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Month: January 2017

"Fake news" targets those with preconceptions says study

"Fake news" targets those with preconceptions says study

Study finds it is doubtful that fake news changed vote outcomes. “It may be less that false information from dubious news sources is shaping their view of the world. Rather, some people (about 8 percent of the adult population, if we take the survey data at face value) are willing to believe anything that sounds plausible and fits their preconceptions about the heroes and villains in politics.” Source: Researchers Created Fake News. Here’s What They Found. – NYTimes.com The study…

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Republican runs fake news web site

Republican runs fake news web site

Cam Harris, who fabricated viral stories about Hillary Clinton, did so while living in the home of his boss, a Republican member of the Maryland legislature. Source: Major Fake News Operation Tracked Back to Republican Operative Also see “Man behind ‘alt right’ fake news sites is registered Democrat” For all of these, making money is usually the motivation. Secondarily, they may be playing dirty politics, but as the 2nd link illustrates, even that meme is messed up when fake news…

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The first story is the one that is remembered, even if wrong

The first story is the one that is remembered, even if wrong

TL;DR Summary A media outlet ran a story with the headline “”Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point Scholarship“, based in part on muddled comments from Ben Carson that were not clear. The false version of the story was picked up by media and spread rapidly on social media. The story was eventually shown as incorrect and prominent media called the story a “lie”. But the damage was done. Propagandists know that the first message received by the target, even if…

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