#especially with them expanding his capture from two nights to a week

[pynkhues]

kJFADKLFJADKL;FAK;DSFKASDKJ;AS;JKDFJA;FJKADJKA;KSDFJADJFKASJK;FA;SFDJKASJDKFASJKDFJKASDKJFAKJDFAJKDFJKASDJKFAKDFJKA;SDFJKA

THOSE ALL SOUND AMAZING THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU ARE A FOUNTAIN OF BENEFICENCE

LOUIS PHOTOGRPAHING LESTAT how has there not been more fic about this?????? I mean you said Louis directing Lestat's photographer lol so maybe he won't do it himself, but just any fic with them involving Lestat being photographed with Louis in charge, yes please.

REUNION FIC FROM YOU truly the gods are good

I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOUR 1.6 FIC!!!!!!!!!!!! maybe this would be getting into too much detail about the fics in advance, but the thing about at least one of the fics being in the same universe as the other two fics made me think of something I've wondered related to that scene in 1.6--the scene is obviously very consensual sex that Lestat is thrilled to have, so there's no comparison between Louis and Magnus OBVIOUSLY, but I have wondered if the rough sex combined with other physical injures would make Lestat think about Magnus during that at all...I could see it either way, that maybe it would, or that his feelings about it are so so different that it wouldn't (and maybe it occurred to me more because he talked about Magnus AFTER that scene). And if he did think about Magnus at all, would Louis pick up on anything? He wouldn't have any context for it at that point. ANYWAY, whether or not there's any shades of that other stuff in it, a 1.6 fic from you is going to blow my mind with hotness--that whole scene was so brilliantly done and begs for more fic to flesh it out--so I am extremely excited.

(x)

Bahaha, thank you, anon!! The cat's lowkey out of the bag with the photography one now, because an anon did send me a prompt that sort of formed the basis for it (but hopefully they see this and know that I'm working on something too, haha).

The reunion fic is one I'm really, really loving writing now that I've found my own way into it. It kind of feels like it's own beast in so many ways, which I've really enjoyed. I've read so many great reunion fics and didn't want to write something until I felt I had something fresh to give this little fandom space, and this story has just opened up to me in unexpected ways and been a bit of a gift creatively. It's pretty different from what other people have done, so I'm sure some people might not like it, but hopefully it resonates with others.

The structure of it has let me weave basically a bunch of Rue Royale-era fresh memories/mini-fics, practically, into it too, which has made me very happy to write, haha.

And yes, the Magnus question is a really interesting one for 1.06 - I've answered something before that I now can't find, but it is really interesting that the show chose to position Lestat disclosing the cliffnotes of his turning after (very consensual, as you said! but also) clearly rough sex + feeding. Like you said too, Louis has no context at all prior to Lestat's partial disclosure (and one Louis has obviously read into what Lestat both did and didn't say given Claudia and Daniel's reaction, and Louis' own behaviour in Magnus' tower). I tend to view the show linking those scenes as Louis seeing enough mmmm, physical and emotional give, I guess, in Lestat to allow him to come home again after his abhorrent act of violence against Louis, but I also think it's partially this performance of compromise.

Like, gosh, the dynamics at play are even a part of why there's room for Claudia to cast doubts on Lestat's honesty, right? But yes, sorry, more to your point, I don't know! The victim-survivor experience is not a uniform one, and how memories surface is anyone's guess. With my writer hat on, I tend to think the dynamics play out so differently, not just with Lestat and Louis' mutual love for one another, but Louis being a character of such warmth and heat, affection and lust, that it would hopefully be enough of a separation to Magnus that Lestat could ground himself. But yeah - - who knows at this point. I've said it before, but in the books, Lestat's a character who just like - - doesn't deal with enormous trauma, which is a part of why Claudia rightfully haunts his ass, so I'm really curious to see what the show does with that.

[higherlearningtvshow]

Early Voting in all 50 Wards of Chicago begins Today, October 21 at 9:00am.

Courtesy of

La Shawn K. Ford, IL State Representative 

False Election Narratives

Breaking Down Definitions and

The ABC 7 News Reports

October 2, 2024

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Early voting is expanding across the Chicago area just two weeks away from Election Day.

