Active Shooter Misinformation

FBI Chief’s Data Undercuts Trump’s D.C. Crime Narrative

Candace Owens expressed panic and called the Macrons’ lawsuit a “foreign invasion” due to its challenge to free speech, urging Trump and J.D. Vance to intervene. Owens criticized Trump’s silence, stating he should defend the First Amendment and condemn the French leader’s actions regardless of his views on the individual’s gender. She claims the lawsuit is an attempt to impoverish her for speaking her mind. The original author points out that Owens has been spreading misinformation about the First Lady of France for months.

Read More

CDC Shooter’s Father Says Vaccine Belief Fueled Violence

A Georgia man, identified as Patrick Joseph White, opened fire at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, citing the COVID-19 vaccine as a source of his depression. The shooter, armed with multiple guns, was stopped from entering the CDC but then opened fire at a pharmacy across the street, resulting in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose. Following the incident, CDC employees were left shaken, and some expressed concerns about security and misinformation, while the shooter’s father had contacted the police to identify his son as a possible suspect. This event led to expressions of sympathy from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., but also calls for his resignation from some employees.

Read More

Police Officer Killed in Atlanta Shooting: Anti-Vax Misinformation, CDC Targeted

A CDC employee witnessed a man approach the agency’s campus and fire shots at Building 21, initially mistaking the backpack for fishing gear. The employee reported hearing multiple shots and immediately contacted 911. After ensuring his children were safe, he continued to hear gunfire for several minutes, and learned that colleagues and friends’ children were under lockdown. The CDC building shares a border with Emory University.

Read More

Cuomo Mocked for Falling for Deepfake AOC Video and Subsequent Response

Chris Cuomo, a NewsNation host, shared a widely-circulated AI-generated “deepfake” video parodying Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which he criticized without recognizing the video’s artificial nature. After being called out by Ocasio-Cortez for the misinformation, Cuomo deleted the post but doubled down on his criticism, further fueling online mockery. His actions, including a non-apology on air, drew criticism for his handling of the situation and his focus on the congresswoman rather than acknowledging his mistake. The controversy is viewed as a significant blunder for Cuomo, who was previously fired from CNN, and highlights his strained relationship with Ocasio-Cortez, as well as his brother’s primary defeat.

Read More

AOC Slams Chris Cuomo for Believing Obvious AI Deepfake

Chris Cuomo was fooled by a deepfake video impersonating Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which he shared on X before being called out. The fabricated video showed the congresswoman criticizing a Sydney Sweeney jeans ad, prompting Cuomo to lament the state of the Democratic Party. After Ocasio-Cortez corrected him, Cuomo acknowledged his mistake but doubled down by attempting to shift the conversation towards Hamas and addressing the bombing of a car in St. Louis. This incident occurred amid right-wing figures focusing on the ad, which has become a distraction, with Fox News mentioning Sweeney’s name significantly more than Jeffrey Epstein’s in the past week.

Read More

Picture Agency Drops Gaza Photographer After Staged Hunger Images Emerge

Picture agencies dropping a Gaza photographer after a documentary revealed hunger images were staged is a stark illustration of the challenges surrounding reporting from conflict zones. It’s a scenario that reveals the complex interplay between truth, propaganda, and the undeniable suffering of those caught in the crossfire. The damage from such fabricated images, the very point of their creation, runs deep.

The immediate concern revolves around the integrity of news organizations. The decision by the German Press Agency and AFP to cease working with the photographer, Fteiha, after the discovery of staged images is a straightforward and expected response. The surprising element, however, is Reuters’ statement that the images “meet the standards of accuracy, independence, and impartiality”.… Continue reading

FBI Data Shows Republicans’ 2024 Crime Wave Narrative False

In 2024, the FBI reported a significant decrease in violent crime, including murder, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault, continuing a trend observed throughout President Biden’s term. Property crime and hate crimes also saw declines. Despite these positive statistics, Republican leaders, including Donald Trump, publicly downplayed or outright denied the data, making false claims about rising crime rates during the 2024 campaign season. The article suggests that these leaders may have been deliberately misrepresenting the facts to scare voters and gain political advantage.

Read More

Trump’s Drug Price Claim: A 1500% Reduction That Defies Math

During a recent appearance, President Trump claimed his administration had lowered drug prices by an impossible 1200-1500 percent. This statement, which was met with widespread ridicule, follows Trump’s pattern of citing unrealistic figures on various topics. This claim also occurred just days after the firing of a top government statistics official due to job growth data. The president has been previously criticized for making similar inaccurate statements regarding inflation and poll numbers.

Read More

South Korea’s Anti-Fake News Push on YouTube: Concerns and Context

President Lee Jae-myung has directed the government to develop strategies to combat the proliferation of fake news on platforms like YouTube, citing the financial incentives driving its spread. He proposed punitive measures, including exemplary damages, to deter those disseminating false information. Additionally, Lee addressed the relationship with Vietnam, requesting a review of potential actions to strengthen ties, including increased acceptance of Vietnamese workers as a humanitarian gesture. Finally, the President also called for reform of the public housing system to curb property price increases and return profits to the public sector.

Read More

NYT Amends Gaza Starvation Story: Omitting Child’s Prior Medical Condition Sparks Outrage

The New York Times amended its reporting on the death of a Gazan child, Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, clarifying the child’s pre-existing medical condition. The initial coverage failed to mention that al-Matouq suffered from cerebral palsy, a detail the newspaper subsequently added after receiving information from the hospital that treated him. This addition aimed to provide a more complete understanding of the child’s health situation and the circumstances surrounding his death. The revised story now reflects a more nuanced account.

Read More