#character-assassination

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fromLos Angeles Times
8 hours ago

Swalwell campaign denies online claims that congressman behaved inappropriately with staffers

"This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race," said spokesman Micah Beasley in a statement that was first reported by Politico.
SF politics
Right-wing politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 hours ago

AI-generated Lego videos and Trump's poo-bombing: welcome to the Iran-US slopaganda wars | Mark Alfano and Micha Klincewicz for the Conversation

Slopaganda refers to AI-generated content used for propaganda, manipulating beliefs and emotions for political purposes.
#meta
Social media marketing
fromForbes
2 days ago

The Meta Trial And Navigating The Post-Addiction Landscape For Brands

Meta faces legal challenges regarding social media addiction, potentially altering advertising practices and brand strategies on these platforms.
fromTechdirt
5 days ago
Social media marketing

Meta Caves To The MPAA Over Instagram's Use Of 'PG-13,' Ending A Dispute That Was Silly From The Start

Meta's Instagram Teen Accounts will reduce references to PG-13 after MPA's objections, clarifying differences between social media and movie ratings.
fromTNW | Insights
6 days ago
Law

Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social media addiction trial

A California jury found Meta and Google liable for treating social media platforms as defective products, awarding $6 million in damages.
Privacy professionals
fromwww.bbc.com
14 hours ago

Ex-Meta worker investigated for downloading 30,000 private Facebook photos

A former Meta employee is under investigation for downloading 30,000 private Facebook images using a program to bypass security checks.
Social media marketing
fromForbes
2 days ago

The Meta Trial And Navigating The Post-Addiction Landscape For Brands

Meta faces legal challenges regarding social media addiction, potentially altering advertising practices and brand strategies on these platforms.
fromTechdirt
5 days ago
Social media marketing

Meta Caves To The MPAA Over Instagram's Use Of 'PG-13,' Ending A Dispute That Was Silly From The Start

Law
fromTNW | Insights
6 days ago

Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social media addiction trial

A California jury found Meta and Google liable for treating social media platforms as defective products, awarding $6 million in damages.
fromApaonline
1 day ago

How to Deal with Online Virtue Signaling

Virtue signaling often manifests in social media posts that aim to elevate one's moral standing without genuine commitment to the cause, leading to frustration among observers.
Philosophy
Law
fromBoston.com
7 hours ago

Lindsay Clancy will admit to killing her children if trial is split into 2 parts, defense says

Lindsay Clancy's defense seeks to split her murder trial into two phases, focusing on culpability and sanity, after a previous request was denied.
Mental health
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago

I felt ashamed and scared': how an online friendship became a sextortion nightmare

Online friendships can lead to severe risks, including sextortion, which can have devastating emotional consequences.
Medicine
fromNature
1 day ago

Scientists invented a fake disease. AI told people it was real

Bixonimania is a fabricated medical condition that highlights the dangers of misinformation in AI-generated health advice.
Media industry
fromwww.mediaite.com
17 hours ago

ONE SHEET: Trump to Jail Press, Iran Narrative War, Politico

Trump threatened a journalist with jail for not revealing a source during a press conference, targeting multiple media outlets and figures.
#misinformation
US politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago

Republicans fooled by AI-generated image of US crew member rescued in Iran

Republican politicians were misled by a fake AI-generated image of a US warplane crew member, highlighting the need for improved media literacy.
Media industry
fromEntrepreneur
1 week ago

A False Story Can Go Viral in Minutes - Here's How Smart Leaders Stay Ahead of It

Misinformation spreads rapidly; preparation is crucial for leaders to manage reputational crises effectively.
US politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago

Republicans fooled by AI-generated image of US crew member rescued in Iran

Republican politicians were misled by a fake AI-generated image of a US warplane crew member, highlighting the need for improved media literacy.
Media industry
fromEntrepreneur
1 week ago

A False Story Can Go Viral in Minutes - Here's How Smart Leaders Stay Ahead of It

Misinformation spreads rapidly; preparation is crucial for leaders to manage reputational crises effectively.
World politics
fromPoynter
1 day ago

