1,200 'Pink Slime' News Sites Spread Misinformation
Fake news operations backed by partisan groups have surged to 1,200 sites, influencing voters with millions of social media impressions, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University has revealed that the number of 'pink slime' news sites, which are fake news operations backed by partisan groups, has increased significantly over the last two decades. Today, an estimated 1,200 such sites are operating, up from just a handful in 2006.
These sites often present themselves as professional news outlets, but are secretly backed by partisan groups with a clear, though undisclosed, agenda. They pay social media platforms to advertise their reports, generating millions of impressions and influencing voters' preferences. The stories published on these sites are generally low-quality, low-effort, and often misleading, either directly or by omission.
One example of a 'pink slime' site is the Madison County Record in Illinois, which was created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and presented itself as a genuine news organization despite its undisclosed ties. On the other hand, the left-wing States Newsroom, which launched in 2018 and has operations in all 50 states, disputes its designation as a 'pink slime' site by NewsGuard.
By 2019, there were an estimated 450 'pink slime' sites, each distributing thousands of algorithmically generated articles and a smaller number of reported stories. At least 42 percent of these sites belonged to the right-leaning Metric Media. The problem of 'pink slime' sites has worsened in recent years, according to the Carnegie Mellon University study.
## Why it matters The rise of 'pink slime' news sites is particularly concerning because local news is the only form of journalism that voters still largely trust. In contrast, the national press is widely distrusted by the public. The proliferation of fake news sites poses a significant threat to the integrity of information and the democratic process. As voters rely on these sites for news, they are being subtly influenced by partisan groups, which can have serious consequences for the outcome of elections and the health of democracy.
## What happens next The study by Carnegie Mellon University highlights the need for increased awareness and regulation of 'pink slime' news sites. Social media platforms must take responsibility for the content they host and ensure that users are not misled by fake news reports. Furthermore, voters must be educated to critically evaluate the sources of information they consume and to be cautious of sites that present themselves as professional news outlets but are secretly backed by partisan groups.