Starting Monday, Chicago residents can now go to any early voting site in the city across all 50 wards to cast their ballot.Click Here to Read More

Early voting expands in Illinois

Click Image Below to Find Early Voting Locations and Times

in Chicago

Misinformation in Elections

In the context of elections, understanding misinformation is crucial for ensuring informed voter participation. This segment will explore the definitions of key terms, such as misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, highlighting their distinct characteristics and implications. We will delve into the mechanisms through which misinformation spreads, including the influence of social media algorithms, the creation of echo chambers, and the role of traditional media outlets. By unpacking these concepts, voters will be better equipped to recognize the challenges posed by misinformation and its potential impact on the electoral process.

Misinformation, the media, and the role you're playing in both

The American Psychological Association Reports

Misinformation and disinformation

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information—getting the facts wrong. Disinformation is false information which is deliberately intended to mislead—intentionally misstating the facts.

The spread of misinformation and disinformation has affected our ability to improve public health, address climate change, maintain a stable democracy, and more. By providing valuable insight into how and why we are likely to believe misinformation and disinformation, psychological science can inform how we protect ourselves against its ill effects.Click Here to Read More

Brennan Center for Justice Reports

Election deniers are working to undermine confidence in our elections and suppress turnout, particularly among voters of color and other historically marginalized communities. The misinformation they propagate — including lies about the voting process and election workers — can have significant consequences for people’s ability to vote and trust in our elections. 

These threats are especially perilous today. Since 2020, prominent politicians and candidates for election administration positions have amplified the Big Lie of a “stolen” presidential election. These falsehoods spread rapidly on social media, with platforms unwilling or unable to intervene, fueling threats to election systems.Click Here to Read More

The Brennan Center Reports

February 20, 2024

Multiple Threats Converge to Heighten Disinformation Risks to 2024 Elections

In early December 2020, Ruby Freeman received an email: “We are coming for you and your family. Ms. Ruby, the safest place for you right now is in prison. Or you will swing from trees.”

Freeman had been a temporary poll worker in Fulton County, Georgia, in the 2020 election. Her daughter, Shaye Moss, was with her at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, counting ballots as a county employee on the night of the election. Footage of the pair engaging in routine vote-counting procedures went viral after Rudy Giuliani and his legal team began to falsely claim it showed them conducting election fraud. As the lies about what happened that night in Atlanta spread on social media, Freeman and Moss were thrown into a firestorm. Racist, violent language arrived via letters, texts, phone calls, emails, social media messages, and even in person at each of their front doors.Click Here to Read More

Media and Democracy: Finding Facts in the Mess of Misinformation | Lisa Remillard | TEDxBillings

Understanding Misinformation

Social media algorithms play a crucial role in amplifying false narratives by prioritizing sensational content that captures user engagement. These algorithms often lead to the creation of echo chambers, where users are exposed predominantly to viewpoints that align with their own beliefs, reinforcing misinformation. Additionally, traditional media outlets contribute to this issue by occasionally spreading unverified information or sensationalized stories, further blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Together, these mechanisms foster an environment where misinformation can thrive and influence public perception.

Northeastern Library Reports

October 2, 2024

Fake News/Misinformation/Disinformation: What is Fake News?

The term "fake news" has been used increasingly in the last several years, but does not always refer to the same thing. Because false information can come in many shapes and forms, the term "fake news" can conjure up very different thoughts depending on the person using/hearing it and their own personal experiences. For the purposes of this guide we can define "fake news" as “purposefully crafted, sensational, emotionally charged, misleading or totally fabricated information that mimics the form of mainstream news” (Zimdars & McLeod, 2020). Click Here to Read More

The American Psychological Association Reports

November 29, 2023

How and Why Does Misinformation Spread?

According to behavioral models, exposure to misinformation increases the odds that people will believe it, which in turn increases the odds that they will spread it. At the same time, people do not necessarily need to believe misinformation in order to spread it; people may share information they know is false to signal their political affiliation, disparage perceived opponents, or accrue social rewards. Psychological factors contribute significantly to this process: People are more likely to share misinformation when it aligns with personal identity or social norms, when it is novel, and when it elicits

strong emotions.Click Here to Read More

University of Victoria Reports

May 31, 2024

Advancing technology and growth in social media use contribute to the spread of fake news. In fact, research shows that false news often spreads faster than real news online. Regular users of social media are to blame for a lot of this spread, as they like, share, and otherwise engage with posts containing misinformation. See below for more on why we fall for fake news.

