Fighting disinformation: Can You Believe It?

Can You Believe It? is an initiative dedicated to uncovering how disinformation reaches consumers and providing tools to help our audience fight its spread. Are you seeing disinformation in your social media feeds? Share with us by emailing tell@mpr.org.

March 5, 2021 5:51 PM

Trump is no longer tweeting, but online disinformation isn't going away

While removing former President Donald Trump from social media has led to a significant decrease in election-related disinformation, online falsehoods about the election and vaccines continue to flourish.

by Miles Parks

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March 3, 2021 6:09 PM

'Exit counselors' strain to pull Americans out of a web of false conspiracies

With disinformation spreading on an unprecedented scale, experts in cult deprogramming are turning their focus to those who have fallen down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories.

by Tovia Smith

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March 2, 2021 4:00 AM

'Through the looking glass': Conspiracy theories spread faster and wider than ever

While false conspiracies aren't new, experts say their reach is spreading – accelerated by social media, encouraged by former President Donald Trump, and weaponized in a way that is unprecedented.

by Joel Rose

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February 22, 2021 10:05 AM

MyPillow and founder Mike Lindell face $1.3B suit from voting tech company

Seeking to clear its reputation of unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud Dominion Voting Systems has filed a $1.3 billion federal lawsuit against Minnesota entrepreneur Mike Lindell — as well as his bedding products company, MyPillow.

by Tim Nelson and Brakkton Booker

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February 19, 2021 3:53 PM

Trump repeats election claims in interviews, is unchallenged

Former President Donald Trump repeated false claims about election results 10 times during interviews this week on Fox News Channel, Newsmax and One America News Networks. The claims were unprompted but also unchallenged in each case.

by The Associated Press

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February 18, 2021 2:11 PM

No, the blackouts in Texas weren't caused by renewables. Here's what really happened

Some prominent Republicans have blamed wind and solar power for the blackouts in the storm-stricken state. But the truth is every source of generation fell short.

by Camila Domonoske

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February 17, 2021 8:44 AM

Texas blackouts fuel false claims about renewable energy

Conservative commentators on Tuesday shared a false narrative that wind turbines and solar energy were primarily to blame for power outages across Texas as the power grid buckled. But the Texas state power agency said that gas, coal and nuclear plants actually caused nearly twice as many outages as wind and solar power.

by The Associated Press

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February 4, 2021 7:30 PM

Election officials say combating lies will be big challenge

Top election officials across the country are looking ahead to future elections and grappling with how they can counter a wave of lies and misinformation, after a 2020 election season dominated by conspiracy theories and false claims about voting.

by The Associated Press

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February 1, 2021 5:27 PM

The growing threat of right-wing extremism

Emboldened by years of support from the president and encouraged by millions of Americans joining the disinformation whirlpool, far-right extremist groups are growing in number and in danger.

by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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January 30, 2021 7:54 PM

Combating misinformation when a loved one is caught in a web of conspiracies

The recent attack on the U.S. Capitol is a reminder of the potentially deadly impact of disinformation that is spreading online. Experts say there are several possible strategies for dealing with it.

by Sarah McCammon

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