Apr 06 Why COVID-19 conspiracy theories persist By David Klepper, Associated Press Conspiracy theories about the coronavirus have flourished since the global pandemic was declared a year ago. Researchers want to know why, and are examining the reasons some people believe conspiracy theories and others don't. Continue reading
Feb 28 Watch 5:11 How online misinformation from local-level Republicans helped fuel the Capitol riot By PBS NewsHour What level of online influence did local and state-level Republican officials have in the lead-up to the Capitol insurrection? An Associated Press investigation delved into the public and private social media accounts of nearly 1,000 Republican officials to look at… Continue watching
Jan 29 Checked by reality, some QAnon supporters seek a way out By David Klepper, Associated Press Some followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory are now turning to online support groups and even therapy to help them move on, now that it's clear Donald Trump's presidency is over. Continue reading
Dec 03 Right-wing users flock to Parler as social media giants rein in misinformation By Alex Newhouse, The Conversation Parler is similar to Twitter but doesn’t control or discourage hate speech or calls to violence. Continue reading
Oct 15 YouTube follows Twitter and Facebook with QAnon crackdown By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press The Google-owned video platform said Thursday it will now prohibit material targeting a person or group with conspiracy theories that have been used to justify violence. Continue reading
Oct 15 WATCH: Experts testify on spread of online misinformation, conspiracy theories ahead of election By Joshua Barajas Several experts testified at a virtual House committee hearing today on how the U.S. government can take steps to stem the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories, often homegrown in the U.S., ahead of the 2020 election. Continue reading
Oct 12 Facebook bans Holocaust denial, distortion posts By Matt O'Brien, Associated Press Facebook is banning posts that deny or distort the Holocaust and will start directing people to authoritative sources if they search for information about the Nazi genocide. Continue reading
Jul 29 Holocaust survivors urge Facebook to remove denial posts By Associated Press Holocaust survivors around the world are lending their voices to a campaign launched Wednesday targeting Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg, urging him to take action to remove denial of the Nazi genocide from the social media site. Continue reading
Jul 05 Facebook groups pivot to attacks on Black Lives Matter By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press A loose network of Facebook groups that took root across the country in April to organize protests over coronavirus stay-at-home orders has become a hub of misinformation and conspiracy theories that have pivoted to a variety of new targets. Their… Continue reading
May 18 Watch 8:57 Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Trump attacking Obama, and Obama speaking out NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including the escalating rhetorical war between President Trump and former President Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign strategy and… Continue watching