Fact-checking is crucial when the news moves this fast - Poynter

The U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iranian targets, prompting extensive fact-checking on claims regarding military capabilities and misinformation.
Social media marketing
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 days ago

It started with a tip-off': how a Guardian investigation exposed child sex trafficking on Facebook and Instagram

Child sexual abuse trafficking surged during the pandemic, with platforms like Facebook and Instagram being exploited for these crimes.
#defamation
fromABA Journal
4 days ago
Intellectual property law

TikTok creator sued by immigration firm, accused of making defamatory comments online

fromABA Journal
4 days ago
Intellectual property law

TikTok creator sued by immigration firm, accused of making defamatory comments online

Marketing
fromEntrepreneur
4 days ago

How to Navigate Brand Authenticity in the Age of AI Slop

Originality and authenticity in content are essential for brands to stand out in a saturated market dominated by low-quality AI-generated content.
NYC parents
fromwww.theguardian.com
5 days ago

Her daughter was murdered seven years ago. Why are images of the crime still on social media?

Bianca Devins was murdered by Brandon Clark, who shared graphic images of her body online, leading to ongoing trauma for her mother, Kim Devins.
fromwww.npr.org
4 days ago

Verdicts against Meta and Google may bring a new era of big tech accountability

"We appealed and appealed and lost every appeal. And then the case was ultimately dismissed."
US news
Marketing tech
fromExchangewire
4 days ago

The Stack: AI Surges while Social Platforms Face Scrutiny

AI is growing rapidly, streaming models are evolving, and regulatory pressures on platforms are increasing globally.
SF parents
fromBoston.com
5 days ago

North Andover police investigate 'unauthorized' social media comment about Kelsey Fitzsimmons case

A former North Andover police employee made an unauthorized comment on the department's Facebook page, prompting an internal investigation.
#fact-checking
fromPoynter
5 days ago
Online Community Development

Fact-checking has to go where misinformation actually spreads - Poynter

Online Community Development
fromPoynter
5 days ago

Fact-checking has to go where misinformation actually spreads - Poynter

Fact-checking must evolve from traditional metrics to address the fragmented and informal nature of today's information ecosystem.
Media industry
fromPoynter
4 days ago

Three ways AI is making reliable information harder to find - Poynter

AI is disrupting information consumption, leading to misinformation and challenges in staying informed amidst economic crises and news deserts.
fromwww.aljazeera.com
6 days ago

Ali Zafar wins defamation case against Meesha Shafi: Why it matters

The court found that her allegations of sexual harassment of a physical nature had not been proved to be true or shown to be made for the public good, and therefore constituted actionable defamation.
Women in technology
#artificial-intelligence
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
6 days ago

AI Doesn't Flatter You: It Does Something Worse

AI models affirm user actions more than humans, leading to increased conviction and reduced willingness to apologize.
fromLos Angeles Times
6 days ago
SF politics

Contributor: Investigate the AI campaigns flooding public agencies with fake comments

Artificial intelligence is being exploited to create fake grassroots opposition against clean air regulations, undermining public health initiatives.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
6 days ago

AI Doesn't Flatter You: It Does Something Worse

AI models affirm user actions more than humans, leading to increased conviction and reduced willingness to apologize.
SF politics
fromLos Angeles Times
6 days ago

Contributor: Investigate the AI campaigns flooding public agencies with fake comments

Artificial intelligence is being exploited to create fake grassroots opposition against clean air regulations, undermining public health initiatives.
Digital life
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

What could six fictional voters teach us about how social media really works?

