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'''Benjamin Swann''' (born July 17, 1978) is an [[United States|American]] [[television news anchor]] and journalist. He has worked in [[New Mexico]], [[Texas]], [[Ohio]], [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref name=awards>{{cite news|title=Ben Swann: KFOX Morning News Anchor/Reporter |publisher=KFOX |date=January 24, 2006 |accessdate=2013-05-06 |url=http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/ben-swann/nJ5LY/ |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130629144711/http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/ben-swann/nJ5LY/ |archivedate=June 29, 2013 |df= }}</ref> While at [[WXIX-TV|Fox affiliate WXIX-TV]] in Cincinnati, Ohio, he began producing a series entitled ''Reality Check'' that has garnered media attention for presenting [[conspiracy theories]] about [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]], the [[Pizzagate conspiracy theory]], and [[vaccine controversies#Autism controversies|scientifically-discredited claims of a link between vaccines and autism]].<ref name=SwannFired>[http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2018/01/29/cbs46s-ben-swann-fired-after-attempt-to-bring-back-reality-check/ CBS46’s Ben Swann fired after attempt to bring back Reality Check]. [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]], 29 January 2017</ref><ref name=NYTSwann>[https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/13/super-pac-backing-jeb-bush-uses-conspiracy-minded-journalist-in-ad/ ‘Super PAC’ Backing Jeb Bush Uses Conspiracy-Minded Journalist in Ad]. ''[[The New York Times]]'', 13 January 2016</ref> After leaving WXIX-TV in 2013, Swann regularly appeared on [[RT America]], part of the Russian state-owned TV network [[RT (TV network)|RT]],<ref>Rodney Ho, [http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2017/01/27/cbs46s-ben-swann-returning-monday-january-30-after-post-pizzagate-hiatus/ CBS46’s Ben Swann returning Monday January 30 after post-‘Pizzagate’ hiatus], ''Atlantic Journal-Constitution'' (January 27, 2017): "The Daily Beast also noted that he had worked for Russia Today, a Russian government funded media operation..."</ref> while independently continuing to produce his show "Reality Check". Swann worked at [[WGCL-TV|CBS affiliate WGCL-TV]] in Atlanta, Georgia as chief evening news anchor from 2015 to 2018.<ref>Rodney Ho. "CBS46 Management Explains Radical Changes Including Five New Anchors June 15." http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2015/06/15/cbs46-management-explains-radical-changes-including-five-new-anchors-june-15/</ref><ref name=":0" />
'''Benjamin Swann''' (born July 17, 1978) is an [[United States|American]] [[television news anchor]] and journalist. He has worked in [[New Mexico]], [[Texas]], [[Ohio]], [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref name=awards>{{cite news|title=Ben Swann: KFOX Morning News Anchor/Reporter |publisher=KFOX |date=January 24, 2006 |accessdate=2013-05-06 |url=http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/ben-swann/nJ5LY/ |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130629144711/http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/ben-swann/nJ5LY/ |archivedate=June 29, 2013 |df= }}</ref> While at [[WXIX-TV|Fox affiliate WXIX-TV]] in Cincinnati, Ohio, he began producing a series entitled ''Reality Check'' that has garnered media attention for presenting [[conspiracy theories]] about [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]]{{Citation needed}}, the [[Pizzagate conspiracy theory]], and [[vaccine controversies#Autism controversies|scientifically-discredited claims of a link between vaccines and autism]].<ref name=SwannFired>[http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2018/01/29/cbs46s-ben-swann-fired-after-attempt-to-bring-back-reality-check/ CBS46’s Ben Swann fired after attempt to bring back Reality Check]. [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]], 29 January 2017</ref><ref name=NYTSwann>[https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/13/super-pac-backing-jeb-bush-uses-conspiracy-minded-journalist-in-ad/ ‘Super PAC’ Backing Jeb Bush Uses Conspiracy-Minded Journalist in Ad]. ''[[The New York Times]]'', 13 January 2016</ref> After leaving WXIX-TV in 2013, Swann regularly appeared on [[RT America]], part of the Russian state-owned TV network [[RT (TV network)|RT]],<ref>Rodney Ho, [http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2017/01/27/cbs46s-ben-swann-returning-monday-january-30-after-post-pizzagate-hiatus/ CBS46’s Ben Swann returning Monday January 30 after post-‘Pizzagate’ hiatus], ''Atlantic Journal-Constitution'' (January 27, 2017): "The Daily Beast also noted that he had worked for Russia Today, a Russian government funded media operation..."</ref> while independently continuing to produce his show "Reality Check". Swann worked at [[WGCL-TV|CBS affiliate WGCL-TV]] in Atlanta, Georgia as chief evening news anchor from 2015 to 2018.<ref>Rodney Ho. "CBS46 Management Explains Radical Changes Including Five New Anchors June 15." http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2015/06/15/cbs46-management-explains-radical-changes-including-five-new-anchors-june-15/</ref><ref name=":0" />


