They Stand Corrected

Josh Levs
  • 4.9 (64)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Who fact-checks the news? This show does. Today’s news media prioritizes sensational clickbait over basic facts. Instead of fighting for truth, billion-dollar news giants spread misinformation from both ends of the political spectrum. They Stand Corrected is the show for people who want the truth. Josh Levs, former NPR journalist and CNN lead on-air fact checker, breaks down top stories and tells you what the media’s getting wrong. He provides links, documents, and more to prove it. Unafraid to take on news giants, hate movements, and liars of all kinds, Levs delivers the two ingredients of truth: facts plus context. Listeners call the show “the standard of truth,” “necessary,” and “an absolute must listen for all.”

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 128: Laundering Antizionism: Inside A Hate Movement with Adam Louis-Klein

    How did the mainstream media become a tool of today’s biggest hate movement? Today, a leading expert joins Josh to explain how the Antizionist Hate Movement used the nexus between academia and journalism to launder its lies. An academic and expert on how societies develop, Adam Louis-Klein is now leading the Movement Against Antizionism. His own story is instructive. He was a Communist and left-wing activist who went off to do research on an indigenous community. When he reconnected to the world two days after the October 7 massacres, he discovered his communities celebrating the terrorists. “Antizionist narratives were there from the beginning — the entire complex of the delegitimization of Israel, the erasure of Jewish peoplehood,” he explains. In this eye-opening, mind-expanding interview, Adam explains why fighting this hate movement requires a whole new strategy. He argues that it’s time to stop explaining why it’s antisemitic, and start making clear to the world that Israel-loathing is an “abusive complex.” He describes how academia, NGOs and the media have turned “epistemic authority” into a “tool of power.” Plus Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan faces calls for her death for saying something true. And the Boston Globe’s hilarious, viral story about a lesbian bar shows how hate movements turn on themselves.  Visit the newsletter at the new, shorter domain! TheyStandCorrected.com. Contribute: ☕BuyMeACoffee.com/joshlevs, PayPal.me/JoshLevs Support the show by using these unique links, thanks to sponsors: Subscribe for updates on Disputed Territory, a new podcast on Israel: bit.ly/4xRtSSa Jewish? Discover Hebrew with the Shema Initiative: bit.ly/4g78Acv Bookings, web form: joshlevs.com Please subscribe✅, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and review✍️!

  2. Sep 23

    Episode 127: Macklemore, Mahdawi and the Media

    When the media decides to present someone as a victim, there’s almost always no turning back. No matter how wrong they turn out to be, no matter how much evidence disproves the narrative, the media doubles down. We’ve seen that in recent days with a rapper known as Macklemore. Today, Josh explains that the media is completely wrong about him.  Macklemore praised violent pro-terror mobs at Columbia University. A leader of that movement is also a media darling, Mohsen Mahdawi. A new 100-page report proves that the media’s portrayals of him are pure fiction. In this episode, independent journalists David Collier and Rachel Feldman join Josh to talk about how they uncovered the truth. They discuss “crickets” from the media, historic failures, and how people can get the word out. Interestingly, it involves local school boards. Plus the New York Times blames an editing error for an offensive, wildly wrong claim in a report. But why is it that the Times’ supposed mistakes always point in the same direction? And Josh breaks down the hypocrisy in the battle over press access to the White House. Visit the newsletter at the new, shorter domain! TheyStandCorrected.com. Jewish? Discover Hebrew with the Shema Initiative. Thanks to a sponsor, you’ll help support the show. bit.ly/4g78Acv Contribute: ☕BuyMeACoffee.com/joshlevs, PayPal.me/JoshLevs Bookings, web form: joshlevs.com Please subscribe✅, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and review✍️!

