The relationship between Facebook and a public relations firm that promotes right-wing lawmakers — including some who voted against the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election — was brought to light amid o
Publication: reporting
Truth or Fiction?→ Paper: Sweden and the ‘Herd Immunity’ Response to COVID-19
An academic paper attempting to make sense of Sweden’s COVID-19 “herd immunity” policy describes a cavalcade of preventable horrors. The article (which was published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications) was – in its own w
Truth or Fiction?→ Virginia Thomas Embraced Conspiracy Theories Long Before ‘Big Lie’ Texts Came to Light
Long before she was revealed to have been pushing for the overturning of the 2020 presidential election, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas — the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas — trafficked in conspiracy theories in disinfor
Truth or Fiction?→ The Fairness Doctrine and Ronald Reagan
On March 28 2022, an Imgur user shared a meme (“The Father of Fake News”) about President Ronald Reagan, the Fairness Doctrine, and the Federal Communications Commission’s purported role in the rise of partisan “news”: Te
Truth or Fiction?→ Russia Purportedly Planned ‘Public Executions’ in Ukraine
In early March 2022, as wild rumors, lies, half-truths, and weaponized disinformation campaigns lit up social media amid Russia’s war against Ukraine, posts began to appear referencing leaked Russian plans for “public executions” the
Truth or Fiction?→ Why Russia’s Removal From Eurovision 2022 Has Precedent
Russia’s expulsion from the Eurovision music competition in February 2022 for invading Ukraine was a reversal of course from contest organizers — but not a first-time ocurrence. “The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unp
Truth or Fiction?→ Normandale Park Mass Shooting
After a February 19 2022 shooting in Portland’s Normandale Park, disinformation spread rapidly on social media — including claims that the alleged shooter was an “armed homeowner” facing off against “armed protesters.̶
Truth or Fiction?→ The ‘Freedom Convoy’ Ran on Regurgitated Disinformation Narratives
There was nothing original about the “convoy” that disrupted the Canadian capitol of Ottawa in early 2022. The occupation dovetailed almost entirely with other right-wing demonstrations, starting with the use of Facebook as both an organiza
Truth or Fiction?→ How to Fight Disinformation — Part IV: Signaling and Dog Whistling
This is part of an ongoing series about how communities can fight back and protect themselves against weaponized disinformation. The Trump administration may be just a memory, but the disinformation that paved its way and the lies that it launched are
Truth or Fiction?→ Capitol Attack Suspect’s Group Was Linked to Police Around the United States
The leader of a right-wing group repeatedly linked to U.S. law enforcement and military members was arrested on January 13 2022 and charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol just over a year earlier. A grand ju
Truth or Fiction?→ In ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ Disinformation is a Supervillain
Even as it deals with super-powered confrontations, the December 2021 movie Spider-Man: No Way Home introduces a different form of villainy to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in depicting the impact of disinformation on its titular hero. This post contai
Truth or Fiction?→ Kenosha Homicide Trial Riddled With Disinformation, Weaponized Narratives
The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who killed two people and wounded a third during a shooting spree in Kenosha, Wisconsin during protests against police brutality in August 2020, has made daily headlines nationally and internationally —
Truth or Fiction?→ Houston Police Attempt to Link ‘Drug Spiking’ to Fatal Astroworld Concert
Houston police attempted to link an alleged injection “attack” to the chaos at a November 2021 concert that culminated in the deaths of eight people and injuries to more than 300 others. Local police chief Troy Finner first pushed the claim
Truth or Fiction?→ Despite Pledges, Hearings, Facebook Still Disseminating Climate Disinformation
Several weeks of highly damaging stories and one name change later, the company currently trying to rebrand as “Meta” is deploying the same shopworn tactics of denial and misdirection. Facebook has said it is taking major action on disinformation c
Truth or Fiction?→ Lincoln Project Reveals It Staged Tiki Torch Stunt at Right-Wing Republican Rally
Cconservative group The Lincoln Project revealed itself on October 29 2021 as the organizers of a stunt criticizing a far-right gubernatorial candidate in Charlottesville, Virginia. The group, which claims to represent Republican Party members who oppo
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Facebook’s Top Ten’ on Twitter Abruptly Changes
On September 28 2021, a single tweet from the “Facebook’s Top 10” Twitter account became notable not for what it showed, but for what it didn’t: The top-performing link posts by U.S. Facebook pages in the last 24 hours are fro
Truth or Fiction?→ DHS Report Confirms Border Officials’ Surveillance Against Journalists and Activists
Federal officials say border authorities wrongfully conducted surveillance against journalists and activists crossing between the United States and Mexico — but the United States stopped short of commenting on whether they broke the law in doing
Truth or Fiction?→ New Book Claims Zuckerberg Let Trump Lie to Avoid Federal Oversight
A new biography of right-wing tech mogul Peter Thiel claims that, according to him, Facebook chief exeutive officer Mark Zuckerberg struck a deal allowing Donald Trump and his allies to spread disinformation in exchange for a lack of federal oversight.