==Education==
==Education==

Revision as of 19:30, 15 May 2018

Ben Swann
Ben Swann speaking at the 2013 Liberty Political Action Conference (LPAC) in Chantilly, Virginia.
Swann in 2013
Born
Benjamin Swann

(1978-07-17) July 17, 1978 (age 45)
El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Alma materBrigham Young University
California State University, Dominguez Hills
OccupationJournalist
TelevisionKFOX-TV/El Paso (1999–2007)
KTSM-TV/El Paso (2008–2010)
WXIX-TV/Newport, KY-Cincinnati (2010–2013)
Newsmax TV (2014)
RT America (2014–2015)
WGCL-TV/Atlanta (2015–2018)
Websitetruthinmedia.com

Benjamin Swann (born July 17, 1978) is an American television news anchor and journalist. He has worked in New Mexico, Texas, Ohio, Washington, D.C., and Georgia.[1] While at Fox affiliate WXIX-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio, he began producing a series entitled Reality Check that has garnered media attention for presenting conspiracy theories about Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting[citation needed], the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, and scientifically-discredited claims of a link between vaccines and autism.[2][3] After leaving WXIX-TV in 2013, Swann regularly appeared on RT America, part of the Russian state-owned TV network RT,[4] while independently continuing to produce his show "Reality Check". Swann worked at CBS affiliate WGCL-TV in Atlanta, Georgia as chief evening news anchor from 2015 to 2018.[5][6]

Education

Swann was homeschooled and earned a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Brigham Young University in 1993, at the age of 15, and a master's degree in History from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1994, at the age of 16.[7][8][9]

Career

Early in his career, Swann was bureau chief in Las Cruces, New Mexico.[7] Swann worked for 11 years in the television market in El Paso, Texas. He first worked at Fox affiliate KFOX-TV as an anchor, reporter, managing editor and photographer.[7][10] In 2008 Swann moved to NBC affiliate KTSM-TV, where he anchored the evening news for almost three years and became one of the top names in the market.[10][11]

During this period, Swann also wrote for CBN News, focusing on Mexico's drug wars on the Texas border.[10][12]

He left El Paso in December 2010 to become a TV news presenter at Cincinnati, Ohio's WXIX-TV Fox 19 Evening News at Six and Fox 19 Ten O'Clock News with Tricia Macke, where he began producing his "Reality Check" fact-checking and media analysis show.[13] During the two and one-half years Swann was part of the news team at WXIX-TV Fox 19, it consistently placed second in ratings in the Cincinnati market.[14]

On October 23, 2012, Swann served as a panel member on a third-party presidential candidates debate hosted by Larry King in Chicago, Illinois, and broadcast on C-SPAN, Al Jazeera America, and online through the sponsorship of the Free & Equal Elections Foundation.[15][16]

On April 9, 2013, Swann announced he would be leaving WXIX-TV Fox 19 on May 31, 2013, and on May 30, 2013, he announced that he would launch a crowdfunding project called "Truth In Media" to continue production of his show "Reality Check" independently through a Chicago, Illinois-based production team. Truth in Media's team includes Rare contributor Kurt Wallace, podcast host Jason Stapleton, blogger Julie Borowski, and CPS whistleblower Carlos Morales.[14][17][18][19] From May 2013 until June 2015, Swann appeared regularly on RT America in Washington, D.C.[6]

From 2015 to 2018 Swann was an evening and late-night anchor for CBS affiliate WGCL-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. He was fired on January 29, 2018, after the station learned that he had been trying to revive "Reality Check" without their knowledge.[20]

"Reality Check"

In addition to news anchoring, Swann is a reporter and media critic. His "Reality Check" show covered controversial stories. The Daily Beast has reported that many of Swann's segments echo talking points from media outlets such as RT and InfoWars that are rarely seen in more mainstream news media.[6] Swann's "Reality Check" segments were uploaded to his YouTube channel and had garnered 10,376,570 views and over 73,500 subscribers before he took his channel offline.[21] One theme of Swann's "Reality Check" has been his support of Ron Paul's presidential campaigns.[22][23] Swann relaunched Reality Check in 2018 shortly after he was fired by CBS46.[24]

Views and claims

Mass shootings

Main articles: 2012 Aurora shooting and Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting conspiracy theories

While working for a Cincinnati-area Fox affiliate WXIX-TV in 2012, Swann suggested on his personal YouTube channel that Adam Lanza was accompanied by another shooter.[25][26] He has said that he had “major problems with the theory” that 2012 Aurora shooting and Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings were conducted by lone gunmen.[6] There is no evidence that any additional shooters were present at the shootings. Some such reports may have been influenced by confused early news reports of the events.[27][28][29]

