‘We Took Police At Their Word’: Florida News Outlets Fuel Latest Police ‘Overdose’ Story Clinical experts have long questioned the idea that fentanyl blown by the wind can be harmful.
How Local ABC Affiliates Spread the Same Debunked ‘Warning’ About Fentanyl A story out of Los Angeles, California that hinged on fearmongering from law enforcement regarding “Halloween fentanyl” in October 2022 served as another example of how television news affiliates can amplify disinformation — all without listing any one person as responsible. A Los Angeles-area ABC affiliate, KABC, reported on October 19 2022: Authorities are again […]
Elected Officials Spread Questionable Claims of ‘Rainbow Fentanyl’ Lawmakers are calling for more funding to fight a danger that experts have repeatedly said is vastly exaggerated.
Fentanyl on Dollar Bills, and Facebook Warnings about fentanyl on dollar bills make for good social media storytelling, but it's unlikely anyone would "overdose" on fentanyl in that fashion.
Is a Kansas City News Outlet Ducking Questions About its ‘Fentanyl Overdose’ Story? KCTV's report relied solely on police sources and a narrative that has been roundly debunked.
San Diego Sheriff Admits No Doctor Verified ‘Overdose’ Claim in Viral Video Medical experts have called on news outlets to correct their reporting on the video.
News Organizations Uncritically Spread Sheriff’s Fentanyl ‘Overdose’ Video Medical groups have flatly said that it is impossible to overdose by touching the substance.
Does Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana Smell Like Popcorn? On April 4 2019, the following warning appeared (archived here), containing the claim that marijuana smokers can detect fentanyl contamination by smell: https://www.facebook.com/arty.martin/posts/10161569723830321 In addition to its primary claim (that fentanyl-laced weed smells like popcorn), the post contained some secondary tacit claims: primarily that marijuana can be contaminated with fentanyl and that smoking it could be lethal. […]
‘Fake Xanax Pill Kills Nine in Florida’ A real story out of Florida in 2016 was re-packaged after the fact and presented as if it were still happening.
