A Former Disinformation Reporter is Running The Onion. Plus, Birds ARE Real.
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This week, the Department of Justice accused one of the most influential right wing outlets of laundering tens of millions of dollars. On this week’s On the Media, a former reporter on his progression from defining the disinformation beat to running one of the most famous fake news outlets, The Onion. Plus, a satirical movement about birds illuminates the inner workings of conspiracies.

[01:09] Host Micah Loewinger interviews Ben Collins), newly minted shareholder and CEO of the satirical site The Onion), about how his background in disinformation reporting led him to his latest gig. 

[18:03] Host Brooke Gladstone speaks with Ian Beacock) about Birds Aren’t Real), a prank conspiracy theory that is itself a case study in how misinformation spreads.

[34:41] Lastly, Brooke interviews Annalee Newitz) about their latest book, Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind). They discuss how stories have long been spun as a means of controlling people — from the 18th century to today’s culture wars. 

Further reading:

• “Trump, QAnon and an impending judgment day: Behind the Facebook-fueled rise of The Epoch Times,”) by Brandy Zadrozny and Ben Collins
• “Birds Aren’t Real: The Prank That Turned Misinformation on Its Head,” )by Ian Beacock
• Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind )by Annalee Newitz

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