Media is/spreads “fake news”

Weaponizing the “fake news” label

The “fake news” label has become a powerful tool for extremists and populists to discredit journalists and fact-checkers. By accusing the media of spreading false information, these groups seek to erode public trust in established news sources and fact-checking organizations. The narrative is often used to dismiss critical, independent coverage that exposes their actions.  Extremists and populists use this tactic to sow confusion and create an environment where their followers question what these groups describe as “mainstream media”.

This rhetoric is a powerful tool for undermining the role of the press in democratic societies, silencing critical journalism -or attempting to do so-, and fostering environments where mi mis/disinformation and conspiracy theories can thrive. By consistently labeling credible journalism as “fake news” or accusing them of “spreading fake news,” these groups create a dangerous feedback loop where it becomes increasingly difficult to discern between facts, opinions and disinformation.

This narrative has been adopted by disinformation purveyors and adapted to the specific context of each country:

Narrative: In the case of Faktograf, a fact-checking organization in Croatia, the “fake news” narrative is used to discredit their work by accusing them of spreading disinformation themselves. Extremists and populists claim that Faktograf selectively checks facts to fit a specific agenda, ignoring inaccuracies that align with their supposed left-wing bias. This false rhetoric aims at creating doubt about Faktograf’s fact-checking efforts and portrays them as part of a broader conspiracy to manipulate public opinion.

Narrative: Marincea’s investigative work on far-right extremism is labeled as biased and fake by these groups, who claim that she portrays Romanian nationalists as neo-Nazis based on fabricated evidence. Additionally, she is accused of inciting vandalism and unrest through her “fake news” reporting.

Narrative: Conspiracy groups accuse Maldita of being part of a globalist agenda, funded by entities like George Soros, to suppress conservative voices. By labeling Maldita’s work as “fake news,” these groups aim to discredit their efforts to combat disinformation and to portray them as partisan actors rather than neutral fact-checkers.

Narrative: Roth has been accused of spreading “fake news” particularly by anti-vaccine activists and right-wing extremists. For example, after Roth reported on a vaccination campaign in Baden-Württemberg and the related agitation by the Querdenker (lateral thinkers), a prominent anti-vaccine figure, Heinrich Fiechtner, accused him on Telegram of spreading disinformation. Fiechtner claimed that Roth was misleading the public about the nature of vaccines and that his reporting could lead to harm, framing Roth as deliberately spreading falsehoods.