As U.S. Election Looms, Agitprop Floods Social Media Platforms
Inflammatory and corrosive rhetoric is being laundered via social media commentary from fringe sites into the mainstream at a time of increasing uncertainty and instability.
Reporting
Threatening Messages Sent to Democratic Party Voters in Battleground States
The emails purport to be from the Proud Boys, but the group denies involvement.
The Saga of Hunter Biden’s Laptop
A story about incriminating emails and other materials found on a laptop that may or may not actually have belonged to Hunter Biden relies heavily on innuendo and paper-thin sourcing.
Suspects in Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Used Facebook as a Recruitment Tool
The ways the alleged co-conspirators used social media for organizing and recruitment came to light following their arrests.
‘Debat’ Trends After Rudy Giuliani Tweets, Deletes a Cryptic Comment
A cryptic two-word tweet from the former New York mayor resulted in an anachronistic term trending on social media.
‘Portland Sheriff’ Refutes Trump’s Debate Claim About Endorsement
During the September 29 2020 presidential debate, Donald Trump claimed the “Portland sheriff” endorsed him; the Multnomah County Sheriff disagreed.
Social Media Amplifies Conspiracies Targeting Biden Before First 2020 Debate
A Facebook “news” partner helped spread a questionable claim to try to benefit United States President Donald Trump.
Conspiracy Forums Amplify Russian Troll Site’s ‘Laundry List’ of Arrested Politicians
Facebook users were irate to find their “source” had already been banned on the platform.
Facebook Blames Lack of Training For Spread of Kenosha ‘Militia’ Gang Content
At least one employee voiced concern that white supremacist content still “reeks” across the platform.
‘A Pound of Flesh’: Facebook’s Provides Little Explanation for Anti-Fascist Takedown
The platform would not say why pages for “It’s Going Down” and other groups were removed.