JRE 1316 · June 26, 2019

Abby Martin

politicshistorymediajournalismmilitary

Who is Abby Martin?

Abby Martin is a journalist and host of the “The Empire Files” — http://theempirefiles.tv The Empire Files documentary "Gaza Fight For Freedom" will be available soon. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG29FnXZm4F5U8xpqs1cs1Q

Topics and Timestamps

01Abby Martin discusses her investigative journalism work and The Empire Files documentary series
02Conversation covers media bias and how mainstream outlets cover international conflicts
03Discussion of Gaza and Palestinian issues, including her documentary 'Gaza Fight For Freedom'
04Abby explains how independent journalism differs from corporate news narratives
05Topics include U.S. foreign policy, imperialism, and how it's covered or ignored by major media
06Joe and Abby explore the challenges of being an independent journalist in the modern media landscape
▶Abby introduces The Empire Files and her documentary work0:00:00
▶Discussion of mainstream media coverage versus independent journalism0:15:30
▶Abby discusses the Gaza Fight For Freedom documentary project0:35:00
▶Conversation about the challenges of funding independent documentary work0:55:00
▶Deep dive into U.S. foreign policy narratives and media coverage1:10:00

The Show

In JRE 1316, Joe sits down with investigative journalist Abby Martin to discuss her work with The Empire Files, an independent documentary series that takes a deep dive into geopolitical conflicts and U.S. foreign policy. Martin brings her experience as a former RT anchor and current independent producer to the table, offering perspectives on how mainstream media fails to cover crucial international stories.

The conversation centers heavily on the role of journalism in shaping public understanding of complex geopolitical issues. Abby breaks down how corporate media outlets often serve as extensions of state narratives rather than questioning official stories. She discusses the challenges of producing independent documentaries, particularly on sensitive topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how funding and distribution become major obstacles when your work challenges establishment narratives.

Martin's upcoming documentary 'Gaza Fight For Freedom' becomes a focal point, with discussion about what drives her to keep producing this type of investigative content despite the professional risks. Joe asks pointed questions about how journalists navigate the pressure to either conform to mainstream narratives or be labeled as biased or fringe. The episode explores the tension between truth-telling and career survival in modern media.

Abby explains the mechanics of how U.S. foreign policy gets covered or, more often, ignored by mainstream outlets. She discusses specific examples of American interventions and how the narrative gets shaped for domestic consumption. The conversation touches on imperialism, economic interests driving foreign policy, and the role of corporate interests in shaping what stories get told.

Throughout the discussion, both Joe and Abby acknowledge the difficulty of finding reliable information in an increasingly fractured media landscape. They discuss the difference between independent journalism with limited resources and well-funded corporate operations that often have less interest in truth and more interest in serving their corporate owners' interests. The episode presents a compelling argument for why independent documentaries and journalism matter, even when they're harder to find and fund.

Best Quotes

“Independent journalism matters because it's not beholden to corporate interests or government narratives”

— Abby Martin