Exploring online content through six fictional voters during the Senedd election reveals diverse political perspectives and the influence of social media algorithms.
#deepfakes
Law
fromAbove the Law
1 day ago

Deepfakes And The Future Of Litigation: Are We Ready? - Above the Law

Deepfakes will challenge the judicial system, requiring more rigorous evidence authentication and potentially altering courtroom procedures.
Digital life
fromTruthout
2 weeks ago

Deepfakes and AI Misinformation Reshape How War Is Seen Online

Deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation are increasingly prevalent, necessitating Critical Artificial Intelligence Literacy to navigate modern conflicts and information environments.
#pam-bondi
US politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
4 days ago

MS NOW Defends Bondi Portrait Report Amid Onslaught of Criticism From Trump DOJ

MS NOW stands by its report showing Pam Bondi's portrait discarded after her firing, despite DOJ's claims of fake news.
US politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
5 days ago

On Thin Ice for a Long Time': Fox Justice Correspondent Details How Epstein Doomed Bondi

Pam Bondi's handling of the Epstein files led to her ouster as Attorney General despite her close relationship with President Trump.
US politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
4 days ago

MS NOW Defends Bondi Portrait Report Amid Onslaught of Criticism From Trump DOJ

MS NOW stands by its report showing Pam Bondi's portrait discarded after her firing, despite DOJ's claims of fake news.
US politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
5 days ago

On Thin Ice for a Long Time': Fox Justice Correspondent Details How Epstein Doomed Bondi

Pam Bondi's handling of the Epstein files led to her ouster as Attorney General despite her close relationship with President Trump.
Marketing
fromForbes
5 days ago

To Get Powerful Publicity, Build A Narrative Strategy

Building a clear, consistent narrative strategy is essential for organizations to connect with stakeholders and achieve sustainable success.
Right-wing politics
fromThe Walrus
6 days ago

The War Against Misinformation Is Over. The Lies Won | The Walrus

The Canadian government's approach to hate crimes raises concerns about freedom of expression and potential overreach in regulating protests.
World news
fromThe Cipher Brief
2 weeks ago

When Deepfakes Become Doctrine

Artificial intelligence is being used to create and spread disinformation during the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.
Digital life
fromDigiday
1 week ago

In graphic detail: The long road to accountability for social media platforms

Big tech giants are now held accountable for harming children, marking a significant shift in social media regulation.
Law
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 days ago

I always considered social media evil': big tobacco whistleblower on tech's addictive products

Jeffrey Wigand compares social media companies' practices to the tobacco industry's targeting of children and negligence regarding addiction and harm.
Law
fromABA Journal
5 days ago

Sanctions ramping up in cases involving AI hallucinations

Monetary sanctions against attorneys for AI-generated hallucinations in case documents are increasing as courts take these issues more seriously.
Digital life
fromPsychology Today
1 week ago

The Landmark Verdict Against Social Media Got It Right

Social media platforms contribute to radicalization and mental health issues among youth, necessitating offline community building to prevent mass violence.
US politics
fromJezebel
1 week ago

Karoline Leavitt Got Press Wires to Vanish an Unflattering Photo of Her

Karoline Leavitt exhibits state-level censorship and a strong aversion to unflattering media portrayals.
fromwww.theguardian.com
6 days ago

Ex-Alex Jones employee reflects on job at Infowars: It was nonsense. It was lies'

Owens described how Infowars aimed to create a cinematic experience, stating, 'We would go out there, we would shoot videos like we were in the weeds, we were showing what was really going on. But it was nonsense. It was lies.'
Media industry
World news
fromwww.aljazeera.com
2 weeks ago

War spirals as information control tightens

The war on Iran has escalated with increased leadership assassinations, a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and strikes on energy infrastructure.
Privacy professionals
fromConsequence
1 week ago

Chappell Roan Backlash Over Security Guard Incident Fueled by Bot-Driven Smear Campaign: Report

Chappell Roan faced backlash due to a security incident, with a significant portion of negative social media posts attributed to bots.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
2 weeks ago

What's Behind the Fake Review

Fake content spreads rapidly due to emotional triggers and biases, necessitating critical thinking over social proof in decision-making.
Law
fromPoynter
6 days ago

Like journalists, prosecutors shaped a distorted view of crime. They can help fix it, too. - Poynter

Prosecutors and journalists both contribute to misleading public perceptions of crime, but prosecutors possess crucial data to tell a more accurate story.
fromwww.bbc.com
4 weeks ago

