On the Media: "The Oldest Trick" – Detailed Summary

Released on December 2, 2022 by WNYC Studios

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Oldest Trick," On the Media delves into the persistent issues of antisemitism intertwined with other forms of prejudice in America and explores groundbreaking investigative journalism that brought justice to the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17). Hosted by Brooke Gladstone, the episode features insightful conversations with Leo Ferguson of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Roman Dobrokhotov of The Insider, and Christo Grozev of Bellingcat.

I. Antisemitism in Modern America

A. The Intersection of Antisemitism and Other Prejudices

Brooke Gladstone opens the discussion by highlighting the resurgence of antisemitism in the media landscape. She introduces Leo Ferguson, the Director of Strategic Projects at Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, to unpack the complexities of contemporary antisemitism.

• Trump's Controversial Dinner: Ferguson discusses former President Donald Trump's recent dinner with known antisemites, including Nick Fuentes and Ye (formerly Kanye West). He states, “Nick Fuentes,...has a premeditated political project wishing violence upon Jews” (02:19).

• Ye's Antisemitic Remarks: The conversation shifts to Ye's troubling interview with Alex Jones, where Ye makes incoherent and offensive statements about Jews. Ferguson remarks, “Ye... clearly feels this. This is someone who has some really deep animosity in his heart” (03:33).

B. Historical Context and Media Coverage

Ferguson provides a historical perspective, referencing James Baldwin’s poignant critique of antisemitism in the African American community. He emphasizes that antisemitism has deep roots, stating, “Antisemitism has been a defining feature of Western culture for at least 2000 years” (07:10).

• Normalization in Media: The discussion highlights how celebrities and public figures amplifying antisemitic sentiments contribute to its normalization. Ferguson warns against the media's focus on sensational antisemitic acts without addressing the underlying systemic issues.

• False Equivalency: A significant point raised is the media's tendency to create false equivalencies between antisemitism on the left and right. Ferguson asserts, “The right in the United States has built its coalition intentionally on the back of white Christian nationalist ideology. There is no equivalent of that on the left” (17:00).

C. Impact and Solutions

• Nuanced Reporting: Ferguson advocates for nuanced journalism that distinguishes between different motivations behind antisemitic acts, avoiding blanket categorizations. He emphasizes understanding antisemitism's systemic nature to foster societal change.

• Systemic Change: The conversation concludes with the importance of addressing the fertile ground that allows such prejudices to thrive. Ferguson states, “We have to build the society in which racial violence, anti Semitic violence, gender-based violence don't have fertile soil to grow in” (20:10).

II. Justice for MH17: Bellingcat's Investigative Triumph

A. The Tragedy of MH17

The episode transitions to the investigation of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was tragically shot down over Ukraine in July 2014, resulting in 298 fatalities, including 80 children. Brooke Gladstone introduces the groundbreaking work of Bellingcat, an investigative journalism outlet renowned for its meticulous online investigations.

B. Collaboration with The Insider

Roman Dobrokhotov, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Insider, shares insights into the collaboration with Bellingcat that led to the identification and conviction of those responsible for the MH17 crash.

• Digital Footprint Analysis: Dobrokhotov explains, “MH17 is unique in the sense that there's a very, very long digital footprint” (23:43). This extensive digital trail was crucial in tracing the involvement of Russian agents.

• Identification of Key Figures: Through meticulous research, including analyzing intercepted communications and using caller ID apps, Bellingcat and The Insider identified the individuals behind the attack. Dobrokhotov notes, “We found that this phone number which Orion was using was listed as Ivanikov... here's the big spy, here's Orion” (25:40).

C. Overcoming Challenges

• Russian Intelligence Resistance: Dobrokhotov discusses the hurdles faced due to the opaque nature of Russian intelligence operations. He emphasizes the importance of persistent investigative efforts in uncovering the truth.

• Impact on Russian Society: The investigation not only sought justice but also aimed to inform the Russian public about the criminal activities within their government. Dobrokhotov remarks, “It's important for them to understand that the country is run by criminals” (32:14).

D. Legal Outcomes

The diligent efforts of Bellingcat and The Insider culminated in Russian and Ukrainian nationals being found guilty for their roles in the MH17 tragedy. Dobrokhotov expresses optimism about the ongoing trials and the possibility of holding higher-ranking officials accountable.

III. Uncovering a Russian Sleeper Spy

A. The Discovery of Maria Adela

The episode further explores how Bellingcat, in collaboration with The Insider, unearthed a Russian sleeper spy embedded within NATO circles. Christo Grozev, Lead Russian Investigator at Bellingcat, provides a firsthand account of this intricate investigation.

• Initial Discovery: Dobrokhotov recounts stumbling upon the name Maria Adela during a review of passport numbers linked to Russian spies. He describes, “She already had a Russian passport... was a Russian illegal” (36:21).

• Methodical Investigation: The team utilized open-source tools and innovative techniques to trace Maria Adela's activities, revealing her significant infiltration into NATO's social and professional spheres. Roman explains, “We did face recognition of a cat... we have a match” (47:37).

B. Impact of the Sleeper Spy

• Proximity to NATO Officials: Maria Adela managed to build relationships with key NATO personnel, potentially compromising sensitive information. Dobrokhotov highlights the risks, stating, “Even in that very innocent hypothesis, she would have been able to describe and create profiles... which is extremely valuable information” (48:23).

• Techniques and Tools: The investigation showcased the power of open-source intelligence (OSINT) and collaborative journalism. Roman notes, “The knowledge that you can use open source tools to discover dark government, crime and espionage has changed the game for the better” (50:24).

C. Lessons Learned and Future Implications

• Evolution of Espionage: The discovery underscores the evolving nature of espionage and the necessity for vigilant, innovative investigative techniques to counteract such threats.

• Empowerment Through Transparency: By openly sharing their methodologies, Bellingcat has heightened global awareness and made it more challenging for covert operations to remain hidden.

Conclusion

"The Oldest Trick" episode of On the Media masterfully weaves together the threads of entrenched antisemitism in American society and the cutting-edge investigative journalism that brought perpetrators of heinous acts like the MH17 downing to justice. Through engaging dialogues with experts like Leo Ferguson and the relentless investigative efforts of Roman Dobrokhotov and Christo Grozev, the episode underscores the critical role of nuanced media reporting and innovative journalism in combating deep-seated prejudices and ensuring accountability on the global stage.

Notable Quotes

• Leo Ferguson: “Nick Fuentes...has a premeditated political project wishing violence upon Jews” (02:19).

• Ira Flatow: “It's never gone away. We only get at this by building the society in which racial violence, anti Semitic violence, gender-based violence don't have fertile soil to grow in.” (20:10).

• Roman Dobrokhotov: “The knowledge that you can use open source tools to discover dark government, crime and espionage... has changed the game for the better.” (50:24).

Transcript Reference

For clarity, timestamps in brackets refer to the approximate location within the provided transcript.