Your browser does not support the audio element.Fake news. A phrase that was once tied to tabloidesque style super market papers has now become a common staple in today’s lexicon. Like many elements that unfortunately flood our daily routines, this has turned to a point to where we now just gloss over when we hear the term. Seeking to combat the ever failing reputation of media, the guest on this week’s episode of The Malliard Report has been a pioneer and trail blazer for the citizen journalist movement that is quickly gaining hold in this seemingly turbulent time.

This week Jim welcomes to the show Lee Stranahan. Lee is an American journalist, talk show host, and advocate for citizen journalism. Hosting a show on the Russian owned Sputnik new agency, Stranahan was originally picked up by the network after being let go by Breitbart for covering the controversies surrounding the Chobani yogurt company and their usage of Syrian refugee workers harboring tuberculosis and numerous sexual assault cases.

Originally moving to Los Angeles to work as a television producer and graphic artist, Lee made his way into reporting during the 2007/2008 writers guild strike. Having started out by making political parody videos on YouTube poking fun at prominent figures of the time (Mitt Money, Rudy Giuliani, etc.) he quickly gained interest and was soon picked up by the Huffington Post. While his edgy humor was the catalyst for his quick success, it was not looked upon as fondly by HuffPo and Lee soon found himself in the circle with Andrew Breitbart. After a handful of firings/rehirings and disputes over his stance on  the death of Alton Sterling, Lee parted ways with Breitbart and is now co-host of Fault Lines on Sputnik Radio.

The passion for citizen journalism is very evident within Lee and this is a really great episode. To keep up with all of Lee’s latest, head over to www.stranahan.com and of course get the most up to date Malliard at www.malliard.com or via Twitter @Malliard. Make sure to share the work about The Malliard Report and do your part to help it grow.