My Position on the News Media

The experience behind my decision

Before Mississippi's 2001 statewide flag referendum, MSNBC flew me to Washington, D.C., to participate in a nationally televised debate concerning the Confederate battle flag and Southern heritage. That appearance is preserved on this website as part of my public record.

After that appearance, to the best of my recollection, no news-media organization contacted me again about my work defending Mississippi's historic state flag.

I later spent many hours standing beside Interstate 55 in Jackson displaying that flag. I received no news-media coverage of that activity.

My conclusion

These experiences, together with my dealings with news organizations over several decades, formed my present view of the institutional news media. I believe the news media are corrupt and illegitimate and function as propagandists rather than impartial observers. That is my opinion, and I state it plainly as such.

I do not regard news-media attention as necessary to establish the legitimacy of my candidacy or my positions. I will not ask those organizations to interpret me, validate me or decide whether Mississippians should hear from me.

I do not do interviews with news-media organizations. This policy applies to every organization that identifies itself as news media. I will speak for myself through my own recorded statements, written positions, website and official social-media accounts.

Direct communication

My words, videos, historical materials and positions will be published directly through GilesForGovernor.com and my official social-media accounts. Mississippians may examine that record and reach their own conclusions without a news organization serving as an intermediary.

This page distinguishes personal recollections and documented events from Jimmy Giles's expressly stated opinions and campaign policy concerning media outreach.