CNN’s Senior Correspondent Donie O’Sullivan has a unique perspective on the state of news in America. After winning an Emmy Award for outstanding news coverage, he’s now tackling conspiracy theories and misinformation in a new podcast, Persuadable.

“It’s not free, you know, $700“ – Donie O’Sullivan on His Emmy win

The humble Kerryman, now a US citizen, had a surprise when he won the prestigious award. “They make you pay for the statue, though,” he quipped, “It was $700. I mean, there was, like, 30 people on the team, so we can’t hand out 30 of them. But it’s $700, yes.”

Donie O’Sullivan: A Rising Star in Journalism

O’Sullivan’s success story is marked by persistent graft, carefully cultivated through years. At just 32, he’s atorch bearer for quality journalism at a time when discerning fact from fiction has never been more challenging.

The Power and Pitfalls of the Internet

O’Sullivan, among the early employees of Storyful, an Irish company known for verifying internet content, sees both sides of the digital coin. “It’s not that I want to totally crap on the internet. I mean, we all love it and use it every day. But it makes you wonder where we’ll be in another 15 years.”

“Philosophical Voodoo” – O’Sullivan on Conspiracy Theories

America’s fascination with the extraordinary has led to mainstream belief in theories once confined to the fringes. O’Sullivan’s new podcast, Persuadable, explores why people fall for these ideas through interviews with cult survivors, psychologists, and experts.

Factors Driving Conspiracy Beliefs

• Social isolation, exacerbated by decreased social interaction and increased time spent on personal devices.
• Ease of connection and sharing of fringe ideas, leading to their wider dissemination and acceptance.
• The human predisposition to believe “crazy things” and desire for community around shared beliefs.
• Difficulty discerning truth amidst competing narratives and the decline of trust in institutions.

“If you’re a regular news consumer now, especially in the US, it’s very hard. I mean, you’re really up against it, to try and determine the truth, right?” – Donie O’Sullivan

– CNN Senior Correspondent

The ‘Irishness’ of America’s Extremes

O’Sullivan observes that many Republican, Trump-supporting Irish Americans struggle with the evolving identity of Irishness and its perceived association with liberal values and the Democratic party.

Confronting Conspiracy Theorists (and Other Challenges)

As a white male journalist, O’Sullivan acknowledges he has privileges that shield him from the worst online abuses. However, he describes one memorable encounter:

“I don’t know if I’ve ever shared this before and I don’t know if my mother knows it, but there was early on, actually one of the first times I really did a deep, reported piece on a conspiracy theory, the conspiracy theorist – I think it was back in 2017 – actually showed up in New York.” – Donie O’Sullivan

– CNN Senior Correspondent

Empathy, Not Exorcism

In presenting a ‘truth sandwich,’ O’Sullivan aims to empathize with believers without attempting to change their minds. The Emmy-winning journalist believes in the power of open conversation and empathetic listening, as facilitated by his new podcast, Persuadable.

Broadcast Media in the Era of Podcasts

O’Sullivan posits that broadcast media must adopt longer formats to stay relevant in a world dominated by podcasts. He praises Joe Rogan’s in-depth conversations but criticizes their lack of rigorous fact-checking.

Donie O’Sullivan: A Fresh Face in an Evolving Landscape

Despite his meteoric rise, O’Sullivan remains wary of full-blown celebrity status, preferring to let his work speak for itself. He enjoys the support of his GAA family in Kerry, who still include him in their championship plans.

FAQs

Did you know?

Donie O’Sullivan was previously a writer for the Irish Examiner and worked with the Emerging and Social Media team for the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association).

Pro tip

To stay informed and minimize misinformation, diversify your news sources and always verify information from independent, reputable outlets.