Online fake news can also be spread through bots. Ferrara et al.’s (2016) look at social bots describes a bot as “a computer algorithm that automatically produces content and interacts with humans on social media, trying to emulate and possibly alter their behavior.”Click Here to Read More

Media Literacy: What is misinformation

The Public Interests Research

Groups Reports

November 22, 2023

How misinformation on social media has

changed news

When a tourist submersible lost contact during a dive to view the wreckage of the Titanic last month, the international rescue operation caught the attention of millions around the world. The rescue failed, and on June 25th, a video on TikTok broadcasted the screams of the passengers in their final moments. In just 10 days, the video had 4.9 million viewers who heard the five

victims’ last cries.Click Here to Read More

Key Examples of Misinformation in Elections

This section delves into notable instances of misinformation in elections, providing a comprehensive analysis of its impact and consequences. By exploring significant examples, the discussion highlights the implications of such misinformation for democracy and electoral integrity. Key cases will be examined to draw lessons learned and best practices for future elections, while also investigating the role of media and technology in shaping public perception. Through this examination, the section aims to illuminate the critical need for vigilance and informed engagement in the electoral process.

The Power of Deception

The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election was significantly impacted by various misinformation campaigns that influenced public opinion and voter behavior. False narratives, such as misleading claims about candidate endorsements and fabricated stories about criminal records, proliferated across social media platforms, creating confusion and mistrust among voters. Additionally, Russian interference efforts, which utilized bots and targeted advertisements, exacerbated political divisions and spread misleading information. These tactics not only shaped public perception but also raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, ultimately playing a crucial role in the election's outcome.

How fake news impacted the 2016 election

The American Economic Association Reports

American democracy has been repeatedly buffeted by changes in media technology. In the 19th century, cheap newsprint and improved presses allowed partisan newspapers to expand their reach dramatically. Many have argued that the effectiveness of the press as a check on power was significantly compromised as a result (for example, Kaplan 2002). In the 20th century, as radio and then television became dominant, observers worried that these new platforms would reduce substantive policy debates to sound bites, privilege charismatic or “telegenic” candidates over those who might have more ability to lead but are less polished, and concentrate power in the hands of a few large corporations (Lang and Lang 2002; Bagdikian 1983).

In the early 2000s, the growth of online news prompted a new set of concerns, among them that excess diversity of viewpoints would make it easier for like-minded citizens to form “echo chambers” or “filter bubbles” where they would be insulated from contrary perspectives (Sunstein 2001a, b, 2007; Pariser 2011). Most recently, the focus of concern has shifted to social media. Social media platforms such as Facebook have a dramatically different structure than previous media technologies. Content can be relayed among users with no significant third party filtering, fact-checking, or editorial judgment. An individual user with no track record or reputation can in some cases reach as many readers as Fox News, CNN, or the New York Times. Click Here to Read More

Louisiana State University Reports

March 3, 2022

How Fake News Affected the 2016 Presidential Election

Of the known fake news stories that appeared in the three months before the election, those favoring Trump were shared a total of 30 million times on Facebook, while those favoring Clinton were shared 8 million times.

Just over half of average American adults who recall seeing fake news say they believed the stories

People are much more likely to believe stories that favor their preferred candidate, especially if they are ideologically segregated within social media networks

Social media was an important but not a dominant source of election news-- only 14% of Americans said social media was their “most important source”

In a 2015 Stanford University study of fake news articles and “civic online reasoning,” researchers found that over 30 percent of high school students said a fake Facebook account posting comments about then-candidate Trump were more reliable because of its graphic elements.

Only 25 percent recognized the significance of the blue checkmark on Twitter and Facebook that indicates an account is legitimate. More than 80 percent of the respondents were not able to recognize that an ad was sponsored content, or native advertising, and not a news story.

Native advertising is a type of advertising that matches the form and function of the platform on which it appears.

