Advanced Journalism
7005MAPA
Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Coventry University
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, Canadian Truckers Descend to the Road in Protest of Vaccine Mandates
By Adam Hunt, on 27th January 2022
A weeklong drive across Canada has seen a convoy of trucks arrive in the capital to protest
the country’s vaccine mandates.
What has been titled as the “Freedom Convoy” saw thousands of truckers band together and
traverse Canada from Ottawa to the border of Southern Alberta. Truckers are protesting
against the new legislation being implemented by the Canadian government which would
force them to self-isolate for 2 weeks and complete COVID-19 tests before entering the
northern part of the country. The convoy has so far raised nearly $5 million on the popular
funding site “GoFundMe”.
The convoy also saw backing from more than 1,000 supporters who came out in protest on
the roadside even in severely cold temperatures to have their voices heard. Supporters
gathered in -31 degree wind chills outside Winnipeg protesting what they dubbed
“government overreach”.
Misty Sloan, one of thousands of protesters explained,
“Somebody has to stand up for Canada and the truckers are doing it.”
So far, the convoy has been relatively peaceful as it travelled through Canada. Ottawa police
department have stated they're in regular contact with the convoy organisers who have also
been very cooperative and helpful.
The mainstream media in Canada and the USA have failed to cover the story in very much
detail. The Canadian Prime Minister, Trudeau, has called the convoy and supporters a “fringe
minority” filled with homophobes, racists, and “insurrectionists.”
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,Media outlet, The Times has labelled the convoy as a group of “antivax truckers.” In
retaliation to these farfetched claims, event organisers of the convoy established in a press
conference that the truckers were in fact all vaccinated. The Canadian Trucking Alliance
estimated that 90% of the 120,000 Canadian truckers working cross-border routes are in fact
also vaccinated. For these truckers, the protest is not about vaccines, it’s about freedom of
choice. 1
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/547982-canada-freedom-convoy-media-bias/
ENDS
Word Count: 298
Joe Rogan vs Cancel Culture
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This story is intended for online publication. Possible media outlets include RT, BBC, Sky News and The
independent. This news story continues to develop on daily basis so further stories could easily be extracted
for the respective publications.
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, By Adam Hunt, on 21st February 2022
Joe Rogan once again finds himself in hot water as listeners claim the podcaster spreads
misinformation over Covid-19 and other dangerous conspiracies.
The 54-year-old comedian, podcaster, and martial arts enthusiast procured a lucrative deal
with Spotify worth $200 million. Joe Rogan gains millions of views each month when talking
to controversial guests with alternative views on vaccine mandates, Covid-19 conspiracies,
political standpoints, and mask efficacy. The podcast giant has recently uploaded a short
video explaining,
“My pledge to you, is I will try to do my best to balance out these more controversial
viewpoints with other people’s perspectives so we can find a better point of view.”
Mainstream American media (CNN and MSNBC) proclaim Joe Rogan is a dangerous
spreader of misinformation using his platform to irresponsibly cultivate and promote
dangerous views. An open letter document signed by 270 “scientists” and “doctors” has
condemned the views and opinions expressed on the Joe Rogan podcast.
However, it has surfaced upon closer inspection, that the majority of those who signed cannot
legally practice medicine without supervision. Many signatories included vets, nurses,
Ph.D.s, Ph.D. candidates and even a dentist. The list is composed by a plethora of people,
some of which have some credibility to speak about Covid-19, vaccines, and medical health.
Generally, for a person to contribute to a substantive argument, they first need to earn the
highest degree possible in that field and have relevant experience in the sector.
Essentially the letter is a cry for censorship over credibility, however the document fails to
recognise its own shortcomings not being backed by reputable sources.
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