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John Berger described mystification as "the process of explaining away what might otherwise be evident". The purpose of journalism is to clarify, not mystify. This is not journalism. I am not surprised that @theintercept published it; I'm surprised @ShorensteinCtr supported it.
@theintercept @ShorensteinCtr Reporters who visits regime controlled areas on regime visas need to be treated as suspect until they establish their credibility. This reporter fails: he uncritically recycles white helmets conspiracy theories; relies on the testimony of people interviewed with minders present.
@theintercept @ShorensteinCtr And no reporter who is deemed critical is granted a second visa by the regime. Reporters who are considered unsympathetic are denied even one. An individual who gets repeat visas to Damascus must be considered propagandist until proven journalist.
@theintercept @ShorensteinCtr His most sensational claims are attributed to an anonymous source, described as a former OPCW official. Why is the official granted anonymity? Given the reporter's record, this does not inspire confidence. He also shows no scepticism about the child survivors reversed testimony.
@theintercept @ShorensteinCtr It is also unclear why in 2019 he thought it appropriate to consult Ted Postol. Not only has Postol thoroughly discredited himself, his known reliance on pro-regime twitter trolls like "Partisan Girl" makes him a reference for only one type of hack.
@theintercept @ShorensteinCtr It's also unclear what the purpose of this article was. A man goes to regime-held Syria on a regime visa, tries hard to manufacture doubt, turns to any dubious source, but in the end is defeated by reality. Who at @ShorensteinCtr approved this frivolous enterprise?
@theintercept @ShorensteinCtr Did this not raise red flags for anyone at @ShorensteinCtr @cgreensit? A named individual living under regime terror, interviewed in the presence of regime killers, was going to write his own death warrant by letting himself be quoted saying something different on Whatsapp later? 
