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Today has started off as a slow news day.
Megyn
Kelly interview with Alex Jones raises controversy
Some people
have called for a boycott of the network
12
June, 2017
Families
from one of the US’s most notorious school shootings have reacted
with outcry after NBC broadcast an interview with a leading
conspiracy theorist who said the incident never happened and that
parents faked their children's deaths.
Alex
Jones, host of the Infowars, has claimed over the years that the US
government was involved in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the
attacks of 9/11. He also said the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook
that left 26 people dead, including 20 children, never happened.
Actually, in our sit-down @RealAlexJones describes self as a libertarian who "likes what republicans stand for" but has issues w/them 2.
Mr
Jones has now repeated his comments, including about what he says
never happened at the elementary school in Connecticut, in an
interview to NBC’s Megyn Kelly. Ms Kelly, who earlier this year
quit Fox News, started by asking him if he was the most paranoid
person in the country.
She
said he had made his reputation by spreading conspiracy theories,
including the claim that Sandy Hook did not happen.
“When
you say parents faked their children's deaths, people get upset,”
she said.
Mr
Jones responded: “But they don’t get angry about half-a-million
dead Iraqis killed by sanctions.”
Ms
Kelly told Mr Jones that his response was “a dodge”. He denied
it, adding: “I looked at all the angles about Newtown, I made my
statement before the other media picked it up.”
Ms
Kelly’s decision to to provide a platform to Mr Jones had raised
questions even before she released parts of the interview ahead of
its broadcast, scheduled for June 18.
When
it emerged Ms Jones had defended his views about Sandy Hook, an
incident he said was staged with the use of child actors, some of the
parents of the youngsters and teachers killed, wrote to NBC and Ms
Kelly, expressing their outrage.
The
family of slain teacher Vicki Soto, posted a letter on Facebook,
saying they were "disgusted and disappointed" in the
decision to air the interview.
“Alex
and his followers have done nothing but make our lives a living hell
for the last four-and-a-half,” they said.
Alex
Jones says Manchester victims are a bunch of 'liberal trendies'
“This
incessant need for ratings at the cost of the emotional well-being of
our family is disgusting and disappointing. You should be ashamed of
yourselves for allowing this behaviour.”
Nelba
Marquez-Greene, whose six-year-old daughter, Ana Grace, was among
those killed, said she feared the interview with Mr Jones would
encourage other conspiracy theorists who have harassed her and
accused her of being part of a hoax.
POTUS's been on & praises @RealAlexJones' show. He's giving Infowars a WH press credential. Many don't know him; our job is 2 shine a light.
“Any
time you give someone like Alex Jones a platform, their followers
will double-down or increase their attack on grieving families,”
she told the Associated Press.
“You
can’t just put him in a box and say he's just a character. He’s
really hurting people.”
Ms
Kelly has reportedly defended the decision to interview Mr Jones by
saying it her job to “shine a light”.
NBC
did not immediately respond to inquiries.
And Christopher Green -
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