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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Comment
Robert Reich

Why is mainstream US TV spreading moral panics about affirmative action run amok?

United States Dr Phil Minneapolis America Fox News
‘My biggest regret is that the national conversation is in the hands of producers chasing ratings and advertising dollars, with no regard for how they’re distorting the public’s understanding.’
‘My biggest regret is that the national conversation is in the hands of producers chasing ratings and advertising dollars, with no regard for how they’re distorting the public’s understanding.’ Photograph: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

A few days ago, I received an email from an associate producer at the Dr Phil Show. They recently came across my film Inequality for All and wanted to know if I’d be “interested in joining Dr Phil as an expert guest for an upcoming episode”.

Hey, why not? The Dr Phil Show is the No 1 rated daytime TV talkshow in America. It has over 2 million viewers. I have lots to say to those viewers about the perils of widening inequality.

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