misinformation Archives

Misinformation Surrounding Indian Student’s Death in Massachusetts Sparks Outrage in India

Boston, Massachusetts – The recent death of an Indian student in Massachusetts has sparked controversy and misinformation in India, leading to sensationalized claims about the circumstances surrounding his demise. Abhijeeth Paruchuru, a 20-year-old University of Massachusetts Dartmouth student, was tragically found dead in a car in Freetown on March 8. Authorities in Massachusetts have indicated that they believe he died by suicide, with significant evidence pointing towards this conclusion. Despite these findings, sensationalized reports in …

Social Media Influencers Misinforming Gen Z About Birth Control: Doctors Concerned About Surge in Misinformation

Washington, D.C. – The rise of misinformation surrounding birth control on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram has become a concerning trend, with misleading content influencing young women’s perceptions of hormonal contraception. Videos vilifying birth control methods, spreading false information about side effects, and promoting questionable alternatives have proliferated, causing confusion among viewers. Doctors and healthcare professionals have expressed alarm at the surge in misinformation targeting teenagers and young adults, who are more susceptible …

Continuing Misinformation Surrounding COVID-19 Vaccines Trends as Public Health Crisis Persists

Los Angeles, California – As the world grappled with the emergence of the novel coronavirus pandemic, misinformation quickly spread, fueling uncertainties and fears. From false claims linking COVID-19 symptoms to 5G technology to unproven treatments and denial of the virus’s existence, misinformation ran rampant as the pandemic took hold. As the years passed, public health measures began to ease, but misinformation surrounding COVID-19 persisted. Now, focus has shifted to vaccines and vaccine-related conspiracy theories, with …

Social Media Misinformation Surrounding Kansas City Parade Shooting Exposed

KANSAS CITY, MO – A tragic incident during the victory parade for the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs on Feb. 14 in Kansas City led to the death of one person and injuries to 22 others. The victim, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, 43, a mother of two and DJ in the Kansas City area, was among those who lost their lives that day. The injured individuals ranged in age from 8 to 47 years old. Following the shooting, …

Whitewashing, Misinformation, and Defense: How Right-Wing Media Shapes the Narrative of the January 6 Insurrection

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, right-wing media figures have been actively working to downplay the violent attack and propagate misinformation and conspiracy theories. This has led to a shift in public opinion, with Republicans now less likely to believe that the participants in the insurrection were mostly violent, less likely to hold then-President Donald Trump responsible for the attack, and slightly less likely to …

Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr. Fuel Misinformation After Iowa School Shooting, Spreading False Claims About LGBTQ+ Community

DES MOINES, Iowa – After a tragic shooting at an Iowa high school, influential right-wing figures, including Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr., and Libs of TikTok, spread misinformation about the shooters’ alleged association with the LGBTQ+ community. The incident occurred at Perry High School near Des Moines, Iowa, resulting in the death of a sixth-grade student and injuries to at least seven others. The attacker, identified as Dylan Butler, a 17-year-old former student at the …