Rebel News Podcast Summary

EZRA LEVANT | Reuters just admitted something about Rebel News they REALLY didn’t want to
Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Ezra Levant
Duration: ~1 hour

Overview

In this episode, Ezra Levant returns from his reporting trip to an ostrich farm embroiled in a controversial standoff with Canadian authorities. The episode pivots around two main themes:

1. Media Recognition: Reuters’ and the Oxford University-backed study acknowledging Rebel News as one of Canada’s top five news organizations—a recognition Levant frames as begrudging and significant, given Reuters’ perceived ideological leanings.
2. Ostrich Farm Crisis: On-the-ground reporting and panel discussion about the mass culling of ostriches by government order, including criticism of government tactics, media coverage, and broader themes of institutional mistrust stemming from COVID-era policies.

This episode weaves together media criticism, investigative reporting, in-depth testimony from supporters, and a passionate defense of Rebel News’ independent journalism ethos.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reuters’ Study on Canadian Media

• Reuters Institute Report: Highlights how an Oxford- and Reuters-backed study places Rebel News as #5 in Canada, ahead of legacy outlets like Global News.
  • Quote: “Reuters and Oxford University say Rebel News is the number five news company in Canada, ahead of Global News. What do you think about that?” (Ezra, 01:04)
• Skepticism of Methodology: Levant acknowledges his surprise but criticizes Reuters’ data accuracy (e.g. outdated YouTube subscriber counts) and frames their acknowledgment as reluctant.
• Discussion of Reuters’ Bias: Levant details connections between Reuters leadership, large pharmaceutical interests, and government narratives during the pandemic, suggesting systemic media bias and highlighting ideological conformity created by wire services.
  • Quote: “Do you see my point about Reuters actually being a global force for propaganda and censorship?” (Ezra, 03:19)
  • Points out historical left-leaning tendencies and state subsidies.

2. Ostrich Farm Coverage: Government Overreach and Media Mistrust

• Setting the Stage: Ezra provides updates on the ostrich farm in Edgewood, BC.
  • “Ezra here in Edgewood, British Columbia, at the site of the ostrich farm that has gripped so much attention not just across Canada, but around the world.” (Ezra, 14:40)
• Scale of Reporting: Rebel News deployed up to six reporters, with Drea Humphrey leading coverage.
  • “I estimate you’ve done maybe 100 reports from here.” (Ezra, 15:37)
• Farmers' Stand: Unlike previously compliant mink farmers, these ostrich farmers publicly resisted orders by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to cull their flock.
  • “These farmers were different. These farmers were special, and so were the herd that they wanted to save.” (Chris Dacey, 14:59)
• Mistrust in Mainstream Media: Farmers and their neighbors report a loss of trust in mainstream outlets, citing discrepancies between media narratives and their lived experiences.
  • “She doesn’t believe she can trust the mainstream media anymore…she just can’t reconcile what is actually happening with what CTV and CBC are having.” (Ezra, 15:50)
• Accounts of Government Action:
  • Tactics Criticized: USDA/CFIA and RCMP actions described as heavy-handed, secretive, and provoking.
    • “The way they did it, every one of those animals would have suffered and they would have known. They would have seen it. They would have been so agonizing, they would have been trying to get out. They just suffered. That was just so wrong on every level.” (Unnamed supporter, 18:04)
    • Killing occurred at night, allegedly to reduce scrutiny.
  • Claims of Psychological Operations: The team alleges police/government tactics were designed to provoke confrontation for propaganda.
    • “That's an op. That is an operation. That's a psychological operation that is designed to…provoke.” (Ezra, 21:50)
  • Lack of Transparency and Human Contact: Farmers report near-total absence of direct communication from CFIA, feelings of being “kept in the dark” both literally and figuratively.
    • “So since the first contact, they literally have not had any human contact. No phone calls, no. Let alone an in person conversation. That's astonishing.” (Ezra, 38:01)
  • Questions about Legal and Ethical Conduct: Discussion of possible animal cruelty, mishandled investigations, and evidence mismanagement.
    • “Have you made any complaints to the RCMP about this, CFIA's conduct, including possibly animal cruelty?” (Ezra, 43:08)
  • Frustration with Courts and Investigation: Attendees express frustration about lack of legal recourse and stonewalling by authorities.
    • “We have never had our day in court.” (Unnamed supporter, 47:30)

