# Do the powerful create the facts? | Myriam François, Philip Collins, Aaron Maté, Inaya Folarin Iman

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXAzs1MFjsM
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/AXAzs1MFjsM
Generated: 2026-01-08T17:39:11.252+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The powerful, including those running society and owning the media, inherently benefit from hiding the truth, which necessitates that citizens actively seek facts, rather than passively accepting narratives, especially given that facts themselves are shaped by power, history, and existing biases, as illustrated by the recent example of Julian Assange's imprisonment for leaking classified documents.

**Key Points:**
- Powerful people who run society and media have an inherent interest in hiding the truth from the public, necessitating active fact-seeking by citizens.
- Philip Collins argues that eradicating bias from politics is impossible and undesirable, as political discourse is the mechanism for negotiating differing worldviews.
- Myriam François notes that media institutions often present themselves as neutral when they are actually highly biased, shaping facts based on power, history, and established narratives.
- The case of Julian Assange, imprisoned for seven years after leaking classified documents, exemplifies the risks taken by those who expose hidden truths.
- The current information environment, heavily influenced by social media algorithms, tends to confirm existing biases by narrowly exposing users to confirming information.
- The existence of partisan narratives means that facts are not inherently neutral; they are shaped by the political perspective of the teller, requiring the audience to assess the source and intent.

![Screenshot at 00:01: The five panelists, including Aaron Maté \(far right\), Philip Collins \(second left\), and Inaya Folarin Iman \(far left\), are seated on stage before a large audience, setting the scene for a discussion on truth and power.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/AXAzs1MFjsM/00-00-01.jpg)

**Context:** This discussion features journalists and filmmakers Aaron Maté, Philip Collins, Myriam François, Inaya Folarin Iman, and a fourth panelist, engaging in a debate about the nature of truth, power, and media bias in contemporary society. The core issue revolves around whether facts are objective or are instead constructed and controlled by those in power, particularly in political and media contexts.

## Detailed Analysis

The panel discussion centers on the idea that powerful entities—those running society and controlling media outlets—have a vested interest in concealing truths. Aaron Maté argues that one must start from the premise that powerful people who run society have every interest in hiding the truth from us, a situation exacerbated by the fact that we have ample ways to seek the truth without state interference, but powerful actors constantly try to keep us chained and deprived of it. Philip Collins counters that eradicating bias from politics is both impossible and undesirable, as politics is fundamentally how we negotiate differing worldviews and values, suggesting that a shared body of facts is crucial for democracy to function, while acknowledging that disagreements over values are natural. Inaya Folarin Iman points out that many institutions, like the BBC and other Western media, present themselves as neutral when they are actually highly biased, often taking politically charged positions, which is evident in how they framed issues like COVID-19 responses or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where narratives favoring one side are often amplified. Myriam François builds on this by noting that facts are not neutral; they are shaped by political positioning and power dynamics, citing Julian Assange's imprisonment for leaking classified documents as an example of the high cost of exposing hidden truths. She stresses that the modern challenge involves navigating algorithmic silos that confirm biases and constantly reinforcing partisan viewpoints, meaning the public must actively assess sources and be skeptical of perceived objectivity.

### The Nature of Truth in Politics

- Powerful people inherently hide the truth
- Political discourse necessitates negotiating biases, not eliminating them
- A shared body of facts is crucial for functional democracy

### Media Bias and Information Silos

- Institutions often claim neutrality while exhibiting bias (e.g., BBC, Western media)
- Algorithms confine individuals to echo chambers confirming existing biases
- Misinformation campaigns deliberately spread falsehoods, such as those concerning Julian Assange or Israeli-Palestinian conflict narratives

### The Role of the Citizen

- Citizens must actively seek facts rather than passively accept narratives
- Assessing the source and intent behind presented 'facts' is paramount
- Factual interpretation differs based on one's political positioning

![Screenshot at 00:01: The five panelists are introduced at the start of the discussion on truth and power.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/AXAzs1MFjsM/00-00-01.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:18: Philip Collins emphasizes the endemic nature of lying and bias in politics.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/AXAzs1MFjsM/00-00-18.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:34: Myriam François highlights ongoing genocide campaigns and well-funded misinformation efforts regarding Gaza/Israel.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/AXAzs1MFjsM/00-00-34.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:55: Aaron Maté discusses how powerful lies have major consequences for society and the planet, referencing George Orwell's \*Animal Farm\*.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/AXAzs1MFjsM/00-01-55.jpg)
![Screenshot at 09:53: Inaya Folarin Iman discusses how institutions present themselves as neutral when they are often highly politicized, citing examples from the pandemic.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/AXAzs1MFjsM/00-09-53.jpg)