How dubious 'local news' sites are feeding US misinformation

By Agence France-Presse

Nov 03, 2022 12:04 am

Washington, United States: When Elon Musk amplified a conspiracy theory about the hammer attack on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, he joined the growing ranks of Americans routinely sharing misinformation published by dubious websites presenting themselves as local news outlets.

The new Twitter owner eventually deleted his tweet linking to the false article by the Santa Monica Observer, but millions had already digested and re-circulated a smear that went viral on Facebook and other social networks.

San Francisco district attorney Brooke Jenkins speaks during a news conference about the case of the man who allegedly broke into the home of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacked her husband, Paul, on Oct. 31, 2022 in San Francisco, California. AFP PHOTO

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