As those affected by Hurricane Helene work to rebuild, misinformation spreads - Poynter.

At first sight, this picture can be heartbreaking: A three or four year-old child sits huddled close in an overloaded green boat clutching tightly onto an animal amid rainstorms and flood waters with her hair wet from tears; her face contorted by sorrow – you would be cruel not to share this heart-wrenching scene with everyone you can. Late last week, many social media users posted fake pictures with captions suggesting more aid be sent to Hurricane Helene victims than to Ukraine or Israel – with claims being that these photographs weren’t real. But, clearly enough, none were. Artificial Intelligence-generated imagery, false claims, and general misinformation being distributed as part of the aftermath of September’s devastating storm are rampantly prevalent. Maxine Joselow, Will Oremus, Gerrit De Vynck and Mark Berman from The Washington Post noted: “Misinformation is compounding chaos and confusion in many storm-battered communities — particularly rural ones without power or cell service where residents must rely solely on word of mouth for news,” writing: Misinformation can be especially harmful because much of it targets those who are struggling to recover. PolitiFact’s Madison Czopek fact-checked an unverifiable claim that FEMA is seizing emergency supplies and donations as “confiscating”, thus disallowing those who believe this from accessing help from FEMA. She pointed to false claims that FEMA is providing essential supplies through loans rather than payments of $750 each, with nonpayment leading to property seizures if unrepaid loans remain outstanding. Such misinformation, like an AI-generated little girl depicting Helene’s devastation being weaponized for political ends. PolitiFact’s Loreben Tuquero checked claims made by Kamala Harris regarding federal relief being limited to $750 per individual and CNN’s Daniel Dale fact-checks his lies about former President Donald Trump trying to create dissension regarding Biden administration response during Hurricane Irma. Paul Specht of PolitiFact North Carolina provides five misleading claims related to Helene relief efforts in that state, such as one falsehood alleging the federal government will seize property in Chimney Rock – all lies. “I can’t express in words how frustrated and outraged I have become every time I open Facebook or Instagram and see misinformation regarding Hurricane Helene and recovery efforts spread by individuals seeking to profit off other people’s distress at such a crucial juncture,” MediaWise director and Poynter faculty member Alex Mahadevan stated. “My friend lives in Western North Carolina. To witness how recovery efforts in his community are being hindered by people spreading falsehoods is disheartening; local, state and federal officials waste precious resources trying to address it – it makes my blood boil!” Local leaders after storms must warn visitors who visit affected areas just to observe damage; such “disaster tourism” often slows cleanup efforts down significantly while alienating residents who simply want to get on with life as soon as possible. My ignorance led me to assume such people were among humanity’s worst offenders; yet now, I realize otherwise. People who spread false or misleading information are far worse. By Ren LaForme, managing editor Episode two of “The Poynter Report Podcast” will debut today and can be heard here: As part of my conversation with Poynter President Neil Brown, we examined their recent OnPoynt report which examined journalism today. As I noted a couple weeks ago, today’s journalism world is besieged with talk of layoffs, buyouts, staff reductions, reorganizations efforts, news fatigue and mistrust/distrust of authorities; mistrust/trust among colleagues/staff is at an all time low and no trust. So while things might not all be roses and rainbows; nor should everything remain dour either. Brown believes there’s much reason for optimism, including some of the work happening in cities like Baltimore. Additionally, she mentioned many steps news outlets can take to remain relevant – and perhaps even thrive – over time. No matter where you fall on the media spectrum spectrum – be it an industry insider, consumer or both – I think our conversation will prove insightful for both parties involved – take a listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music (it is also available). Return and listen back to our inaugural episode with NPR TV critic and media analyst Eric Deggans! If you enjoyed what you heard, leave us a review; this helps a great deal and allows us to bring more captivating conversations about media business! Tom Jones, senior media writer and host of “The Poynter Report Podcast”, reports: People voting early at Frank McCourt High School on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Tuesday November 1st 2022 for midterm election early voting polling site early polling polling site at Upper West Side Frank McCourt High School located on Upper West Side Manhattan voted at an early polling location called Frank McCourt High School on Upper West Side Manhattan New York amidst security booths containing voting machines for early midterm voting polling site early voting poll site at Upper West Side Frank McCourt High School on Tuesday November 1st 2022 at an early voting polling place opened at Frank McCourt High School located on Upper West Side Manhattan Upper West side Frank McCourt High School early voting site located at Frank McCourt High School located on Upper West Side Manhattan Manhattan’s Upper West Side Manhattan early voting poll site on 1 November 2022 in New York. CNN announced Friday that several influential New York City journalists have come