“Breaking” news, screamed an online post by a conservative American influencer as he pushed disinformation about Kamala Harris, illustrating how journalism lingo has been co-opted as a tool to amplify election falsehoods.
The misuse of the term, typically deployed by media outlets to relay major news developments, is part of an assault on reality across tech platforms that researchers said have relaxed their guardrails against false information in a crucial election year.
It is yet another disinformation trend undermining trust in traditional media – already at historic lows, surveys show – alongside the proliferation of fake “news” sites and the growing tactic of attributing false information to legitimate media outlets.
Disinformation peddlers “use terms like ‘breaking’ in an apparent attempt to convey legitimacy,” Sam Howard, politics editor at the watchdog, NewsGuard, said.
“This tactic has had a conspicuous role in false US political narratives that have spread in 2024.”
In a recent viral post to his 2.8 million followers on X, the former Twitter, right-wing influencer Benny Johnson wrote: “Breaking: Univision accidentally broadcast proof that Kamala used a teleprompter at her town hall.”
Esta historia es de la edición October 22, 2024 de The Citizen.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 22, 2024 de The Citizen.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Heather's Boy prepares for Cape
FORM: UNBEATEN DE KOCK RUNNER TO CONFIRM HIS REPUTATION AHEAD OF CAPE GUINEAS
Courage wins the day for Atticus
IMPRESSIVE: LAIRD-TRAINED GELDING FIGHTS ON GAMELY TO CLAIM R6M BETWAY SUMMER CUP
PIRATES COME UNSTUCK
PREMIERSHIP: STELLENBOSCH PUT ABRUPT END TO BUCS' PERFECT START
Cut Bavuma some slack
Temba Bavuma has often been praised by coaches and teammates for his leadership abilities, but as a specialist batter the Proteas skipper must have been frustrated by his lengthy struggle to convert fifties into centuries.
Proteas keep growing as a unit
South Africa's batters are feeding well off each other as they start to find consistency at the highest level, according to Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, after they shone again in the dominant victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Durban which concluded on Saturday.
Wallabies far from finished product
Australia coach Joe Schmidt says his side are \"maybe\" not at the level yet to win the three Test series with the British & Irish Lions next year but they are ready to make it a \"contest\".
Proteas keep their heads up
With England having secured a 3-0 clean sweep in the T20 International series that concluded at the weekend, Proteas all-rounder Nondumiso Shangase says the national women's team are keeping their heads up as they prepare for a three-match ODI series against the tourists.
Bulls flex their muscles abroad
URC: DOWN CONNACHT AS SHARKS SINK THE STORMERS
Kane ruled out 'for the time being'
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (right) has been ruled out \"for the time being\", with a hamstring tear, the club announced yesterday.
'Crazy' win thrills Arteta
London - Mikel Arteta (above) said Arsenal's \"crazy\" 5-2 win at West Ham has catapulted his team back into the Premier League title race.