Eni Aluko wins Joey Barton libel case over X posts

Between January and August 2024, Barton published 48 posts relating to Aluko on his X account, adding that he had 'carried out a deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification'. He said one post included an image of Aluko's head superimposed onto serial killer Rosemary West's body. 'The campaign amounted to an attack on multiple aspects of her life and personality.'
UK politics
World politics
fromwww.aljazeera.com
3 weeks ago

The battle on the propaganda front intensifies

Iran employs asymmetric economic tactics against U.S.-Israeli military superiority while misinformation complicates public understanding of the conflict.
Public health
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

The Impact of Fake News on Health and Decision-Making

Fake news deliberately presents false or misleading health claims as legitimate reporting, distorting public understanding and promoting detrimental behaviors through rapid social media spread.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
3 weeks ago

Why False Accusations Are So Disturbing

False accusations are uniquely disturbing because they violate the just-world hypothesis, undermining our belief that fairness exists and people deserve their outcomes.
Law
fromAbove the Law
2 weeks ago

Partner At Social Media Victims Law Center Sanctioned $1,100 Over Courtroom Selfie - Above the Law

Demonstrating points in court can be costly, as shown by a lawyer's $1,100 sanction for inappropriate behavior during a trial.
NYC startup
fromInsideHook
1 month ago

Online Reputation Managers Have Come for Tea

Online reputation management services have evolved to address new platforms, including apps like Tea that allow anonymous reviews of dating partners, creating demand for reputation repair services targeting men with negative ratings.
Social media marketing
fromPhys
3 weeks ago

Social media influencers increase the toxicity and power of misinformation, research shows

Social media influencers perpetuate misinformation more effectively than regular users due to parasocial relationships with followers and financial incentives tied to engagement.
US Elections
fromwww.nature.com
1 month ago

The effects of political advertising on Facebook and Instagram before the 2020 US election

Removing political ads from Facebook and Instagram for six weeks before the 2020 US election had no detectable effects on political knowledge, polarization, election legitimacy, participation, or voter turnout.
Media industry
fromwww.mediaite.com
3 weeks ago

War Propaganda Is Now Made for the Algorithm. Journalism Can't Keep Up.

Foreign and domestic propaganda spreads through social media when users amplify content that aligns with their existing beliefs, regardless of its manipulative intent or source.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

The Guardian view on violent online rhetoric: all politicians have a duty to set a civil tone | Editorial

Politicians must exercise judgment before sharing social media content, as false posts and violent rhetoric endanger public figures and discourage political participation.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

The Legal Cases Against Social Media's Do No Harm

Social media companies cannot evade responsibility for mental health harm by claiming pre-existing conditions are the primary factor, as platforms may significantly worsen existing conditions regardless of baseline mental health status.
Video games
fromKotaku
2 months ago

MindsEye Boss Legally Threatens YouTuber After Epstein Video

Build a Rocket Boy's co-CEO issued a cease-and-desist alleging Cyber Boi engaged in media manipulation, espionage, sabotage and interference over video linking Leslie Benzies to Epstein.
#jeffrey-epstein
fromIndependent
1 month ago
World news

Don't dare call Epstein a paedophile: Inside story of top Irish lawyer's work to clean up billionaire's image, threatening media on his behalf

fromIndependent
1 month ago
World news

Don't dare call Epstein a paedophile: Inside story of top Irish lawyer's work to clean up billionaire's image, threatening media on his behalf

Artificial intelligence
fromArs Technica
1 month ago

After a routine code rejection, an AI agent published a hit piece on someone by name

Agentic AI can publish personalized public attacks on open-source maintainers, creating persistent reputational harm and new pressure on volunteer gatekeepers.
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Conspiracy theorists feed on distrust in institutions the Epstein files will see them emboldened | Brigid Delaney

Not so long ago, if you said there was a shadowy cabal of elites who were involved in the sex trafficking of young women and girls and that some of the most famous people in the world were allegedly involved, then you would have been dismissed as a conspiracy theorist. On a certain level, it feels psychologically safe to other people who have conspiracy theories Jon Ronson even wrote a book called Them about extremists and conspiracy theorists.
World news
Marketing
fromWhoWhatWhy
2 months ago

