Whirlwind of misinformation sows distrust ahead of US election day

Whirlwind of misinformation sows distrust ahead of US election day

By Vijay Narayan
Monday 04/11/2024
Photo:BBC

Rumours, misleading allegations and outright lies about voting and fraud are flooding online spaces in unprecedented numbers in advance of the US election.

Hundreds of incidents involving purported voting irregularities are being collected and spread by individuals, as well as both independent and Republican-affiliated groups.

A small number of posts are also coming from Democrats.

The US government has also alleged that foreign actors, including Russia, are spreading fake videos to undermine confidence in the electoral process.

The whirlwind of misinformation spreading online poses a challenge to election officials who are having to debunk rumours and reassure voters, while preparing to administer election day on Wednesday.

Many posts alleging election irregularities support the Trump campaign’s false claim that the former president won the 2020 election and suggestions that he will potentially be cheated out of victory again on Wednesday.

When asked whether he will accept the 2024 election result, Donald Trump said during the presidential debate in September that he would if it was a "fair and legal and good election".

A majority of Americans - 70% - expect him to reject the result if he loses, according to a CNN/SSRS poll released Monday.

Just this week, Trump himself claimed widespread fraud in a key swing state.

The allegation followed officials in three Pennsylvania counties saying they were working with local law enforcement to investigate some voter registration applications for potential fraud.

While Trump and allies seized on the announcements, the state's top election official, Republican Al Schmidt, has urged caution and warned voters to be aware of "half-truths" and disinformation circulating on social media.

The BBC has seen hundreds of allegations of election fraud online, on social networks and on message boards and in chat groups.

Some of these posts have been viewed millions of times each.

The posts have implied it's easy for non-citizens to vote, made false claims about voting machines and sowed distrust in the ballot-counting process.

One video claimed to show recently-arrived Haitians voting in Georgia.

The BBC has found clear indications, including false addresses and stock photos, which indicate the video is a fake.

On Friday US security officials said it was made by "Russian influence actors".

Source : BBC

FEATURE NEWS
Two alleged drunk men dead after they were hit by a bus while fighting on the road in Naitasiri
Two men aged 21 and 45 years are dead after they were hit by a bus while fighting on the road in Waitolu, Naitasiri. Director of Traffic, Senior Su...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
Govt should tackle the supply and demand chain to tackle drugs in Fiji - Naupoto
The aspect of tackling the drug problem is a deterrent, as studies have shown that it is not the severity of punishment that deters criminal ...
9 minutes ago

No detention centre in Fiji, Immigration Ministry must really look into – PM
A shocking revelation has been made by Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration Sitiveni Rabuka, as the number of illegal immigrants into Fiji has ...
33 minutes ago

Housing crisis: 200,000 Fijians face overcrowding and poor living conditions
Approximately 200,000 Fijians, roughly 50 percent of the population live in informal settlements and are facing overcrowding and poor living ...
47 minutes ago

Lautoka launches new recycling hub to combat ocean plastic pollution
The people of Lautoka today celebrated the opening of a new recycling hub, a significant milestone in the effort to combat ocean plastic ...
57 minutes ago

Fijians can now make easier, cheaper and faster payments with new real-time tax system
Taxpayers in Fiji can now enjoy faster, more efficient tax payments with the launch of a real-time e-payment system through a partnership between the ...
1 hour ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Dubai 7s 2024
The Fiji Airways Men's National 7s team ended a 9-year drought by winning the HSBC Dubai 7s title, defeating Spain 19-5 in the final. This marks ...
6 hours ago

Walesi Government Digitalization program
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Manoa Kamikamica says it is clear the FijiFirst Government wanted to also control the ...
2 days ago

Prof. Biman Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad will appear on fijivillage Straight With Vijay Narayan.The show focused on the ...
4 days ago

TOP