Ep. 18: Fake News Panic and the Silencing of Dissident Media

Since Hillary Clinton's surprise 2016 electoral loss to Donald Trump, there have been thousands of articles, columns, and op-eds lamenting the rise of so-called “Fake News” and its pernicious effect on our democracy. The definition of what exactly "Fake News" is has never quite been made clear - yet this hasn’t stopped major corporate media outlets and even the U.S. Congress from rushing to curb this uniquely pernicious and dangerous "threat."

The primary response to this alleged crisis - the creation of a tiered, fact-checking system for social media that effectively bifurcates “real news” and “fake news” - has many in alternative, Leftist, and libertarian media claiming the anti-Fake News algorithms made by Twitter, Facebook, and Google have reduced their web traffic and readership. While it’s difficult to gauge the specifics of these individual reports, it does seem clear at this point that dissident media has taken a hit from efforts to stop co-called “Fake News.”

So what are the origins of this panic and whom does it benefit? How can one protect against obvious bullshit without bestowing the power to arbitrate truth unto a handful of U.S. national security state-aligned corporations and tech giants?

In this episode, we dive into the Fake News hole with Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, New York Times best selling author, and activist Chris Hedges.

Show Notes

Everyone Wants to Stop ‘Fake News,’ but No One Seems to Know What Exactly It Is 

Adam Johnson | December 9, 2016 | The Nation

‘Fake News’ in America: Homegrown, and Far From New

Chris Hedges | December 19, 2016 | truthdig 

The Silencing of Dissent 

Chris Hedges | September 17, 2017 | truthdig 

Fake News on Russia and Other Official Enemies 

Edward S. Herman | July 1, 2017 | Monthly Review

Understanding the ‘Fake News’ Hysteria

David P. Hamilton | October 16, 2017 | ConsortiumNews

WashPost Is Richly Rewarded for False News About Russia Threat While Public Is Deceived

Glenn Greenwald | January 4, 2017 | The Intercept

The Propaganda About Russian Propaganda 

Adrian Chen | December 1, 2016 | The New Yorker

Washington Post Disgracefully Promotes a McCarthyite Blacklist From a New, Hidden, and Very Shady Group

Glenn Greenwald, Ben Norton | November 26, 2016 | The Intercept

The fake news problem isn't nearly as bad as you might think

Sean Illing | January 27, 2017 | Vox

Facebook's 'Fake News' Solution Isn't Going to Solve the Problem

Tom McKay | September 13, 2017 | Gizmodo

How Mainstream Sites Contribute To The 'Fake News' Problem 

Tony Bradley | June 30, 2017 | Forbes

***

Referenced

Donald Trump Rode $5 Billion in Free Media to the White House 

Emily Stewart | November 20, 2016 | The Street

Release the Trolls 

Michael Bueckert | July 18, 2017 | Jacobin

Israel student union sets up “war room” to sell Gaza massacre on Facebook 

Ali Abunimah | July 14, 2014 | Electronic Intifada

Revealed: US spy operation that manipulates social media

Nick Fielding, Ian Cobain | March 17, 2011 | The Guardian

A fake news writer reveals how he's making money on Facebook

 Jake Horowitz, Kendall Ciesemier | November 3, 2017 | Mic