Spreading Ideas: Why Talking to Everyone Matters

CNN's Donie O’Sullivan has had enough of critics who think that journalists should not talk to people with different views. He believes that talking to everyone, even those with controversial beliefs, is important. O’Sullivan is tired of hearing people complain about journalists giving a platform to supporters of Donald Trump or those who believe in conspiracy theories. He thinks these critics are missing the point. O’Sullivan and Elle Reeve, another CNN correspondent, both agree that the idea of not giving a platform to false ideas has not worked. They believe that ignoring these ideas does not make them go away. Reeve thinks that the "no-platforming" concept is flawed and has failed. She argues that it is wrong to dehumanize people and that ignoring their views does not solve the problem. O’Sullivan has a different approach to dealing with misinformation. He is more interested in understanding why people believe false information and how it spreads. He thinks that many of his colleagues want to correct the record, but he believes that understanding the ecosystem of misinformation is more important. He wants to know how people are making money off of spreading false information and why people believe it. O’Sullivan's new podcast, "Persuadable, " explores how people form and sometimes change their beliefs in today's world. The podcast looks at the chaos of information and how it affects people's beliefs. O’Sullivan believes that having a constructive conversation means accepting that people have different beliefs, even if they are wrong. He thinks that trying to change someone's mind or prove them wrong ends the conversation before it begins. O’Sullivan and Reeve both agree that the approach of not giving a platform to false ideas has not worked. They believe that ignoring these ideas does not make them go away. Reeve thinks that the "no-platforming" concept is flawed and has failed. She argues that it is wrong to dehumanize people and that ignoring their views does not solve the problem. They both believe that talking to everyone, even those with controversial beliefs, is important.