Topic: Janet Cooke

Two top FDA regulators resigned following disagreements with the CDC over the timeline for COVID-19 boosters. The agency also faced internal turmoil after approving the Alzheimer's drug Adjuhelm against the advice of its advisory committee. Further discussion highlights the "revolving door" between regulators and industry, noting former FDA chief Fred Hahn joining a biotech firm and Emer Cooke's history as a pharmaceutical lobbyist before leading the EMA.

The hosts discuss the over-reliance on anonymous sources in modern journalism, citing historical fabrications by reporters like Janet Cooke and Jayson Blair. They argue that the lack of accountability for unnamed sources allows for the spread of gossip and rumors as fact. The segment references the "weapons of mass destruction" reporting as a primary example of how anonymous sourcing can lead to catastrophic policy decisions.