Lies become the truth if something isn’t done about disinformation

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View this email online Leila Fadel Host, Morning Edition and Up First NPR and WBEZ are mission-driven, non-profit organizations. From reliable political coverage to shining a light on your local arts scene and more, your donation makes a difference in your community. Donate now. I remember a story I told out of Stockton, California, last year. A local blog that trafficked in misinformation was filling the hole left behind by the city’s newspaper. That blog became the go-to source for much of the community. And some of its work was honest, but it also trafficked in racist memes and manufactured political scandals.   I remember one official who lost his election because of these lies. He told me that he knocked on 4,000 doors. Even people who knew him told him, "I like you, but I’m reading all this stuff online and I’m not sure." He warned that Stockton was a harbinger of what could happen nationally.  He warned that lies will become the truth if something isn’t done about disinformation. The demonization of fact-based journalism and the slow blurring of lines between truth and fiction is sinister; a very effective way, in my opinion, to decimate democracy and stifle our ability to hold those in power to account.   It's worth noting that before I reported on that official in Stockton, the first person telling stories about that local blog was a reporter from CapRadio, an NPR station in Sacramento. Donate Today The existence of NPR — and crucially, NPR stations — is a form of resistance against the undermining of the media and facts. We give millions of people access to factual, powerful stories on our storytelling platforms free of charge. When NPR and WBEZ thrive, the truth is brought to light. And the powerful are held to account. Having a reporter at the school board meeting or local government meetings – that is our resistance to the undermining of a free press. NPR and NPR stations resist by being there. By providing platforms for people to see themselves reflected, and to see difference. NPR and WBEZ today are mission-driven, non-profit organizations. Your financial support gives us the tools we need to do more.  Your donation – together with others giving what they can – is a crucial part of what keeps NPR and WBEZ going. Please donate to WBEZ today.  If you are already a donor to your NPR station, thank you! Your support makes a difference. Support WBEZ. Donate Now Select a different station You received this message because you're subscribed to Education emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy