Nation Aug 10 CDC shooter believed COVID vaccine was harmful; union says misinformation put staff at risk A Georgia man who had blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal has been identified as the shooter who opened fire late Friday on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, killing a police officer. By Susan Haigh, Associated Press
Health Jul 22 Watch 7:50 Examining the facts about contraceptives as birth control misinformation spreads online The birth control pill is one of the most common forms of contraception in the U.S. But in recent years, claims of side effects of the pill have filled social media platforms, often fueled by influencers promoting misinformation. Special correspondent… By Sarah Varney, Shrai Popat
Health Jul 20 Watch 4:51 What to know about the rise of mental health misinformation on social media In recent years, people have become more comfortable sharing their personal experiences about mental health, a sign that stigma around it is diminishing. On Instagram and TikTok combined, there are nearly 90 million posts with the hashtag “mental health.” But… By Stephanie Sy, Claire Mufson, Andrew Corkery
Politics Jun 18 Watch 6:58 How misinformation spread after Minnesota lawmaker’s murder As news about the murders in Minneapolis broke over the weekend, misinformation began spreading on social media instantly. And in an era of artificial intelligence and limited internal fact-checking, experts say rumors and disinformation are catching fire online in entirely… By Stephanie Sy, Mary Fecteau
Mar 23 Watch 7:16 How online misinformation is ‘supercharging’ conspiracy theories By John Yang Can conspiracy theorists be shaken from their firm — and unsubstantiated — beliefs? Podcaster Zach Mack wanted to find out, so he turned to someone he’s debated about conspiracies for years: his father. He tells what happened in “Alternate Realties,”… Continue watching
Jan 07 Watch 5:44 As Meta drops fact-checking, critics fear it could pave the way for a misinformation spike By Geoff Bennett Meta announced it's ending third-party fact-checking on its platforms, calling the decision a return to a “fundamental commitment to free expression.” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the rules had become too restrictive and prone to over-enforcement. Geoff Bennett discussed the implications… Continue watching
Jan 05 How a Fox News report fueled false claims by Trump and others about the New Orleans suspect By Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact The suspected driver in the New Year’s truck attack in New Orleans was a U.S. citizen and U.S. Army veteran. But within hours of the deadly attack, President-elect Donald Trump, Republican leaders and social media influencers speculated that he had… Continue reading
Oct 28 Watch 8:18 U.S. cybersecurity officials warn of foreign efforts to sow doubt and chaos around election By Nick Schifrin, Sonia Kopelev From disinformation to hacking and leaking, America’s adversaries have never been this busy before an election. U.S. intelligence officials have detailed Russian disinformation, Iranian hacking and leaking efforts and a Chinese focus on congressional candidates critical of Beijing. Nick Schifrin… Continue watching
Oct 28 Watch 8:39 North Carolina election workers battle misinformation and conspiracies after Helene By Laura Barrón-López, Ian Couzens, Sam Lane North Carolina will be one of the closest-watched swing states on election night. On top of the challenges brought by Hurricane Helene, election officials have confronted a years-long swirl of disinformation, conspiracies and threats to workers by Donald Trump and… Continue watching