Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz’s daughter, Hope Walz, said in a recent interview that the new media bears an ethical responsibility because of its relatability and accessibility. In her sit-down on the One Hour Detours podcast with John O’Sullivan, Walz said that people see themselves in content creators like Nick Shirley and are more inclined to trust them than traditional journalists.
Her comments came in response to reporting from independent journalist Shirley, whose status as a journalist Walz later questions. In his 42-minute documentary posted on X and YouTube, Shirley alleged that several Minnesota daycares received millions of taxpayer dollars while providing no services. “Literally billions of dollars have been funneled through Somali ran fraudulent businesses,” Shirley said. “So much fraud it could actually almost replace the entire GDP of Somalia.”
Nick Shirley from his Minnesota fraud documentary – Nick Shirley, YouTube
However, while Walz admits that “there’s enough truth to the fraud claim like things,” she says that Trump and his supporters have twisted and amplified the issue for their own benefit. Now, as her father and the Somali community in Minnesota are under increased scrutiny, Walz says that Shirley’s reporting was unethical. “You can’t just go and do this to people,” she said.
The main issue, as she presents it, is not that Shirley made factual errors. The problem, she argues, is not whether the facts are true, but whether reporting them is responsible. Reporting the truth, in her estimation, should be filtered through the consequences of making it public — and who is qualified to do so.
Questioning Who is Qualified
Walz said that “they” want to make Shirley into the next Charlie Kirk, claiming that he exists in the same right-wing media ecosystem. Going further, she compared the audience for his content to those who question some preventive medical treatments. “They’re not going to believe anyone but the least qualified people, it seems,” she said, adding that Shirley “fit the bill.”
Charlie Kirk on his YouTube channel – YouTube, Charlie Kirk
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Just what qualifies an individual to expose fraud and who should confer that authority wasn’t addressed. However, O’Sullivan mentioned “the aesthetic of the person on their phone,” noting that “it feels more trustworthy than the news to some people.” It was an observation with which Walz readily agreed.
Ethical responsibility in journalism has traditionally been defined by reporting facts based on evidence from clear sources. New media journalists may have found a way to create a sense of immediacy and authenticity by becoming “the person on their phone.” But if the facts are sound, the aesthetic doesn’t make the reporting any more or less legitimate.
When asked what frustrates her about legacy media, Walz didn’t hold back. Her comments also shed more light on how she feels about new media journalists, ethical responsibility, and authority.
A Matter of Narrative Control
“I get really frustrated on this obsession with fairness,” Walz said. “Like, ‘Oh, we have to play both sides.’ And I’m like, well, when one side is completely crazy and living in delusion and one side is like reasonable and living in fact, like, you don’t play both sides. You report the facts.”
It’s telling, after her remarks saying that new media journalists should only work within certain boundaries and then comparing Shirley’s audience to those who she feels deny modern medicine, that she would suggest that the legacy media ignore certain voices.
John O’Sullivan and Hope Walz – One Hour Detours, YouTube
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As the media landscape becomes more fragmented, the issue of who has the legitimacy to exert narrative control is taking center stage. The question is increasingly less, “Is this true?” than it is, “Who gets to speak—and who decides?”
What do you think of Hope Walz’s comments? Let us know in the comments!
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Tell me where the mean ol’ citizen journalist touched you :(
She’s just butthurt because Nick’s reporting of facts ended daddy political career and her spigot for riches and fame. Don’t worry chickadee, daddy can still try writing a memoir talking about how he was done dirty and the DNC will buy enough to make it on to the NY Times Best Seller list.
I did watch the above mentioned video, and with all things social media, you need to be skeptical.
However, IF Nick Shirley has proper documentation for his accusations and questions, obtained from public record, there is nothing that should stop him from shining a light on these cockroaches.
What Nick has “reported” is modus operandi for Somalis all over the world, they do not want to work, they do not want to assimilate or integrate, they mostly live off of fraud and wellfare scams as well as more serious crimes.
Look at Sweden and how the Somalis there are killers for hire organzied through street gangs.
Look at European crime statistics and socio economic stats at how “well” Somalis are doing in Europe..
America should NEVER have let them in, as you will never get rid of them again, and they will cost you dearly in expenses ranging from wellfare and healthcare to prison expenses..
This Hope character is the epitome of “white privilege”.. See, now this is the proper use of the term!!!!
The big question I have is if Shirley did his checks during the typical holiday break. Cause, ya know, the generally devoutly Muslim Somalia’s, take Christmas time seriously. But it could be used as air cover.
“I get really frustrated on this obsession with fairness,” Walz said. “Like, ‘Oh, we have to play both sides.’ And I’m like, well, when one side is completely crazy and living in delusion and one side is like reasonable and living in fact, like, you don’t play both sides. You report the facts.“
As a typically obtuse liberal, she’s right. AND as that typical person she has the sides completely switched.
I remember “Fritz and Tits” for mondale and ferraro when I was a kid………. but “Tampon Timmy”, hands down, is THE greatest handle ever applied to a politician.
She knows she’s going to jail eventually. The whole Walz family is a criminal empire.