Ireland – ‘Fighting Fake News’ podcast: Abortion referendum could be a magnet for disinformation – former minister

'Fighting Fake News' podcast: Abortion referendum could be a magnet for disinformation - former minister

Kevin Doyle
March 18 2018

ANTI-abortion extremists are likely to use social media to spread disinformation in a bid "to frighten the population into retaining the status quo", former communications minister Pat Rabbitte has said.

The ex-Labour TD, who admits to having his own perspective on the vote, believes the upcoming referendum could be influenced by outside forces who have no issue with using shock tactics.

Continued: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fighting-fake-news-podcast-abortion-referendum-could-be-a-magnet-for-disinformation-former-minister-36717131.html

U.S.: Fake News, Fake Science and Why Doctors Lie About Abortion

Fake News, Fake Science and Why Doctors Lie About Abortion
By Rebecca Traister
Jan 17, 2017, New York Magazine

These days, nearly everyone is crying “fake news!” Not least of all President-elect Donald Trump, who may have been the beneficiary of certain untrue news stories during the campaign, but has perhaps awoken to the potential nightmare of living in a world in which baseless claims, unhinged from facts or demonstrable reality, can pass for truth.

But for many in the medical and scientific communities, the preponderance of fake news predates not only Golden Shower Gate, but the 2016 election itself. Bad information about women’s health — especially around sexual health, abortion, and reproductive care — has been making the world worse for women for years.

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Source, New York Magazine: http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/01/what-happens-when-fake-news-about-abortion-becomes-law.html

17.01.2017