Questions

After watching the videos, consider the following:

Twenty-three year old YouTuber Nick Shirley has been criticized for how he investigated the alleged multi-million, potentially billion dollar fraud scams in Minnesota’s social services system, in which fraudsters stole millions/billions in taxpayer funds. Local media reported on the fraud as far back as 2014 (Paul Aker at Minnesota’s Channel 10TV was one) but it appears that the state government allowed the multi-million dollar fraud schemes to continue.

  1. Why do you think no major media outlets ever investigated this alleged widespread fraud themselves?
  2. Is the investigation of a 23 year old independent journalist as valid as a report by CNN or the New York Times? Explain your answer.