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Mr. Sparkle

(3,444 posts)
Thu Apr 24, 2025, 11:11 AM Apr 24

Americans Believe Russian Disinformation 'To Alarming Degree' [View all]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Lasher (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Forbes

A third of Americans have fallen for Russian disinformation — and for other false online claims. A national YouGov survey commissioned by news rating firm NewsGuard presented 1,000 respondents with 10 false claims that have spread widely online, including three that originated from or were mainly spread by Russian media outlets.

And, the researchers found, Americans believe Kremlin disinformation to an alarming degree — along with other false claims relating to health and medicine, elections and international conflicts. Indeed, of the 10 claims presented, 78% of respondents believed at least one, and fewer than 1 in 100 managed to correctly identify all 10 claims as false. A quarter believed, for example, that up to half the U.S. aid money given to Ukraine was stolen by Ukrainian officials for personal use. More than half incorrectly thought that Ukraine sold Hamas weapons that had been donated by the U.S.

Meanwhile, fewer than half of respondents correctly identified as false the claim that COVID-19 vaccines have killed between 7.3 and 15 million people worldwide, while 1 in 5 said they believed the claim to be true. The claims were made on the basis of numbers described as arbitrary by experts, and not based on any research.

"The false narrative is based on an inaccurate analysis of deaths reported after Covid vaccination to the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System, a U.S. government database that collects unverified reports of adverse reports following vaccination," said NewsGuard. "The analysis was conducted by Edward Dowd, a former portfolio manager for investment management company BlackRock, who has no medical background and has previously made false claims about Covid-19 vaccines."

Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2025/04/22/americans-believe-russian-disinformation-to-alarming-degree/

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Excuse me Forbes!?!? AKwannabe Apr 24 #1
Because they are fabulously stupid. Basso8vb Apr 24 #2
And American media ain't very accurate either. progressoid Apr 24 #3
Everyone needs to take into account DENVERPOPS Apr 24 #11
I logged out of Google for a while and when I went to YouTube progressoid Apr 24 #14
I watch a lot of Meidas BidenRocks Apr 24 #16
Many Americans are dumber than my pet rock. republianmushroom Apr 24 #4
TRUMP has declared in many rallies DENVERPOPS Apr 24 #12
Dumbing America started BidenRocks Apr 24 #19
I have an old friend who I dearly love who has fallen for Russian misinformation that is washed through.. Botany Apr 24 #5
How else would you explain the Republicans and some Democrats Buddyzbuddy Apr 24 #6
From the article: "Belief in false claims cuts across party lines" Ponietz Apr 24 #7
This is news? SupportSanity Apr 24 #8
Those who believe it, want to believe it. nt Jit423 Apr 24 #9
Anyone DENVERPOPS Apr 24 #10
Second paragraph in the article has this link: markodochartaigh Apr 24 #20
when there is no reality, anything is possible stillcool Apr 24 #13
How is this a surprise if they already believe Trump. Make up lies, put them in history books and make children believe twodogsbarking Apr 24 #15
Several decades of training by Rush Limbaugh, FOX News, and the rest of the RW media has its effect JHB Apr 24 #17
This saddens me mountain grammy Apr 24 #18
Locking. Lasher Apr 24 #21
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