Truth or Fiction?→ Right-Wing Disinformation Surges As California Recall Election Unfolds
As the recall election against California governor Gavin Newsom drew closer to a close, both the leading right-wing candidate and conspiracy theorists continued pushing disinformation painting the process as “rigged” before polls even opene
Truth or Fiction?→ CA Recall Election Disinformation Roundup
In the lead up to the California gubernatorial recall election of September 14 2021, the usual disinformation purveyors went into high gear, poisoning the well with wall-to-wall claims of perfidy and election theft. Overall, the California recall and i
Truth or Fiction?→ California Officials Attempt to Quell Confusion Around Gubernatorial Recall Election
As mail-in ballots began to go out in advance of the September 2021 gubernatorial recall election in California, a spokesperson for the California Secretary of State’s office attempted to quell disinformation and confusion around the often confus
Truth or Fiction?→ Comedian’s Spoof Interview as ‘Flight Attendant’ Spreads Virally on Facebook Watch
On August 6 2021, Irish broadcaster and verified page “RTÉ 2fm” shared a video captioned “The greatest interview of ALL time. A classic ,” reaching five million views on Facebook Watch and purportedly showing footage of a flig
Truth or Fiction?→ San Diego Sheriff Admits No Doctor Verified ‘Overdose’ Claim in Viral Video
San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore admitted on August 10 2021 that no medical professionals were involved in the making of a heavily-criticized video his department has claimed showed a deputy “overdosing” on fentanyl. According to the San
Truth or Fiction?→ 4Chan’s /Pol/ Seeks to Sow Discord With #AskMeWhy
On or around August 6 2021, a Twitter hashtag (#AskMeWhy) emerged, appearing on numerous tweets asserting that vaccination campaigns were “racist”: I wonder if @NYCMayor has seen this one?#vaccinediscrimination#askmewhy #MedicalApartheid
Truth or Fiction?→ News Organizations Uncritically Spread Sheriff’s Fentanyl ‘Overdose’ Video
A public safety video released by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department in California was quickly called into question online — but not by local news organizations, some of which shared it without mentioning that medical groups have des
Truth or Fiction?→ Fox Host’s Visit Brings New Attention to Hungary’s ‘Illiberal’ Regime
A far right Fox News presenter’s appearance in Hungary — and photographed meeting with its authoritarian head of state — has brought new attention to that country’s descent into what one observer described as “soft fascism
Truth or Fiction?→ Police Officers’ Testimony Refutes Right Wing Capitol Riot Disinformation
The testimony of four law enforcement officers before a House select committee on July 27 2021 provided another yet another clear refutation to the disinformation pushed by right-wing outlets and operatives surrounding the attack on the U.S. Capitol on
Truth or Fiction?→ Anatomy of an Inauthentically Organized Campaign
In mid-2021, as the Delta variant rapidly spread among unvaccinated populations across the United States and public officials began publicly flirting with the prospect of still more measures to quell the spread of the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemi
Truth or Fiction?→ Facebook’s Reshuffling of Data Tool Worries Researchers and Collaborators
A New York Times column on Facebook’s actions against the data analysis tool CrowdTangle prompted concern from both independent researchers and at least one group collaborating with the platform. According to Kevin Roose, a tech columnist for the