  3. Sep 16

    Episode 126: America’s Most Unpopular

    If you picture America as the news describes it, which political figures do you think are popular? A new survey shows the actual popularity — in most cases, unpopularity — of political figures. It exposes the massive disconnect between the media and reality. Media darlings are among the most unpopular political figures in America. Today, Josh explains why this is such an important reality check about where Americans really stand.  Also, the Wall Street Journal has run a new, anonymously-sourced hit piece on Senator John Fetterman. Josh digs up what the paper’s top editor has said about anonymity, and explains why allowing it in this case doesn’t seem to make sense. Plus, the giant part of the Fetterman story that just about everyone leaves out. It’s a sign not just of what one lawmaker faces, but of today’s political culture. Plus, a researcher from an elite university publishes a new report quantifying the New York Times’ bias, and a listener asks Josh about comment sections. Thanks to sponsors: Simply open this news article, and Alums for Campus Fairness will help support the show: bit.ly/4yul45s Jewish? Discover Hebrew with the Shema Initiative: bit.ly/4g78Acv Get the newsletter at TheyStandCorrected.substack.com. Wish Josh/the show a happy new year by locking in a full year at a meaningful rate! Contribute: ☕BuyMeACoffee.com/joshlevs, PayPal.me/JoshLevs Bookings, web form: joshlevs.com Please subscribe✅, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and review✍️!

  4. Sep 9

    Episode 125: 9/11 ‘Terror’ Walkback

    A powerful news agency heard people’s complaints and changed its stance on 9/11. Now, it says, its journalists may call the September 11th attacks what they were: terrorism. But that doesn’t solve the problem. In fact, with its new guidance, the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) just showed how its rules make no sense.  Today, Josh explains that this is a hole news agencies have dug for themselves by trying to create an imaginary world in which they can’t simply call terrorism by its name. He talks through the two simple options news agencies have, and how their constant failure to make a choice skews their coverage of global events. As the 25th anniversary arrives, Josh explains what we’re likely to see, and not see, from the media. Plus, how U.S. and Israeli intelligence are essential in thwarting terror attacks. To those of you who lost loved ones on 9/11, thoughts with you. Also in this episode, hear a U.S. official attempt to blow a shofar! To those of you who celebrate the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, wishing you a sweet new year. 🍎🍯  Wish the show a happy new year (“shanah tovah”) by getting a one-year subscription for a special, meaningful rate: TheyStandCorrected.substack.com Support: ☕BuyMeACoffee.com/joshlevs, PayPal.me/JoshLevs Bookings, web form: joshlevs.com Please subscribe✅, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and review✍️!

  5. Sep 2

    Episode 124: Natural Disasters & Democracy

    The flooding in Nepal and Tibet is the latest in a string of natural disasters showing the vulnerability of so many people. In news coverage, the media is missing what may be the most important point of all: what it takes to strengthen societies against these events.  Today, Josh explains why democratic societies do a much better job of protecting and saving lives in natural disasters. As the United States faces growing anti-democratic forces from both the right and the left, it isn’t just our societal structures that could topple; it’s our buildings, too.  Plus, as the anniversary approaches, a news giant has told its reporters not to refer to the 9/11 attacks as terrorism. Josh breaks down the many things wrong with that decision, and discusses why it’s a reflection of a dangerous shift at the heart of society. Josh has sent the news agency a series of questions, which he shares today. Also, more from last week’s guest, Professor Shai Davidai. He and Josh discuss a trick news agencies sometimes play.  Get the Newsletter: TheyStandCorrected.substack.com Support: ☕BuyMeACoffee.com/joshlevs, PayPal.me/JoshLevs Bookings, web form: joshlevs.com Please subscribe✅, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and review✍️!

  6. Sep 2

    Episode 123: Fighting Back When the Media Targets You, with Shai Davidai

    What do you do if you’re interviewed and want to make sure your words don’t get twisted? Or what if you’re not even interviewed, but suddenly find yourself in the news anyway? That can happen to anyone at any time. Today, Josh highlights examples, and explains why in this era, people need to be empowered about how to handle the media.  He talks through it with a man who learned the hard way. Shai Davidai was a professor at Columbia. When radicals who support Islamist terror overtook the campus, he tried to get the word out. But a news giant declared him a controversial figure — which led to threats and dangers.  In this conversation, Shai divulges details no one knows about what he went through with The New York Times, 60 Minutes under the previous CBS leadership, and other outlets. He explains how he recently got the Times to correct a story almost immediately. “They’ve realized from my track record that I don’t keep my mouth shut, and I stand up to bullies,” he says. He has a new book coming out, American Intellectual Antisemitism. Plus: why Josh can’t stop laughing about a tragicomic lawsuit, the ways major publishers are effectively boycotting Jewish truth-tellers, and have elite universities gotten any better?  Get the Newsletter: TheyStandCorrected.substack.com Support: ☕BuyMeACoffee.com/joshlevs, PayPal.me/JoshLevs Bookings: joshlevs.com Sponsor: 📖 Jewish? The Shema Initiative will teach you to read Hebrew: bit.ly/4g78Acv Please subscribe✅, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and review✍️!