Pizzagate conspiracy theory

Main article: Pizzagate conspiracy theory

While working for CBS affiliate WGCL-TV, Ben Swann dedicated a "Reality Check" segment to the Pizzagate conspiracy theory that emerged during the 2016 United States presidential election cycle and called for a police investigation of the Pizzagate allegations.[6][30][31][32][33][34] After reporting on the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, Swann was briefly suspended from WGCL-TV and he later closed some of his social media accounts.[35]

Syria conflict and ISIL

Main articles: Syrian civil war and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

In December 2016, Swann aired a segment titled "If (Syrian President Bashar al) Assad is Committing Genocide in Aleppo, Why Are People Celebrating in the Streets?"[6] Swann has sought crowdfunding for an episode titled, “U.S and partners intentionally created ISIS”.[6]

September 11 attacks

Main article: 9/11 conspiracy theories

Swann has questioned whether 7 World Trade Center collapsed on September 11, 2001 the way authorities said it did.[25]

Malaysia Airlines Flight 17

Main article: Malaysia Airlines Flight 17

In an appearance in 2015 RT America, Swann said that “any credible evidence does not seem to exist” that Russia shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.[6]

Russia–United States relations

Main article: Russia–United States relations

Swann has hosted on his personal website posts with headlines such as "Putin: Russian military not threatening anybody, we are protecting our borders" and "Putin demonized for thwarting neocon plan for global domination."[36][37] One such post stated, "For it is a rule which invariably holds true – if the Western elites praise the leader of a foreign country it means he is doing something which is good for those elites and bad for his country. If he’s demonized, as Putin is, it’s the other way round."[36]

Alleged Russian hacking of the DNC and John Podesta's e-mails

Main article: 2016 United States election interference by Russia

Swann hosted a segment on WGCL-TV titled “5 Problems with CIA Claim That Russia Hacked DNC/Podesta Emails.”[6]

Alleged link between vaccines and autism

Main article: Vaccine controversies § Autism controversies

Swann has expressed skepticism of the scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism.[38][39][40] He has said that "despite the official ruling that there is no link between vaccines and autism, there have been at least 83 cases of autism among those compensated for vaccine-induced brain damage."[41] Swann has also said that "the CDC did ... intentionally omit data that demonstrated a connection between an increased risk of autism in African American males who were given the MMR vaccine before 36 months of age."[41] In one of his segments, Swann reported, "as one parent told me, while public statements have been made that there is no research supporting the assertion that vaccines can cause autism, families point to dozens of studies that do find a link between vaccines and autism that public health officials do not share with the public."[42]

Awards

Swann has won awards for his journalism while working as a TV anchor and reporter for local television affiliates. Swann won an RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award in 2004 and a Lone Star Emmy Award in 2005, as well as a journalism award in New Mexico.[8][10][43][44]

