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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrolls and bots are flooding social media with disinformation encouraging states to end quarantine
Trolls and bots are flooding social media with disinformation encouraging states to end quarantine
Thor Benson at Business Insider
https://www.businessinsider.com/trolls-bots-flooding-social-media-with-anti-quarantine-disinformation-2020-4
Apr 24, 2020, 10:47 AM
People take part in a protest for "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on April 15, 2020. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
Protests have popped up around the US calling for states to end quarantine and reopen businesses.
An analysis from Bot Sentinel, a bot tracking platform, found that bots and trolls have been stoking sentiments online that have fueled the protests, using hashtags like #ReopenAmericaNow and #StopTheMadness.
Online disinformation seemingly used to stoke political tension in the US has been frequently reported on since the 2016 election when Russian actors used bots and active trolling to support Donald Trump, organize events, and spread political memes.
Brooke Binkowski, managing editor of the fact-checking website Truth or Fiction, says that reporters need to do a better job of reporting on the protests in the context of the disinformation.
C_U_L8R
(45,020 posts)applegrove
(118,778 posts)As long as the resulting suffering of Trump's based is successfully blamed on some 'other' the death cult will march on.
58Sunliner
(4,398 posts)Much easier to control if there are fewer of us to mount a protest and effect change.
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)I thought I saw an article recently that he had purchased a bunch of bots.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)msongs
(67,441 posts)elias7
(4,026 posts)The elderly are at greatest risk of death, and the R wing is at greatest risk of infection.
bpositive
(423 posts)Being orchestrated by trump and his minions. The behavior is in line with trumps message and desires. Pressure from Trump , pressure from bots, and pressure from below I.e. disgruntled citizens and Miltia. Trump benefits or he thinks that he benefits by the economy opening. And he benefits if states do not open I.e. they didnt listen to me. All fuck up.