Category: Rumors and Misinformation

No, poll workers aren’t handing out Sharpies to invalidate ballots.

The writing utensils figured prominently in conspiracy theories in previous elections. But they’re often fine to use on paper ballots.
As Election Looms, Disinformation ‘Has Never Been Worse’

A torrent of falsehoods, from home and abroad, have undermined what was once a shared faith in the honesty of America’s democracy.
Hurricane Recovery Efforts Disrupted by Conspiracy Theories and Falsehoods

Experts warn that weather-related disinformation can rapidly escalate into real-world risks and distract from aid.
How Iceland Became a Virtual Home for Online Disinformation and Identity Theft

A Reykjavik building that houses a penis museum and an H&M is also the virtual home to an array of perpetrators of identity theft, ransomware and disinformation.
Athens Democracy Forum: Rethinking Journalism

In a time when social media tends to rule the day, what can traditional news organizations to do regain trust?
Elon Musk’s Week on X: Deepfakes, Falsehoods and Lots of Memes

Almost a third of 171 posts last week from the X owner were false, misleading or missing vital context.
Smartmatic-Newsmax Defamation Case Heads to Trial

Smartmatic, an election technology company, has accused the right-wing cable news channel of knowingly spreading false vote-rigging claims.
How News Outlets Like Fox and CNN Are Preparing for Election Day

Here’s how they’re preparing to make calls in a very tight race — and ensure that viewers and readers believe them.
How Meta Distanced Itself From Politics

Ahead of November’s election, Meta has de-emphasized political content on Facebook, Instagram and Threads and doesn’t want to talk about candidates or campaigns.
How the Kremlin Might Get Past RT Bans to Spread Its Message

Social media companies may try to ban RT, the Russian state media broadcaster. But the network has proved in the past to be a wily adversary when confronted with efforts to silence it.
Threats Against Haitians Land at the Doorstep of The Haitian Times

Racist emails. Swatting. Intimidated sources. The Haitian Times has been receiving some of the same threats that it has been covering in Springfield, Ohio.
On YouTube, Major Brands’ Ads Appear Alongside Racist Falsehoods About Haitian Immigrants

Large organizations and brands saw their advertising dollars funneled to videos amplifying inflammatory narratives, underscoring how difficult it can be to maintain brand safety online.