Josh Owens, who served for four years as a video editor and field producer for Alex Jones' Infowars media operation, has spoken out about his time there, calling the output "nonsense" and "lies." Owens is releasing a memoir titled The Madness of Believing detailing his experiences.

Four Years Inside the Infowars Machine

Owens spent his twenties working for Jones, initially plucked from film school when he felt directionless after high school. He saw an opportunity when Jones sought to expand his reporting staff, applying for a position.

Though he initially applied to be a reporter, Jones ultimately hired him as a video editor and camera operator. Owens admitted that early on, he believed the work was important and found the experience exciting, despite the volatile atmosphere.

The Cinematic Fabrication of News

According to Owens, the primary focus of the production work was making content appear visually compelling. "In Jones' world, it was all about making things look cinematic," Owens stated.

He described how the team would film content, often appearing to be reporting from critical locations, but the reality was manufactured. Owens confirmed that the content they produced was fundamentally untrue, stating, "But it was nonsense, it was lies."

Staging a Fake ISIS Border Incident

Owens recounted a specific instance where the Infowars team fabricated a major news event. The team traveled to Juarez, Mexico, under the pretense of investigating an ISIS training base.

Finding no evidence of ISIS, they staged a video where a reporter posed as an operative crossing "the border." Owens explained they used a small stream resembling the Rio Grande for the footage. The staged video, showing the reporter simulating a beheading while crossing, garnered a million views overnight.

Reasons for Staying and Eventual Turning Point

Owens acknowledged that he remained at Infowars for a significant period primarily due to the good compensation offered. He also noted that Jones possessed an engaging personality, though this was often coupled with unpredictability.

Owens described the office environment as tense, where staff were constantly on edge waiting for Jones' jovial mood to shift suddenly. He characterized the atmosphere as "cult-like," citing Jones' frequent assertions that employees "cannot exist in the world outside of here because you are connected to me."

A Shift in Perspective

A pivotal moment for Owens occurred during a flight home from a reporting trip. He observed a Muslim woman traveling with a young girl, leading to a realization about prejudice.

He reflected that the situation highlighted baseless suspicion rooted in racism, admitting, "these people didn't do anything." While this did not cause an immediate departure, it initiated a shift in how he viewed the content he was creating.

Accountability and Moving Forward

Owens stated that he never worked directly on reports related to the Sandy Hook massacre, where families successfully sued Jones for emotional harm following the 2012 tragedy. However, he now questions the extent of the damage caused by the rhetoric he helped produce.

The decision to write the memoir was driven by a need to take accountability for his involvement. Owens emphasized that he does not want to simply move on without addressing his past role. He seeks to understand why he stayed so long and to grow as a person through this process of self-examination.