Alex Jones is getting a lot of mainstream attention today because of recent remarks made by Charlies Sheen on Jones’ radio show that caused Sheen’s popular sitcom Two and a Half Men to close production for the year. If you’re wondering who Alex Jones is (unlikely for Disinfo readers), here is a mainstream media assessment in the Hollywood Reporter:
Context is important, and Sheen made his controversial remarks on Alex Jones’ syndicated radio show. Those who have listened to Jones know that he is no ordinary talk radio host. Long before Glenn Beck made headlines (and millions) mining conspiratorial territory on his radio show, Jones was exploring the wilder side of political talk radio for a devoted following online.
Jones is not mainstream (he has under 25,000 Twitter followers), yet he has influence and is sometimes linked to by more influential media figures such as Matt Drudge.
As his fans know, Jones is different than just about anyone in his field. Neither conservative nor liberal (he describes himself as “a dedicated and aggressive Constutionalist” on his own website biography), Jones spoke out against President Bush during his administration and is equally critical of President Obama (Jones sells a popular DVD titled The Obama Deception on his website). Via his websites prisonplanet.com, infowars.com and a formidable following on YouTube, Jones reaches countless viewers and listeners daily, with a virtual army of twentysomethings paying attention to what he says.
Read More in the Hollywood Reporter
