Trump Supporters Believe And Spread “Junk News” More Than Everybody

Ken AshfordFake News, Right Wing Punditry/IdiocyLeave a Comment

Trump supporters are among the most prolific social media users spreading fake news and conspiracy content, according to new research from Oxford University’s Computational Propaganda Research Project, which has been studying disinformation campaigns globally since 2014. The group’s new findings are based on study of more than 13,000 Twitter accounts representing politically diverse viewpoints, including just under 2,000 pro-Trump accounts—which were identified … Read More

The U.S Civil War-Slash-Revolution Starts Tomorrow (the Antifa Apocalypse)

Ken AshfordFake News, Right Wing and Inept Media, Rightwing Extremism/ViolenceLeave a Comment

What? You didn’t know?: If you are inside the “alt-right” information bubble, you might be preparing yourself for a civil war to commence this Saturday. Since late September, the idea has been circulating on Facebook groups, subreddit message boards, Twitter, and leading conspiracy media outlets that on 4 November, anti-fascist groups will begin a violent insurrection. Some websites are telling their readers … Read More

The “Fake News” Is Coming From Inside The (White) House

Ken AshfordClinton Email Faux Scandal, Fake News, L'Affaire Russe, Trump & Administration2 Comments

I have avoided writing about the Seth Rich conspiracy theory being propped up by Fox. It was just too disgusting. But now it has political, rather than journalistic, implications. Seth Rich was murdered in Washington, D.C. in July 2016 in what police describe as a botched robbery attempt. But the conspiracy-lovin’ right-wing manipulation machine, sensing intrigue — he was MURDERED! — used … Read More

Did CNN Blackmail The Trump/CNN Wrestling GIF Creator?

Ken AshfordFake News, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

This is a 21st century story.  Future historians won’t be able to make sense of this. So after Trump tweeted a GIF of himself in his days as an occasional WWE character tackling and beating a wrestler with the CNN logo edited onto his face…. #FraudNewsCNN #FNN pic.twitter.com/WYUnHjjUjg — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2017 … CNN found the Reddit user who … Read More

The New O’Keefe Video

Ken AshfordFake News, L'Affaire Russe, Right Wing and Inept Media, Wiretapping & SurveillanceLeave a Comment

WH spox Sarah Sanders: “There’s a video circulating now, whether it’s accurate or not I don’t know.” Encourages everyone in nation to watch. — Steve Peoples (@sppeoples) June 27, 2017 So, the White House spokesman wants people to watch a video even though she doesn’t know if it is accurate.  How’s that for devotion to the truth? The video is … Read More

Is WikiTribune The Answer To “Fake News”?

Ken AshfordFake News, Science & Technology, Social Media & NetworkingLeave a Comment

Nieman Lab: Good things can happen when a crowd goes to work on trying to figure out a problem in journalism. At the same time, completely crowdsourced news investigations can go bad without oversight — as when, for example, a group of Redditors falsely accused someone of being the Boston Marathon bomber. An entirely crowdsourced investigation with nobody to oversee … Read More

More Fake News Believers Getting Violent

Ken AshfordCrime, Fake NewsLeave a Comment

This is getting out of hand: A Tampa woman is accused of making death threats to the parent of a first grader who died in the Sandy Hook massacre. Investigators say 57-year-old Lucy Richards is among those who believe the 2012 shooting, that killed 20 children and 6 adults, was all a hoax. Her disbelief is so strong, investigators say … Read More

The Power Of Fake News

Ken AshfordFake News, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

This morning, Trump got on Twitter (you know this doesn’t end good, right?) and tweeted this: Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016 P.S. (although it really is another story unto itself) Trump sent … Read More