together to form the New York Editorial Board and report and endorse local politicians, according to an AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey report. After November elections are completed they plan on interviewing politicians before providing reports or endorsement. They will present their findings, with individual members making endorsements based on these interviews. Ben Smith, editor-in-chief and one of the group members for Semafor, explained to CNN that part of their initiative stems from The New York Times’s decision not to endorse candidates in local elections. At first, this decision caused considerable dismay among readers who depended on editorial boards’ endorsements as a valuable source. But the Times joined a growing trend among newspapers not to endorse political candidates anymore. Alden Global Capital stopped endorsing candidates in 2022 through their approximately 200 papers. “This initiative began as organic conversations among friends about ways to fill some of the void left by experienced journalistic editorial interviews that used to serve as tests of public officials”, Smith explained. Public-interest journalism provides an important counterweight against the interest groups and transactions which dominate politics in America’s greatest city.” By Angela Fu, media business reporter Here are two leftover pieces about media business transformation from last week; specifically on the challenges associated with producing serious journalism that resonates with an audience. There may not be quick solutions; nonetheless it offers food for thought. Rasmus Kleis Nielsen may no longer direct the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, but his efforts in tracking global trends continue. Last month in Berlin he summarized them through a speech. Trust and news avoidance remain key components of society; however, news providers risk misleading themselves by continuing to offer traditional journalism that’s been altered or tailored more for younger demographics or political partisanship. Nielsen noted the Reuters Institute work reveals an insight: that more of us want the content journalism provides but don’t feel it justifies engaging with it in meaningful ways. “Publishers face more fundamental difficulties convincing readers to pay for news.” Too often, Nielsen says, providers unwittingly fall back into “rearguard action,” effectively writing news for white men alone. That approach won’t solve anything; Nielsen does not have a solution either. But I find his question particularly noteworthy as an editor should keep his or her coverage mix under review, while reporters and visual journalists must ask themselves this question every time they develop stories. Nieman Lab media business analyst Sophie Culpepper published an in-depth investigation of Wichita Beacon, an early stage startup newsroom which has experienced rapid turnover due to funding restrictions. Long like other Nieman pieces, Culpepper’s tale serves the dual function of airing out the opinions of reporters and editors who have left. According to her count, all three original reporters plus editor left within less than 12 months from summer 2021 launch; at least four have left since then). These departures appeared to indicate confusion about their mission and an overwhelming workload; there was also the impression that too many decisions for news coverage came from 200 miles away in Kansas City, rather than being made locally at Beacon. Culpepper came to this conclusion: Even with sufficient startup funding ($4 million) and dedication to local news coverage, reporters need to embrace this exciting challenge of creating something completely different and new. By Rick Edmonds, media business analyst The New York Times conducted perhaps the most exhaustive examination yet of Donald Trump and how his age affects his candidacy; they conducted computer analysis of his speeches which now last an average of 82 minutes compared with 45 minutes when they began in 2016. Percentages aside, his use of all-or-nothing terms such as ‘always’ and ‘never’ increased by 13% compared to eight years prior; some experts consider this an indicator of growing age. Similar to his use of negative words compared to positive words in 2016, which may signal cognitive change, and swearword usage increased 69% since when he first ran, which experts call disinhibition. Semafor’s Max Tani discusses an expanding news platform in “Substack Wants More than Newsletters.” Since launching seven years ago, the newsletter platform Substack has cemented its position at the heart of independent journalism. Now, Facebook wants to position itself as something else: an all-inclusive hub for paying creators beyond text-only media such as news cycles. Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on “Call Her Daddy” podcast over the weekend to criticize President Donald Trump for characterizing himself as the protector of women, as well as respond to attacks made against her family by Republican Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and respond to attacks made against their family from Republican Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. For more on this subject visit The Washington Post where Cleve R. Wootson Jr has more. Bloomberg News’ Alicia Diaz and Akayla Gardner write that Harris, Walz Kick Off Week-Long Media Blitz with ‘Call Her Daddy.’ Susan Mulcahy and Frank DiGiacomo of the Hollywood Reporter outline “How Page Six Became the Most Feared Gossip Column in the World.” If you have feedback or tips please email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones directly at [email protected], otherwise sign up here for The Poynter Report which will come directly into your inbox Monday-Friday!