3. International and Political Dimensions

• Speculation on International Influence: Some participants suggest that decisions were directed not by local authorities but possibly from international bodies such as the WHO, driven by global public health or pharmaceutical interests.
  • “This operation is being run out of Ottawa or from BC?...It's run from overseas.” (Ezra and supporter, 38:36–38:46)
• Medical Research Value of the Ostriches: Supporters claim the ostriches had unique COVID-19 antibodies, implying destruction served to benefit pharmaceutical monopolies or suppress alternative treatments.
  • “These birds had medical value. And the fact that they were killed, I can't help but wonder if it was because they had medical value and the secrecy with which the government killed them.” (Ezra, 61:44)
• Notable Outside Support: References to communication with American figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose concerns about the cull were ignored.
  • “Have you been in touch with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.? I saw one of his letters. I understand he sent us another one.” (Ezra, 40:49)

4. Community Resilience and Next Steps

• Determination to Pursue Legal and Media Avenues: The farming family and supporters commit to fighting through courts, media, and possible international attention.
  • “You've created nothing but time and a bigger vision. They've created the strength of a village and bloodshed and voices that need to be heard and will not die.” (Unidentified, 54:10)
• Shifting Focus from ‘Save’ to ‘Avenge’ the Ostriches: Drea Humphrey announces a pivot in Rebel News coverage, underlining that the media battle is not over.
  • "We're shifting reports about Save the Ostriches to Avenge the ostriches@avengetheostridges.com." (Chris Dacey, 58:37)
• Community Solidarity: The group expresses gratitude and camaraderie, reflecting strong personal bonds formed during the ordeal.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mainstream Media Resistance:
  • “She doesn’t believe she can trust the mainstream media anymore, and this is a new thing for her because she just can’t reconcile what is actually happening with what CTV and CBC are having.” (Ezra, 15:50)
• On Alleged Propaganda:
  • “That’s an op. That is an operation. That’s a psychological operation that is designed to…provoke.” (Ezra, 21:50)
• On the Cruelty of the Culling:
  • “There were birds crying through the night.” (Unnamed supporter, 30:35)
• On International Influence:
  • “It's run from overseas.” (Unnamed supporter, 38:44)
• On Lack of Due Process:
  • “We've never had our day in court.” (Unnamed supporter, 47:30)
• On Institutional Mistrust:
  • “I think the worst thing I heard when I was out there was there was over 900 shots that were heard in the night...in the daylight, some of the ostriches must still have been alive and twitching or moving. And then only then did the shooters finish them off. So they were in agony overnight.” (Ezra, 64:01)
• On the Motive of the Destruction:
  • “These birds had medical value. And the fact that they were killed, I can't help but wonder if it was because they had medical value and the secrecy with which the government killed them.” (Ezra, 61:44)
• On Media’s Failure:
  • “Have CTV, CBC, Global...any of them given you fair reportage?” (Ezra, 32:31)
• On Determination to Continue:
  • “This is just the beginning.” (Unnamed supporter, 54:10)
  • "The battle isn't over journalistically, it's certainly far from over for me too." (Chris Dacey, 58:37)

Important Timestamps

• Reuters’ Study Coverage, Media Critique: 01:04 – 14:40
• Introduction to Ostrich Farm Situation: 14:40 – 17:00
• On-the-Ground Panel & Firsthand Accounts: 17:00 – 49:27
• Political/International Speculation: 38:36 – 41:44
• Allegations about Animal Science & Mishandled Evidence: 46:24 – 47:30
• Discussion on Potential Legal Next Steps: 53:05 – 56:30
• Reflection on Media Solidarity, Closing Thoughts: 58:37 – 64:35

Overall Tone and Style

• Defiant and Critical: The episode has a combative, skeptical, and sometimes mocking tone regarding legacy media, government officials, and regulatory authorities.
• Community-Focused and Emotional: The farm coverage is empathetic, personal, and laden with frustration and disbelief, highlighting the emotional cost to those involved.
• Investigative: Listeners get granular detail (sometimes graphic) about the culling operation and allegations of misconduct.

For New Listeners

This episode stands as both media critique and investigative reporting. Through firsthand interviews, emotional testimony, and fierce debate about the future of truth in Canada, it offers insight into the distrust of official narratives and the rise of independent media watchdogs like Rebel News. The ostrich farm saga, for Levant and colleagues, encapsulates the dangers of unchecked authority, media complacency, and the importance of "telling the other side of the story."

Further Reading/Action:

• More at AvengeTheOstriches.com (as announced during the episode).