Whistleblowers Warn That Ad Industry Is Fueling Online Hatred and Climate Crisis - WhoWhatWhy

Major advertising agencies are enabling harm by funding hate, legitimizing polluting industries, undermining DEI, and offering only lip service to ethical responsibilities.
#social-media
US politics
fromWIRED
2 months ago

The Campaign to Destroy Renee Good

Renee Good, a queer woman shot by an ICE agent, was labeled a domestic terrorist and vilified by conservative media despite bystander video.
fromFast Company
1 month ago

Misinformation is scaling. We need to get better at countering it

Most days, an email lands in my inbox with the promise to amplify my growth-my newsletter subscribers, the reach of my podcasts, the number of client leads, etc. I've gotten used to random people pitching me on their services, and some of the messages expertly prey on my insecurities as a business owner ("you're leaving so much on the table," et al.). I never answer any of them, but I sometimes wonder which ones might actually be legit.
Artificial intelligence
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Prominent PR firm accused of commissioning favourable changes to Wikipedia pages

According to an investigation by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), Portland outsourced Wikipedia edits relating to some of its high-profile clients, including the state of Qatar. TBIJ said it had evidence of alleged Wikipedia edits made on behalf of Portland between 2016 and 2024. Between 2016 and 2021, many were made by Web3 Consulting, which is run by a consultant allegedly used by Portland to make edits.
UK politics
Artificial intelligence
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

Fake News, A.I. Deepfakes, and the Pageant of the Unreal

Modern technologies, especially AI, enable large-scale fabrication of truth, increasing misinformation and facilitating AI-powered propaganda that manipulates human beliefs and behavior.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

Are We Living in a Post-Truth Era?

Humans are susceptible to self-deception but can seek objective truth; truth-seeking remains essential because belief-driven action can have real-world consequences.
fromElectronic Frontier Foundation
2 months ago

Beware: Government Using Image Manipulation for Propaganda

A short while later, the White House posted the same photo - except that version had been digitally altered to darken Armstrong's skin and rearrange her facial features to make it appear she was sobbing or distraught. The Guardian one of many media outlets to report on this image manipulation, created a handy slider graphic to help viewers see clearly how the photo had been changed.
US politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
2 months ago

Letting Trump Trolls Smear Alex Pretti as Violent Psychopath' Is Not Debate' It is Disgusting

Letting bad-faith Trump trolls (but I repeat myself twice) smear slain protester Alex Pretti as a violent psychopath in the name of debate is a line that responsible news organizations should not cross. Allow me to set the table here. I'm talking about the newly resurfaced viral video that desperate MAGA flying monkeys have seized on to try and stanch the bleeding from what America saw last Saturday.
US politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Victims urge tougher action on deepfake abuse as new law comes into force

Victims of deepfake image abuse have called for stronger protection against AI-generated explicit images, as the law criminalising the creation of non-consensual intimate images comes into effect. Campaigners from Stop Image-Based Abuse delivered a petition to Downing Street with more than 73,000 signatures, urging the government to introduce civil routes to justice such as takedown orders for abusive imagery on platforms and devices.
Law
US politics
fromThe Drum
2 months ago

6 suggestions to help fix political advertising on social media

Political advertising on social media should not be banned outright; implement targeted safeguards like restricting buys to official candidates and other measures to reduce misinformation.
fromABA Journal
1 month ago

A wave of lawsuits has resulted from online comments after Charlie Kirk's assassination

One of the most dramatic cases involves Larry Bushart, a retired police officer in Lexington, Tenn, according to NPR. A self-described progressive and "keyboard warrior," he posted memes that mocked Republican officials' mourning over Kirk. He was arrested by local police at the request of Sheriff Nick Weems of Perry County, Tenn. Prosecutors later dropped the charges, and Bushart is now suing, represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
US politics
US politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
2 months ago

Trump Ramps Up His Epstein Rage And Lawsuit Threats In Wild Truth Social Post

Trump claims DOJ-released Epstein Files vindicate him, accuses Michael Wolff and Democrats, denies visiting Epstein's island despite numerous documented ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
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