Tag: fact checking
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Fact-Checking Trump’s Year One Claims in the White House
Overview: The task of judging a presidential claim When a former president takes the stage to summarize a year in office, audiences are often shown a rapid-fire montage of numbers. In the recent rally in Iowa, Donald Trump presented a flurry of statistics he said demonstrated the success of his first year back in the…
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Fact-Checking Trump’s First-Year White House Claims
Introduction: Fact-Checking the Rhetoric During a recent rally, former President Donald Trump laid out a string of figures about what he described as the success of his first year back in the White House. As public figures increasingly blend statistics with political messaging, voters deserve a clear, nonpartisan fact check. This article reviews the most…
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AI-generated news must carry nutrition labels, thinktank says
Introduction: a new dictum for AI-generated news As artificial intelligence becomes more ingrained in the creation and curation of current affairs, a prominent left-of-centre thinktank is urging a first-of-its-kind accountability measure: nutrition labels for AI-generated news. The proposal argues that readers deserve a clear, standardized way to assess the source, integrity, and potential biases of…
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When “Independent Journalists” Aren’t Really Journalists: The Minneapolis Federal Occupation and the Role of Vlogs in Violent Outcomes
Introduction: The blurred line between independent media and advocacy The phrase “independent journalists” has become a badge of credibility for countless creators who publish everyday observations, on-the-ground footage, and opinion-rich reporting to platforms with no formal newsroom oversight. But when a roving vlogger with a smartphone covers a tense confrontation with federal agents, questions arise…
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When Independent Journalists Cross a Line: The Minneapolis Occupation and the Media Ethics Crisis
Introduction: A moment of journalistic fault lines In moments of civil tension, audiences crave clarity. But when the line between reporting and sensationalism blurs, it can undermine trust in journalism itself. The events in Minneapolis, where federal activity intersected with local communities and where killings were reported in the wake of immigration enforcement, have sparked…
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When “Independent Journalists” Aren’t Really Journalists: The Minimized Cost of Misinformation in Times of Crisis
Understanding the phenomenon The phrase “independent journalist” can evoke images of fearless truth-tellers uncovering hidden stories. In practice, however, the label can be applied far more loosely, especially in the heat of a crisis. When private citizens, vloggers, or anonymous online personalities broadcast live from protests or flashpoints, their content often travels faster than traditional…
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Inside the Jenna Ortega and Johnny Depp Dating Speculation: Debunking the Rumors
The Rumor That Never Took Hold In the fast-paced world of celebrity gossip, a tantalizing pairing can spark headlines overnight. The chatter around Jenna Ortega and Johnny Depp dating is a prime example. However, the stories circulating online were never grounded in credible reporting, verified collaborations, or any verifiable evidence. Instead, they began as a…
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Mary Robinson Says Elements of Fascism Are Clearly Present in the US Government
Former President Mary Robinson Raises Alarm Over US Governance In a striking comment on contemporary politics, former Irish president Mary Robinson asserted that elements of fascism are clearly present within the administration of United States President Donald Trump. Speaking in a public forum, Robinson framed her remarks around concerns about rising authoritarian rhetoric, suppression of…
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Striking gold the SIM card way: Debunking a viral claim on extracting gold from SIM cards
Introduction: a viral claim stirs online chatter A startling story circulating on Chinese social media alleges that a man extracted more than 210,000 yuan (about RM120,700) in gold from SIM cards. The post, widely shared across platforms, frames this as a simple, almost magical way to turn everyday phone accessories into treasure. But the claim…
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Amelia: The AI-Generated British Schoolgirl Stirring Far-Right Discourse Online
Introduction: An online anomaly that unsettles researchers Across niche feeds and algorithmic recommendation systems, a curious phenomenon has emerged: an AI-generated figure known as Amelia, a purple-haired British schoolgirl who presents as a bold, goth-styled persona. Described by some observers as a far-right social media star, Amelia’s rise is less about a single post or…