Click Here to Read More

Pew Research Center Reports

December 15, 2016

Many Americans Believe Fake News Is

Sowing Confusion

According to a new survey by Pew Research Center, most Americans suspect that made-up news is having an impact. About two-in-three U.S. adults (64%) say fabricated news stories cause a great deal of confusion about the basic facts of current issues and events. This sense is shared widely across incomes, education levels, partisan affiliations and most other demographic characteristics. These results come from a survey of 1,002 U.S. adults conducted from Dec. 1 to 4, 2016Click Here to Read More

NBC News Reports

November 7, 2016

'Fake news' went viral in 2016. This expert studied who clicked

It’s one of the defining phrases to emerge the 2016 election. But before “fake news” became President Donald Trump’s favorite media-bashing epithet, the term referred to fake political news spread by dubious partisan sites for profit.

In the months leading up to the presidential election, news sites and Facebook pages attracted attention for producing wholly fictitious articles like “Pope Francis Shocks World, Endorses Donald Trump For President” that preyed on readers’ biases. In Macedonia, enterprising teenagers built a cottage industry of fake news sites that concocted phony scoops about President Obama and Hillary Clinton and then collected the ad revenue when they went viral among Trump supporters.Click Here to Read More

Fake news' impact on politics

Fake news wasn’t the biggest media

problem of 2016

The Hidden Dangers

Misinformation in elections poses serious threats to democratic processes by eroding voter trust and influencing election outcomes. False claims and misleading narratives spread through social media and other platforms create confusion, leading many voters to question the integrity of electoral systems. This undermines confidence in democratic institutions and can result in lower voter turnout. Additionally, misinformation can shape voter behavior, sway undecided voters, and even suppress participation, ultimately distorting election results and undermining fair representation in democracy.

You're being manipulated and don't even know it | Nate Pressner

The Brookings Institution Reports

Misinformation is eroding the public’s confidence in democracy

Democracy in the United States is in serious trouble. A review of some recent public opinion research shows just how much.

For example, an NPR survey conducted earlier this year found that 64% of the American population believes that U.S. democracy is in crisis and is at risk of failing. A strong indication that the situation is getting worse and not better is that over 70% of respondents in that poll said that democracy is more at risk of failure now than it was a year ago.Click Here to Read More

Harvard Kennedy School Reports

June 2, 2020

Misinformation in action: Fake news exposure is linked to lower trust in media, higher trust in government when your side is in power

We collected data from U.S. respondents (N=3000) who participated in two survey waves conducted a month apart from each other. The surveys were sent out in late October and late November of 2018, shortly before and shortly after the U.S. midterm elections.

Participants were also asked to install a browser extension tracking their online behavior during the time period between the surveys. About 8% (N=227) of the respondents agreed.

The browsing history of participating respondents was used to evaluate their exposure to fake news sources and assess whether consuming misinformation was linked to changes in trust. 

We found that fake news exposure was associated with a decline in mainstream media trust among respondents.  

Our results also showed that fake news exposure was associated with an overall increase in political trust, and especially trust in congress and the justice system. 

Upon examining that relationship more closely, we found that fake news consumption was linked to lower political trust, but only for strong liberals. For moderates and conservatives, fake news consumption predicted higher trust in political institutions. 

Our findings confirm that the consequences of fake news cannot be examined in isolation. To effectively anticipate the implications of misinformation spread, research needs to consider the current media and political environment.

Click Here to Read More

The Oxford Academic Reports

July 22, 2024

Electoral misinformation, where citizens believe false or misleading claims about the electoral process and electoral institutions—sometimes actively and strategically spread by political actors—is a challenge to public confidence in elections specifically and democracy more broadly. In this article, we analyze a combination of 42 million clicks in links and apps from behavioral tracking data of 2,200 internet users and a four-wave panel survey to investigate how different kinds of online news and media use relate to beliefs in electoral misinformation during a contentious political period—the 2022 Brazilian presidential elections. We find that, controlling for other factors, using news from legacy news media is associated with belief in fewer claims of electoral misinformation over time. We find null or inconsistent effects for using digital-born news media and various digital platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp. Furthermore, we find that trust in news plays a significant role as a moderator. Belief in electoral misinformation, in turn, undermines trust in news. Overall, our findings document the important role of the news media as an institution in curbing electoral misinformation, even as they also underline the precarity of trust in news during contentious political periods.

Click Here to Read More

University of Central Florida Reports

October 26, 2020

The term “fake news” has become so ubiquitous in our society that it’s even become a punchline. But the threat is very real — with real consequences — which is why UCF Associate Lecturer of Psychology Chrysalis Wright dedicates her days to studying it.

