The rise of misinformation in journalism during US elections

In recent years, the misappropriation of journalism terminology has become a widespread tool for spreading misinformation, particularly in the context of political elections in the United States. This practice gained attention with instances such as those surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris and other political figures. As outlined by several media watchdogs and fact-checking organisations, false narratives are increasingly being presented as news by using terms like “breaking,” which are traditionally reserved for urgent and significant news stories.

One notable example involves right-wing influencer Benny Johnson, who falsely claimed that Univision broadcast evidence of Kamala Harris using a teleprompter during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas. Johnson, with his substantial following on X (formerly known as Twitter), garnished his misinformation with the label “BREAKING,” suggesting urgency and legitimacy. However, the allegation was debunked by AFP fact-checkers, who confirmed with the event host that the teleprompter displayed only the introduction in Spanish, not Harris’s speech. Yet this misinformation quickly spread across multiple platforms, including Facebook and TikTok.

This trend is not confined to just one incident. Another instance involved a false claim that the Texas Secretary of State had directed poll workers to accept non-citizen driver’s licences as identification for voting. This claim was shared widely on social media under the guise of breaking news, despite federal laws strictly prohibiting non-citizens from voting in presidential elections.

Furthermore, misinformation affected business and political figures such as Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase. Several social media posts, including one shared by former President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, falsely claimed that Dimon had endorsed Trump for the upcoming election. This was categorically denied by Dimon through his spokesperson, who clarified that the executive had not endorsed any candidate.

The systematic use of journalistic terms to propagate election-related falsehoods poses a significant challenge in a media landscape where public trust is already fragile. According to NewsGuard, a media watchdog, over a quarter of false political narratives circulating this year have been associated with terms like “breaking.” NewsGuard has identified 36 instances where these terms have been leveraged to lend credibility to unfounded claims about the 2024 US elections.

The situation is exacerbated by the rise of fake news sites that mimic legitimate local news outlets and the use of artificial intelligence to generate misleading content. These factors contribute to a growing distrust in established media. A Gallup survey published this month indicates that public trust in mass media is at a historic low, with just 31% of Americans expressing confidence in the press, either to “a great deal” or a “fair amount.”

The influence of fabricated headlines falsely attributed to credible sources adds another layer to this complex issue. For instance, headlines suggesting Vice President Harris might “steal” the upcoming election, falsely attributed to The Atlantic, have circulated among conservative groups, further misleading the public. Such tactics, involving the misuse of established journalism terms, showcase how misinformation can gain traction quickly, despite being straightforward to debunk.

Organisations like the News Literacy Project and its subsidiary RumorGuard continue to educate the public on identifying and questioning dubious sources, although they acknowledge the challenge posed by the rapid spread of misinformation. Sam Howard of NewsGuard highlights the strategic use of journalistic jargon by those disseminating false information, while Dan Evon from RumorGuard emphasises the importance of verifying sources and seeking evidence before accepting sensational claims as fact.

Source: Noah Wire Services