Jimmy Kimmel was yanked off air “indefinitely.” Now he’s back — but not everywhere. What does this showdown between the FCC, Disney, and local affiliates really say about free speech in America today?
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Notes for listeners: In the episode, I refer to Disney as a “private company” in the First Amendment context. To be precise: Disney is a publicly traded corporation, but the key distinction here is that it’s not the government. The First Amendment restricts government censorship, not corporate decisions. My larger point stands: even if legal, when corporations cave to political pressure, it erodes the cultural foundation of free speech.
As always, this episode is analysis and commentary — not legal advice. My goal is to help you think critically about the culture of speech, not argue case law.
If you’ve got thoughts on the podcast or where the line between “unconstitutional” and “un-American” really is, I’d love to hear them. Send me a note via email — these conversations matter.
And don’t forget — tomorrow at noon I’ll be back with the Pattern Report, pulling threads on what this week’s stories are really showing us.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
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