Democrats' swing-state local news ploy

By artappraiser on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 3:38pm |

By Laclan Markay & Thomas Wheatly @ Axios.com, Oct. 6

Writers for a D.C.-based media operation run by prominent Democratic operatives are behind a sprawling network of ostensible local media outlets churning out Democrat-aligned news content in midterm battleground states, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Behind the patina of independent local news, these sites are pumping out content designed to put a sheen of original reporting on partisan messaging.

It's an increasingly common tactic among political outfits looking to give their team a steady stream of positive content they can then use to boost their own electoral communications.

What's happening: A network of at least 51 locally branded news sites has popped up since last year under names like the Milwaukee Metro Times, the Mecklenburg Herald and the Tri-City Record.

What's happening: A network of at least 51 locally branded news sites has popped up since last year under names like the Milwaukee Metro Times, the Mecklenburg Herald and the Tri-City Record.

The intrigue: "About Us" pages for each of the sites say they're run by a company called Local Report Inc., which was formed in Florida last year.

The sites are focused on key swing states with elections in 2021 and 2022: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Each follows a similar template: aggregated local news content and short write-ups about local sports teams and attractions — interspersed with heavily slanted political news aimed at boosting Democratic midterm candidates and attacking Republican opponents.

Their mastheads indicate involvement by another entity: the American Independent, a Washington-based progressive news outfit.

Six American Independent writers have each contributed to most or all of the sites in the network, according to an Axios review of bylines on the sites [....]

URL:

https://www.axios.com/2022/10/06/democrats-local-news-david-brock

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AKA a disinformation campaign https://t.co/Toos6emdM9
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 7, 2022

They note in the piece that one of the fake news sites ("The Columbus News") was spreading this article, which was then picked up and boosted by Stacey Abrams. pic.twitter.com/WX7yxM8QNg
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 7, 2022

Abrams later deleted the Tweet after an actual news reporter pointed out they lifted from his story and twisted the facts: https://t.co/9OGDoe8OoR
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 7, 2022

But she's still making the false claim that was embedded in the fake news story https://t.co/tPpzMrn2cB
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 7, 2022

If you're curious about the legislative text, one miscarriages are legally exempt from the law and two Georgia has prohibited abortion past 20 weeks for years. So if the argument is that *any* abortion restriction would lead to these investigations, then why haven't they happened pic.twitter.com/rN5EsYeSp9
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 7, 2022

by artappraiser on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 3:44pm

Political orgs continue taking advantage of the decline of local news https://t.co/Vciap86z6P
— Andrew Eggenberger (@andrewlcgraphic) October 7, 2022

by artappraiser on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 3:44pm

a selection of good comments:

So, this sounds like an even more concerted effort than Russia's in 16. Can I assume we will spend the next several years investigating various Dem candidates and claim their elections' were fraudulent?
— ForeignOrchid (@foreignorchid) October 7, 2022

We have the Copper Courier in AZ. Featured in fluff TV comments for the Dem candidates. You don't get sleezier than this, pretending your just another local rag but being 100% Dem talking point-driven.
— John Helmich (@itsborken) October 7, 2022

I don't know why they feel the need to be clandestine. Virtually all news outlets are already doing the same thing right out in the open.
— SanchoPanzy (@SanchoPanzy) October 7, 2022

Nothing new for either side. https://t.co/01rWN3acd3
— I am (@Bygone1) October 7, 2022

Where I mostly have a problem is when propaganda and activism is disguised as objective reporting.

To me, that's more disturbing than open propaganda that is presented as open propaganda.
— SanchoPanzy (@SanchoPanzy) October 7, 2022

There are loads of "news" sites doing the same thing right here on Twitter. @breaking911 comes to mind.

GOP has been doing this for decades. Why pretend it's one-sided?https://t.co/GGGNKQ4WwL
— I am (@Bygone1) October 7, 2022

And it's also the case for the "Augusta Updates" of the world.

My only question is what really distinguishes them from virtually any other "news" outlet.

About the only source that is bias-free is C-Span, because they just let the cameras roll.
— SanchoPanzy (@SanchoPanzy) October 7, 2022

edit to add, more from Vogel:

This technique, which blurs the line between local news & political propaganda, is increasingly utilized by big money operations on both sides.

It exploits an unfortunate reality: the decline of truly independent local news.

Good job exposing it by @lachlan & @thomaswheatley. https://t.co/Rxlu9sTxf0
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) October 7, 2022

by artappraiser on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 4:03pm

And when ppl hear these voices?

biden after hearing the mario voice pic.twitter.com/w2VmW5LiM2
— Ben Rosen (@ben_rosen) October 6, 2022

by PeraclesPlease on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 4:33pm

Political mailers disguised as neutral local news publications have been cropping up around the country.

"The tactic takes on new weight as trust in news declines—and more local papers shutter," writes @CharlottetKlein: https://t.co/RN6IjGBQmz
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) October 11, 2022

by artappraiser on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 3:10pm

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