Untangling The Disinformation Boom

Rampant conspiracy theories are undermining democracy and public health. Here's how to get the facts and bring others back from the brink.

by Christopher Dean Hopkins Matt Williams for NPR   False conspiracy theories have always been a part of U.S. history, but experts say they're spreading faster and wider than ever before – accelerated by social media, encouraged by former President Trump, and weaponized in a way not seen before in American history. Some conspiracy theories have become cyclical: QAnon’s invention of a secret child sex ring catering to the elite is a direct echo of earlier conspiracy theories, including the "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s. Conspiracy theories and disinformation could be considered a fundamental part of American history. NPR's history podcast, Throughline, unpacked how conspiracy theories helped to create the United States and became the currency of political opportunists. Listen to the episode here.  Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images   The coronavirus pandemic and efforts to control it have been major targets for misinformation since the beginning of 2020. Prominent anti-vaccine activists have been especially active, with just a dozen people responsible for nearly two-thirds of vaccine hoax shares on social media — often seeking to turn a profit on the falsehoods. The odds of dying after getting a COVID-19 vaccine are virtually nonexistent. But much of the disinformation can be difficult to spot, and is often wrapped around or exaggerating kernels of truth.  Newsletter continues after sponsor message Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images   Political misinformation escalated throughout the 2020 election, cresting in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol — a pro-Trump riot even GOP leaders say was driven by lies. The biggest of those lies — that Trump was cheated out of a second term as president — has become ingrained among some Republicans.  has become ingrained among some Republicans.  People who stormed the Capitol were radicalized by what they consumed online and in social media. That should sound familiar: Ten years ago, ISIS used a similar strategy to lure Americans to Syria. The full repercussions of so many false claims are still playing out — in public opinion about the Black Lives Matter Movement, among anti-vaccine advocates, and on Facebook.  How To Fight Misinformation Lindsey Balbierz for NPR   With all this false information flying around, how can you sort out what’s real? NPR’s Life Kit podcast looks at ways to disengage from social media and exercising skepticism about new information you encounter. Listen here or read this comic.   Isabel Seliger for NPR   Many Americans say they feel divided from friends and family members who've sunk deeper and deeper into online conspiracy theory communities. Experts in cult deprogramming have suggestions for communicating with them. To keep up on the latest news about disinformation, follow NPR’s ongoing coverage. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy