5 Misinformation Trends Surrounding Mass Protests
Exploring the common patterns of misinformation during large-scale protests and how to identify them.
Following days of protests against the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and militarized federal forces in Los Angeles, downtown L.A. residents remained under curfew. California governor Gavin Newsom clashed with President Trump, who deployed Marines to the area. Amidst this, memes and misinformation flooded the internet.
The 'No Kings' organizing coalition has planned thousands of peaceful demonstrations to coincide with Trump's military parade. While organizers aim for the 'largest single-day, peaceful protest' in U.S. history, concerns arise about state-sanctioned violence and the spread of viral falsehoods to undermine news coverage.
Peter Adams of the News Literacy Project explains that mass protests are breeding grounds for online misinformation. Protests often revolve around polarizing issues, activating political identities and influencing how people react to information online. As societal polarization increases, this trend intensifies.
Misinformation debunking organizations like NewsGuard have identified numerous false posts, including claims that Governor Newsom posted outdated or AI-generated photos of national guard troops. These claims were amplified by AI chatbots like Grok and ChatGPT, which provided confusing or misleading responses.
Viral posts from partisan voices have misattributed quotes from leaders like California congresswoman Maxine Waters and Mexican president Claudia Scheinbaum. Adams highlights that viral misinformation follows recognizable patterns, which can be identified and countered.
Key misinformation trends to watch out for include:
1. AI chatbot errors and hallucinations, as they often provide outdated or inaccurate information during fast-moving events.
2. The 'paid protester' myth, often spread through fake ads or misleading screenshots.
3. Claims of pre-staged violence, such as strategically placed bricks, often supported by misleading images from unrelated events.
4. Recycled footage from past protests or unrelated events, used to inflame public reaction.
5. Video game or movie clips passed off as real events, further complicated by generative AI.
Adams advises being cautious of user-generated content, unknown sources, and emotional appeals. Verifying information before sharing is crucial to avoid amplifying falsehoods. In an environment where reality is distorted, democracy struggles to flourish.