  7. Aug 19

    Episode 122: Secret Plane Switch

    It’s a big story involving alleged life and death stakes: Were the Secret Service and the president willing to risk the lives of journalists and staffers? Before taking off from Turkey recently, President Trump and a few aides were secretly snuck out of the plane and into another military aircraft, amid a security threat from Iran.  Members of the media say the president and Secret Service used them, as well as other White House staffers, as decoys, endangering them. But presidents have done similar things before. How different was this case? The reporting has been filled with conjecture. Today, Josh pieces through the claims to find the facts. He speaks with Joe Lockhart, who was press secretary for President Clinton in 2000 during another plane switcheroo. Then, Josh explains how the media missed a giant opportunity to educate people about big developments in American security, foreign threats, and a world-shaping event in the 20th century.  Plus, another group is caught stealthily removing terrorists from its list of so-called “journalists” killed in Gaza. But it’s leaving others on the list. Josh shows why these two stories together demonstrate how the media is endangering its own safety. Get the Newsletter: TheyStandCorrected.substack.com Support: ☕BuyMeACoffee.com/joshlevs, PayPal.me/JoshLevs Bookings: joshlevs.com Sponsor: 📖 Jewish? The Shema Initiative will teach you to read Hebrew: bit.ly/4g78Acv Please subscribe✅, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and review✍️!

  8. Aug 12

    Episode 121: El-Sayed & Existential Threats

    The narrow victory of left-wing candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary exposed a fault line in America. Some people who recognize his problems with antisemitism say Democrats should now support him anyway. They argue that MAGA is an “existential threat” to the United States, so any Democrat will do.  Today, Josh shatters that myth, laying out how a left-wing movement presents an existential threat to the nation, and El-Sayed is their new poster child. Josh pieces through the candidate’s blatant lies that fuel violent antisemitism, “shocking” video that pretends Islamist terrorism doesn’t exist, funding from groups linked to terror, and more.  Then, Josh shares the truth about the Democratic Socialists of America, which backs El-Sayed. The DSA openly calls for the American democratic system of government to no longer exist. It also celebrates the terrorists who carried out the October 7 massacres. The central political battle is no longer left versus right, Josh says. It’s about people who stand for democracy against those who don’t.  Plus, an update on the war between Russia and Ukraine; the U.N. makes a big admission about Gaza; and a new, horrific attack on Christians in Africa. Actions, thanks to sponsors: 🎓Colleges and universities should teach ethical leadership, not radicalize students. Sign up to learn about this group leading the good fight: bit.ly/4ygcb05.  📖 Jewish? The Shema Initiative will teach you to read Hebrew: bit.ly/4g78Acv Newsletter: TheyStandCorrected.substack.com Support: ☕BuyMeACoffee.com/joshlevs, PayPal.me/JoshLevs Bookings: joshlevs.com Please subscribe✅, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and review✍️!

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About

Who fact-checks the news? This show does. Today’s news media prioritizes sensational clickbait over basic facts. Instead of fighting for truth, billion-dollar news giants spread misinformation from both ends of the political spectrum. They Stand Corrected is the show for people who want the truth. Josh Levs, former NPR journalist and CNN lead on-air fact checker, breaks down top stories and tells you what the media’s getting wrong. He provides links, documents, and more to prove it. Unafraid to take on news giants, hate movements, and liars of all kinds, Levs delivers the two ingredients of truth: facts plus context. Listeners call the show “the standard of truth,” “necessary,” and “an absolute must listen for all.”

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