From the political column of the Atlanta Constitution-Journal (AJC):
Really Fake News. If you’re scrolling in your social media news feeds over the next two months, beware of the “Georgia Star,” a new website to be launched by fervent Trump supporter, John Fredericks.
Media Matters describes it as the newest in “a network of websites that launder right-wing media content and talking points through pages designed to look like local news sites.”
We fully expect outlandish claims, false accusations, and dirty tricks between now and January 5th – and they will most likely show up on social media first and foremost. So before you “like,” “subscribe,” or “forward,” a story you just can’t believe, consider the source.
And, once again, we see how the Internet enables any kook, of any political persuasion, to not only spout off views (like I do), but to also participate in propaganda efforts with a fair chance of actually making them work.
Which means, mislead readers.
Back in the bad old days of no Internet, readers had a couple of local choices and two or three national choices, and that was about it. If a paper was taken over by a deliberately misleading corporation, then it was a problem – but quite often such propaganda outlets were quickly identified and abandoned by readers, leading to substantial financial losses.
Nowadays? A web site is abandoned, so what? They’re freaking cheap. (Why do you think I keep doing this? ‘cuz I’ve got a big mouth, lots of opinions, and it doesn’t cost much.) You run off and start another, sell a little advertising space, and off you go again.
Be warned, not all news sites are trustworthy. Wise readers already know not to read RT, Breitbart, and many others, except for amusement. The Georgia Star and its ilk – what I’m tempted to call the Barstool Blowhard “news” sites – will be another to avoid.
