Pseudo-Events, Spin, Misinformation, Moral Panics and Disinformation
How to handle some of the trickiest stories
Pseudo-Events
What is it? An event held solely for the purpose of generating publicity and being covered by the news media.
What are some examples? The Academy Awards, National Signing Day, the CES tech conference, the “grand opening” of a store.
How should you cover it? Use the access that you can get to top officials at the pseudo-event to ask probing questions for the story you want to write.
What’s a good example? When Andrew Jennings began investigating FIFA, he got thrown out of a press conference in order to attract tipsters.
Spin
What is it? A misleading but not necessarily untrue framing of a story by representatives of a politician, corporation or other public figure.
What are some examples? Some cable TV talk shows, some press conferences and earnings calls, “spin alley,” some public relations efforts.
How should you cover it? Always be aware of the facts that are being omitted from an account and beware of simple narratives.
What’s a good example? Knight Ridder reporters worked middle managers to uncover facts about the planned invasion of Iraq that were being ignored.
Misinformation
What is it? False or inaccurate information about a subject in the news that quickly spreads on social media.
What are some examples? Fake cures for autism or coronavirus, false claims about vaccines and face masks.
How should you cover it? Avoid repeating the false claims by using the “truth sandwich” approach that emphasizes facts.
What’s a good example? Reporter Brandy Zadrozny focused on the real-world consequences of a woman who fed her children a bleach-based cure.
Moral Panics
What is it? An urban legend focused on a threat, especially to children, that spreads quickly through word-of-mouth or social media.
What are some examples? Dungeons and Dragons, jelly bracelet sex codes, satanic panic, the knockout game, Pizzagate, the Momo challenge, souping.
How should you cover it? Avoid amplifying conspiracy theories. Press law enforcement or other officials to back up dubious-sounding claims.
What’s a good example? Tech reporter Kevin Roose tracked the rise of QAnon while being careful not to publicize its more outlandish claims.
Disinformation
What is it? False information spread through social media or other channels designed to undermine trust in government and other institutions.
What are some examples? Russian intelligence agencies working to undermine U.S. confidence in elections and vaccines.
How should you cover it? Avoid boosting anonymous voices on social media by retweeting or engaging with them.
What’s a good example? Ben Collins traced a coronavirus “cure” back to a telehealth site and online pharmacy seeking to make money.