Wright is an expert on fake news and online disinformation who serves as the founding director of UCF’s Media and Migration Lab, which identifies and develops methods for fighting fake news. She was recently appointed to the board of directors for the United Nation’s Communications Coordination Committee, which aims to improve communications across cultures globally.Click Here to Read More

New America Reports

March 2, 2024

The Problem of Misinformation in a Democracy

Misinformation—defined here as deliberately shared wrong information (e.g., fake news), which is distinct from simple misperceptions (e.g., genuine mistakes)—poses a number of dangers to a democratic society. Democracy thrives on the active and honest participation of citizens and misinformation threatens its success by obfuscating or discouraging the best course of action for voters and distorting perceptions of political opponents.Click Here to Read More

Empowering Voters

Think Before You Click: How to fact check articles you find online

The University of California Reports

Real News/Fake News: Fact Checkers

Politifact

Pulitzer Prize winning site run by editors and reporters from the Tampa Bay Times (Florida) newspaper. "PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics.... The PolitiFact state sites are run by news organizations that have partnered with the Times." Read about their principles under 'About Us.'

FactCheck.org

"FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania....a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases."Click Here to Read More

League of Women Voters Reports

Reliable Sources for Fact Checking

Media Bias Fact Check (MBFC) is a fact-checking page, which relies strictly on signatories of the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) when evaluating the political/factual bias of 3,100+ media sources (left, center-left, least biased, center-right, right, pro-science, conspiracy and pseudo-science, questionable sources, and satire). It includes the methodology used to classify each source. Sources rated very high or high on factual reporting have proper sourcing and a clean fact check record. Here's their 2024 Least Biased List of the best fact-checking websites, including all the ones below.

AP Fact Check Daily Mining Gazette has been printing. Associated Press is currently at the border of least-biased and left-biased but very high on factual accuracy. IFCN Signatory.

OpenSecrets.Org is the Center for Responsive Politics' nonpartisan guide to money's influence on U.S. elections and public policy. MBFC rates it as dead-center least biased and very high on factual reporting, noting that it is a source for fact checkers.

Lead Stories tracks story trends and debunk fake news before it becomes viral. They are often the first to debunk outrageous claims with "hoax alerts." Their clever tag line is "Just Because It's Trending Doesn't Mean It's True—Fact checking at the speed of likes since 2015." MBFC rates it as dead-center least biased and very high on factual reporting. IFCN signatory.Click Here to Read More

The University of Central Oklahoma Reports

October 2, 2024

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Five products in the National Cyber Awareness System offer a variety of information for users with varied technical expertise. Those with more technical interest can read the Alerts, Analysis Reports, Current Activity, or Bulletins. Users looking for more general-interest pieces can read the Tips.

Snopes

Use Snopes for lots of factchecking: Fake News, social media stories, and rumors. Snopes’ fact-checking and original, investigative reporting lights the way to evidence-based and contextualized analysis.Click Here to Read More

Call to Action

Reporting misinformation is a critical step in combating its spread, especially during election season. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram offer tools that allow users to flag or report false or misleading content. By taking the time to report misinformation, individuals help ensure a more accurate flow of information, protecting the integrity of discussions and decision-making processes. This proactive approach empowers communities to hold platforms accountable and reduce the impact of harmful or deceptive narratives.

Helping Students Identify Fake News with the Five C's of Critical Consuming

The World Health Organization Reports

October 2, 2024

How to report misinformation online

As the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we face the challenge of an overabundance of information related to the virus. Some of this information may be false and potentially harmful.

Inaccurate information spreads widely and at speed, making it more difficult for the public to identify verified facts and advice from trusted sources, such as their local health authority or WHO.

However, everyone can help to stop the spread. If you see content online that you believe to be false or misleading, you can report it to the hosting social media platform. Click Here to Read More

BBC News Reports

How to report fake news to social media

In our earlier guide to spotting fakes during the US election, we gave you some ground rules to help with identifying false or misleading reports.

Have I heard of the publisher before?

Is this the source I think it is, or does it sound a bit like them?

Can I point to where this happened on a map?

Has this been reported anywhere else?

Is there more than one piece of evidence for this claim?

Could this be something else?

Armed with these you can progress to reporting it to the authorities, in this case large multinational corporations from the USA.Click Here to Read More

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