New Yorker writer Andrew Marantz (tweet him at @andrewmarantz), who distinguished himself recently by calling for the suppression of free speech [Free Speech Is Killing Us, NYT, October 8, 2019], has today published a book Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation about the “dangers” of social media uncontrolled by Main Stream Media gatekeepers. I haven’t read it yet, but here’s a telling exchange I had with his fact checker. I’ve redacted the fact checker’s email address, he’s just doing what he’s told.

From: Book Checker <xxxxx@xxxx.com >
Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2019 9:03 AM
To: Peter Brimelow <pbrimelow@vdare.com>
Subject: Fact checking book by Andrew Marantz

Hi Peter,

I am fact checking a book by New Yorker writer Andrew Marantz that will be coming out this fall. There's some information about you in the book that I'd like to check with you by phone. Do you have 10 minutes or so to chat with me either tomorrow, Friday, May 3 or some time next week? If you let me know a good day/time to call and the best number to reach you I'll give you a call then.

Thanks so much!

I replied on May 3, 2019 at 11:33 AM:

Sure, just email questions. Traveling, may not be able to answer till Sunday or Monday

This came back:

From: Book Checker <xxxxx@xxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2019 11:57:26 AM
To: Peter Brimelow
Subject: Re: Fact checking book by Andrew Marantz

Hi Peter, 

The writer and publisher have asked that I do all interviews by phone, no emailed questions. Is there a time on Monday or Tuesday we can talk by phone? It'll only take 10 minutes or so. Otherwise, I'll have to check the info from other sources.

Thanks!

Emphasis added.

I asked, quite reasonably, May 3, 2019 at 12:32 PM

Why have they done that?

The email I got back didn’t offer an explanation:

From: Book Checker <xxxxx@xxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2019 12:48 PM
To: Peter Brimelow <pbrimelow@vdare.com>
Subject: Re: Fact checking book by Andrew Marantz

Hi Peter,

This is what was requested. Can you let me know if any time on Monday or Tuesday works for you and a number at which to reach you?

Thanks

My reply:

From: Peter Brimelow
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2019 1:09 PM
To: Book Checker <xxxxx@xxxx.com>
Subject: Re: Fact checking book by Andrew Marantz

I know it’s been requested. My question is why. If you can’t give me a good reason, it’s email or nothing. This isn’t personal, but we have no reason to think MSM operates in good faith.

Needless to say, I heard nothing further.

Of course, it is devastating to Main Stream Media hacks (and their book publishers) when their traditional tricks are exposed (see here, here,  here,  here, and here).

In response, they seem to be changing “Journalism Ethics” rules. We’ve recently noted that they no longer feel the need go through the ritual of contacting the victims they intend to abuse to give them an opportunity to respond.

But it also now appears they want to restrict interactions to the telephone (recording phone calls is not legal in my home state) which course maximizes their opportunity (as Rep. Steve King belatedly discovered) TO FLAT-OUT LIE.

Which is why we say (and the term far predates the Nazis) #LyingPress.