Top Reasons Not to Trust the Mainstream Media

Shocking Insights from Canadian Journalist Tara Henley

The past few years have exposed serious flaws in mainstream media coverage. From the COVID-19 pandemic to political narratives and cultural debates, media institutions have often failed to provide balanced, accurate reporting. This failure has led to widespread public distrust. Here are some of the most glaring examples of why mainstream media has lost credibility.

1. The Lab Leak Theory Flip-Flop

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the media dismissed the idea that the virus could have originated from a lab in Wuhan, China. Headlines like CBC’s "No, the new coronavirus wasn’t created in a lab. Scientists say" (March 24, 2020) framed any discussion of a lab leak as a conspiracy theory. Those who suggested otherwise were censored on social media and labeled as racists or misinformation spreaders.

Fast forward to 2025, and the Associated Press, in collaboration with CBC, reported "CIA believes COVID most likely originated from a lab, but has low confidence in its own findings" (January 26, 2025). This complete reversal raises serious questions about why early dissenting voices were silenced rather than investigated.

As journalist Tara Henley noted, “This particular story really rankles. People are upset because it wasn’t just dismissed—it was vilified. And now we see that those calling it a conspiracy theory had vested financial and professional interests in covering up this story.”

2. The Vaccine Transmission Misinformation

In July 2021, CBC published an article titled "Yes, vaccines curb COVID-19 transmission, but that's not enough to protect those without a shot." This echoed the dominant narrative that getting vaccinated prevented transmission. Those who questioned this claim were labeled as anti-science and anti-vaxxers.

However, by July 2022, CBC had shifted its messaging, publishing a piece titled "You'll likely catch COVID again and again. Will each round feel milder?" This contradicted their previous reporting, admitting that vaccines did not effectively stop transmission.

Tara Henley explained, “It was already clear when I was at the CBC that the vaccines, for whatever their benefits, were not stopping transmission and infection. Yet the dominant narrative was so strong that these contradictions weren’t openly discussed.”

3. The Trucker Convoy and Emergencies Act Overreach

The 2022 Freedom Convoy protests against COVID-19 mandates were met with extreme hostility from mainstream media. Protesters were painted as violent extremists, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to freeze bank accounts of supporters.

The media largely failed to question whether this extreme response was justified. Later, an official inquiry revealed that intelligence did not support the claim that the protests posed a national security threat. Despite this, mainstream media outlets have refused to reexamine their coverage or acknowledge their role in stoking division.

4. The Infamous "Mask During Sex" Advisory

One of the most absurd moments in pandemic coverage came when Canada’s Chief Medical Officer suggested that individuals engaging in intimate activities should wear masks during sex to reduce COVID-19 transmission. This statement was widely mocked, yet many media outlets published it without scrutiny or critical analysis.

“Last time I checked, that story is still up on many mainstream sites without any context or questions,” Henley pointed out. “This kind of reporting—where official guidance is treated as unquestionable truth—contributes to public distrust.”

5. The Biden Cognitive Health Cover-Up

In early July 2024, mainstream media outlets like CNN, MSNBC, and The Rolling Stone reported that "Biden is sharp as a tack" and dismissed concerns about his cognitive health as right-wing propaganda.

Yet, just weeks later, Biden’s disastrous debate performance led to him dropping out of the U.S. presidential race. This abrupt turn of events made it clear that independent media—which had been raising concerns about Biden’s mental acuity for years—was correct, while mainstream outlets had misled the public.

Henley noted, “This story is pivotal. Independent press was reporting on Biden’s decline for years, while mainstream outlets ignored or outright denied it. The debate was a rude awakening for those who had only been following legacy media.”

6. Suppression of Dissenting Voices

Beyond specific stories, mainstream media institutions have cultivated a culture of silencing dissent. Those who question dominant narratives on issues like gender policy, environmental regulations, or government overreach are often ridiculed or blacklisted rather than engaged in open debate.

“There’s a real lack of awareness among mainstream journalists about the diversity of perspectives that exist,” Henley said. “And that’s a huge liability.”

The Need for Media Accountability

Trust in the media is at an all-time low, and for good reason. When narratives shift without acknowledgment, when dissenting voices are demonized, and when media institutions act as enforcers of political orthodoxy rather than neutral arbiters of truth, the public suffers.

Journalistic integrity demands accountability. The mainstream media must revisit past mistakes, issue corrections, and recommit to impartiality. Until that happens, the public has every reason to remain skeptical.

As Henley aptly put it, “We have to find a way as a country to reconcile these big stories. Ignoring them is not making them go away.”