The HighWire

The HighWire launched in 2017 as a weekly online show hosted by Del Bigtree, a former television producer who became prominent in anti-vaccine advocacy following his work on the documentary "Vaxxed." The program combines news commentary, interviews, and investigative reporting focused on vaccine safety, medical freedom, and criticism of public health policies.

Bigtree uses The HighWire platform to challenge mainstream medical consensus on vaccination, featuring interviews with physicians, researchers, and parents who report adverse vaccine reactions. The show gained significant audience growth during the COVID-19 pandemic by questioning vaccine mandates, lockdown policies, and government health recommendations.

The program has faced content moderation actions from major social media platforms for promoting medical misinformation, leading Bigtree to establish alternative distribution channels and funding mechanisms. The HighWire operates through the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), a nonprofit organization that pursues legal challenges to vaccine policies.

Medical professionals and public health experts criticize The HighWire for misrepresenting scientific evidence, promoting unfounded theories about vaccine dangers, and undermining public health messaging. However, the show maintains a dedicated audience among parents seeking alternative perspectives on childhood vaccination and individuals skeptical of pharmaceutical industry influence on medical policy.