False information and misuse of ‘breaking news’ in 2024 US election year

False Information and Misuse of “Breaking News” in 2024 US Election Year

In a climate already charged with political tension in the run-up to the US elections, technological platforms are facing scrutiny over their handling of false information. A recent report by AFP highlights the growing trend of misusing terms like “breaking news” to reinforce false narratives, a move that further erodes trust in traditional media, which surveys indicate is already at an all-time low.

Research indicates that individuals and entities spreading disinformation frequently employ terms associated with journalistic immediacy, such as “breaking” or “exclusive,” in order to lend an undeserved air of legitimacy to their posts. Sam Howard, politics editor at NewsGuard, a media watchdog, elaborated on this practice, explaining its significant role in disseminating misleading political narratives during the current election year.

One particularly notorious instance involved Benny Johnson, a right-wing influencer with a significant following on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Johnson made a viral post claiming that Univision had inadvertently shown Vice President Kamala Harris using a teleprompter during a town hall meeting held in Las Vegas. The clip, viewed by millions, appeared to substantiate the claim by briefly displaying a teleprompter before it was turned off.

However, this claim was swiftly debunked by AFP fact-checkers. They confirmed that the teleprompter was only used by the event’s host for an introduction in Spanish and not by Harris herself. Despite this clarification, similar unfounded claims began spreading across other social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok.

RumorGuard’s Evon noted that while the tactic of dressing up falsehoods with journalistic language is prevalent, it is not particularly difficult to expose. He recommended a measured approach to consuming information on social media, encouraging individuals to verify sources and gather substantial evidence before accepting information as true.

The US presidential election, set for November 5, 2024, sees incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump as key candidates. As the date approaches, the spread of misinformation continues to pose a formidable challenge, highlighting the need for vigilance in media consumption and fact-checking.

Source: Noah Wire Services