Former CBS News journalist Brittney Hopper reported facing repercussions for challenging Dr. Anthony Fauci during the COVID-19 pandemic’s peak. Hopper, speaking with News24 in Australia, discussed Fauci’s use of the Fifth Amendment over 100 times at a congressional hearing, opting not to answer numerous questions.
Referring to her past experiences, Hopper, who worked with CBS News Los Angeles until 2022, expressed her observations about Fauci’s status among mainstream media and her own reporting history involving him.
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Hopper shared that she faced pushback at the network when she attempted to question Fauci’s actions. “I was actively reporting on COVID for CBS, often on the front lines. After engaging with Fauci on several occasions, I began questioning his directives. This led to my removal from on-air duties for a brief period,” she mentioned.
She added that there was an expectation to adhere strictly to the narratives endorsed by major media outlets. She admitted to following directives but believed this compromised journalistic integrity.
Hopper pointed out the mainstream media’s support for Fauci despite contradicting evidence. During the hearing, where Fauci evoked the Fifth Amendment often, Hopper deemed such actions a potential eye-opener to his pandemic knowledge.
“This might serve as a realization for global news agencies,” she stated. “Initially, with limited information, many were uncertain about COVID measures like social distancing and mask-wearing. However, once research emerged, the media’s embrace of Fauci without scrutiny instilled fear in the public.”
Hopper wasn’t surprised by Fauci’s hearing demeanor, yet she hoped the situation clarified his role and decisions during the health crisis.
An example of the controversy surrounding Fauci includes his private diary entries from 2020, revealing recommendations for COVID lockdowns contrary to his public claims of non-endorsement in 2022. These contradictions drew criticism from both GOP lawmakers and the media.
For story insights, Lindsay Kornick, associate editor for Fox News Digital, can be contacted at [email protected] or on Twitter: @lmkornick.
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