References

  1. ^ "Ben Swann: KFOX Morning News Anchor/Reporter". KFOX. January 24, 2006. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-06. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ CBS46’s Ben Swann fired after attempt to bring back Reality Check. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 29 January 2017
  3. ^ ‘Super PAC’ Backing Jeb Bush Uses Conspiracy-Minded Journalist in Ad. The New York Times, 13 January 2016
  4. ^ Rodney Ho, CBS46’s Ben Swann returning Monday January 30 after post-‘Pizzagate’ hiatus, Atlantic Journal-Constitution (January 27, 2017): "The Daily Beast also noted that he had worked for Russia Today, a Russian government funded media operation..."
  5. ^ Rodney Ho. "CBS46 Management Explains Radical Changes Including Five New Anchors June 15." http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2015/06/15/cbs46-management-explains-radical-changes-including-five-new-anchors-june-15/
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Collins, Ben (2017-01-19). "Meet Ben Swann, the Republican Pizzagate Truther Hosting Atlanta's CBS Nightly News". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  7. ^ a b c "Meet Ben Swann, New Fox19 Anchor". Cincinnati.com. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Ben Swann". Fox19. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  9. ^ "Upcoming Events: Ben Swann". Liberty on the Rocks, Houston. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014. A 1993 undergraduate of Brigham Young University, Swann went on to receive his Master's in Humanities from California State University in 1994 at age 16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b c d Seay, Roger. "FOX19 names Ben Swann as new co-anchor". FOX 19 News. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  11. ^ NPT Staff (February 8, 2008). "Media Watch: Swann Flies to a New Station". Newspaper Tree. El Paso, TX: EPmediagroup.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Swann, Ben (July 30, 2010). "Pastors Take Godly Approach on Border Violence". CBN News: World. The Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  13. ^ Gauthier, Andrew (December 13, 2010). "In Cincinnati, Multi-Talented Anchor Prepares for WXIX Debut". TVSpy. WebMediaBrands. Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Kiesewetter, John (May 24, 2013). "A shakeup in exits by Swann, Janson?: Anchors' departures may reshape viewing habits". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  15. ^ Harper, Jennifer (19 October 2012). "Inside the Beltway: Third Party Goes Forth". The Washington Times. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  16. ^ Groer, Annie (24 October 2012). "Third-party candidates finally get their own presidential debate". The Washington Post. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  17. ^ "Ben Swann Leaving Fox 19 Announcement". April 9, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  18. ^ Santilli, Pete (2013-04-12). "Episode #393: Ben Swann Poised To Dominate Alternative Media". The Pete Santilli Show. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  19. ^ "Ben Swann on his new venture, leaving Fox 19 and his favorite stories". Cincinnati.com. May 30, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-30.[dead link]
  20. ^ Ho, Rodney (January 29, 2018). "CBS46's Ben Swann fired after attempt to bring back Reality Check". Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  21. ^ "Ben Swann". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  22. ^ Wemple, Erik (January 19, 2012). "Cincinnati anchor does deep on Paul campaign". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 3, 2013. 'Reality Check' 's probing of national political issues is working for Fox 19.... [The stories] consistently fill out four of the top five traffic-generators for the Fox 19 site.
  23. ^ Gauthier, Andrew (January 20, 2012). "Cincinnati Anchor Gains National Following with Ron Paul 'Reality Check's". TVSpy. WebMediaBrands. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  24. ^ Ho, Rodney (January 31, 2018). "Ben Swann reintroduces his Truth in Media site and Reality Check program". Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  25. ^ a b Haberman, Maggie (January 13, 2016). "'Super PAC' Backing Jeb Bush Uses Conspiracy-Minded Journalist in Ad". The New York Times.
  26. ^ Weigel, David (January 14, 2016). "How a libertarian TV host became the focus of a Bush-Rubio fight". The Washington Post.
  27. ^ "Sandy Hook Exposed". Snopes.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  28. ^ Stuart, Hunter (11 February 2013). "Sandy Hook Hoax Theories Explained: Why Newtown 'Truther' Arguments Don't Hold Up". Huffington Post. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  29. ^ Sieczkowski, Cavan (16 January 2013). "Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theory Video Debunked By Experts". Huffington Post. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  30. ^ Menegus, Bryan. "CBS Imbecile Just Fanned the Pizzagate Flames for No Reason". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  31. ^ "Reality Check with Ben Swann". Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  32. ^ Wemple, Erik; Wemple, Erik (2017-01-18). "CBS affiliate's 'big question': Why no law enforcement investigation of 'Pizzagate' allegations?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  33. ^ "'Why Hasn't Any Investigation Taken Place?' CBS Host Defends Pizzagate Conspiracy". www.mediaite.com. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  34. ^ Editor, Ed Mazza Overnight; Post, The Huffington (2017-01-19). "CBS Affiliate Reignites Debunked Pizzagate Conspiracy Theory". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-01-19. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  35. ^ Ho, Rodney (February 1, 2017). "Ben Swann's Truth in Media site down, Twitter, Instagram, FB accounts gone". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  36. ^ a b Swann, Ben (November 8, 2014). "Putin demonized for thwarting neocon plan for global domination". Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
  37. ^ "Putin: Russian military not threatening anybody, we are protecting our borders". Ben Swann. November 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016.
  38. ^ Bonhoeffer J, Heininger U (2007). "Adverse events following immunization: perception and evidence" (PDF). Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 20 (3): 237–46. doi:10.1097/QCO.0b013e32811ebfb0. PMID 17471032. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-26. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ Boseley, Sarah (February 2, 2010). "Lancet retracts 'utterly false' MMR paper". The Guardian. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  40. ^ Taylor, Luke E.; Swerdfeger, Amy L.; Eslick, Guy D. (June 2014). "Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies". Vaccine. 32 (29): 3623–9. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085. PMID 24814559.
  41. ^ a b Swann, Ben (2014-09-02). "CDC Whistleblower Admits Suppressing Information Regarding Vaccines and Autism". Ben Swann's Truth In Media. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  42. ^ Swann, Ben (2013-12-03). "Truth in Media: Vaccine Court and Autism". Ben Swann's Truth In Media. Retrieved 2017-01-20.
  43. ^ "Outstanding New Segment: Breaking News/Single Story". 2005 Lone Star Emmy Awardees. Lone Star Chapter of the NATAS. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  44. ^ "News Special". 2009 Lone Star Emmy Nominations. Lone Star Chapter of the NATAS. Retrieved May 4, 2013.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Swann&oldid=841425751"