Truth or Fiction?→ Anti-Vaccine Disinformation Campaign Echoes ‘Doctor’s Plot’ Rhetoric
An ongoing medical disinformation campaign took a sharp turn in July 2021, when right-wing commentators and politicians pivoted to direct attacks against continued efforts by the Biden administration to get more Americans vaccinated against COVID-19. T
Truth or Fiction?→ Wi Spa Weaponized Disinformation Campaign
In late June and early July 2021, far-right activists attempted to launch a new disinformation campaign in the wake of a viral video of a woman harassing staff at a traditional public bathhouse in an historic Los Angeles neighborhood The video, which w
Truth or Fiction?→ Federal Investigation Underway After LAPD Detonates Explosive Cache in Residential Area
Federal officials have opened an investigation into the Los Angeles Police Department’s handling of a trove of allegedly illegal fireworks that led to at least 17 people — including several law enforcement officers — being injured in
Truth or Fiction?→ YouTube Reverses Course, Reinstates Watchdog Site Monitoring Conspiracists
The media watchdog site Right Wing Watch (RWW) was reinstated onto YouTube after the platform initially removed its channel on June 28 2021 for unspecified reasons. “We are glad that by reinstating our account, YouTube recognizes our position tha
Truth or Fiction?→ Conspiracists Seize on Study to Attack COVID-19 Mask Mandates
Far-right conspiracy theorists began circling in May 2021 around a study “pre-print” they claimed vindicated their refusal to wear face masks to blunt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, posted in the journal BioRxiv (pronounced
Truth or Fiction?→ Fox’s Tucker Carlson Pushes Conspiracy Theory Blaming FBI For Capitol Riot
Television presenter Tucker Carlson pushed another far right conspiracy theory downplaying the rioters who attacked the United States Capitol in January 2021, suggesting on his show that the attack was orchestrated by federal “operatives.”
Truth or Fiction?→ The ‘Critical Race Theory’ Coordinated Disinformation Campaign
An inauthentically organized, corrosive disinformation campaign taking direct aim at social resilience and anti-racism pushes has taken over school boards throughout the United States in what appears to be a highly coordinated national push — whi
Truth or Fiction?→ Foreign Influence Agents Goaded Trump Forums After U.S. Elections, Researchers Say
Foreign agents — particularly those working from or on behalf of Russia — were active on Donald Trump-themed forums in the weeks and months leading up to the January 6 2021 coup attempt at the United States Capitol, a new report says. Accor
Truth or Fiction?→ International Disinfo Machines Turning After State-Sponsored Kidnapping of Belarusian Journalist
On May 24 2021, in the hours and days after Belarusian dissident journalist Roman Protasevich was taken from a Ryanair flight that had been rediverted to Minsk and arrested along with his girlfriend, graduate student Sofia Sapega, in a dramatic state-
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Safety’ App Citizen Pushes Users to ‘Bring Justice’ Against Wrong Man in L.A. Arson Probe
Authorities in Los Angeles announced on May 17 2021 that they had arrested a suspect in an arson investigation, around 48 hours after a “safety” app had posted a photograph falsely identifying a man as the possible culprit. Fire Chief Ralph
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Hello, I’m a Dandelion’
A Dutch Facebook user’s cheery gardening post blossomed into a long-form text meme on the platform, as English-speaking users shared a translation celebrating dandelions. Paula Kok – Den Boer first posted “Hello, I am a dandelion̶