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While we are on the subject of giving standing to the crazed, it seems that Megan Kelly, in her new and sexual harassment-free position at NBC, is going to broadcast an interview with Infowars conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. This has caused some consternation, as you can see in an opinion piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. [post-gazette.com]

The Daily Beast [thedailybeast.com] suggests Megyn is being played, and the interview is part of a ratings ploy. (What did we used to call clickbait on Television?)

But an interesting argument is made by Charlie Warzel at BuzzFeed: [buzzfeed.com]

The argument behind the outrage suggests that featuring Jones on a primetime network television interview show is an irresponsible use of a powerful news platform. To sit Jones across from one of America's most recognizable (and highest-paid) news personalities is to legitimize a man with fringe views that many find abhorrent. Furthermore, they note, such exposure could theoretically extend Jones’ reach; what if malleable minds see something they like in Jones' interview and become fans or regular viewers?

It’s a valid argument, but one that misunderstands the media’s role in the Trump era — not to mention Jones’ role inside the pro-Trump media ecosystem. Like it or not, Alex Jones is an architect of our current political moment, and as such, the mainstream media shouldn’t try to shield its audience from him or pretend he doesn’t exist — it should interrogate him.

So what is the proper position to take on the mainstreaming of the wacko right? We have already seen the results of interrogating Jones in his recent court case. And of course, Alex Jones is now calling for his own interview with Kelly to be pulled.

The Sandy Hook conspiracy seems to be the main point of contention.

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