Disinformation - the Gift that Keeps on Giving

What does it mean? What can be done to fight back against disinformation?

Disinformation – the Gift that Keeps on Giving?

Barry J. McLoughlin, Leadership Communications Consultant

What began as a private Facebook conversation alleging Haitian immigrants in Springfield Ohio had been stealing cats, dogs and geese for food suddenly broke into the public consciousness in the Presidential Debate when former President Donald Trump referred to it as evidence that the immigration system is broken. An attempt by ABC Moderator David Muir to fact-check him live didn’t stop him from continuing his claim. This wild assertion spread all over both legacy media, online digital and social media sites. The MAGA base piled on, amplified by Mr. Trump and J.D. Vance fanning the flames with "I heard from people." and "I saw it on television." This sets a new precedent: Hearsay is now a standard of credibility.

The mainstream media, always reluctant to appear partisan, reported on the allegations, even as they were being debunked in real-time. But here’s the twist—denying the disinformation only seems to amplify it. The longer these stories stay in the media ecosystem, the more they feel, to many, that they could be true. And that is all it takes for disinformation to gain a foothold: a kernel of doubt or plausibility.

Even after one of the major spreaders of the false claim admitted her mistake and apologized, the damage was done. The momentum was underway, and it was too late to reel it in. Springfield's Mayor and Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine, who are Republicans, came out strongly against the claims. They denounced the disinformation and highlighted the harm it was doing to their community. But in today's world of political expediency, it no longer mattered.

It doesn’t have to be true, but it usually needs to be plausible.

In the online media world emotional narratives often overshadow factual evidence. Whether something could be true, rather than if it is true, matters more, especially when it serves a political agenda – what Stephen Colbert called ‘truthiness’. Misinformation, which doesn’t have an agenda steering it, can quickly spread globally on social media, becoming a valuable tool for political operatives. When weaponized, it turns into disinformation with a clear political agenda. This disinformation divides communities, fuels race-baiting, and in Springfield, has led to school closures, public event cancellations, and rising anonymous hate-based threats.

Once an idea catches fire, it’s nearly impossible to extinguish, even with facts.

This raises troubling questions: Do facts still matter? And what should we do when confronted with a tidal wave of disinformation?

Here are five key steps to consider:

1. Demand evidence: In the face of disinformation, the first line of defense should always be: "Show me the evidence." Unsubstantiated claims should be met with skepticism, and the burden of proof should fall squarely on those making the allegations.

2. Challenge hearsay as non-evidence: Phrases like "I heard it from people" or "it was all over social media" should not pass as evidence. A clear and loud message needs to be repeated: hearsay and social media posts are not proof.

3. Understand the asymmetry of debunking: Disproving a falsehood is always harder than making an accusation. But refuting disinformation clearly and often is necessary to prevent it from gaining traction.

4. Stay focused on the real issues: The more time you spend talking about geese or dog-eating claims, the further you drift from discussing the issues that matter. Don't get sucked into the vortex of nonsense; instead, redirect the conversation to policies and facts that influence people's lives.

5. Use humor: It can be a powerful antidote to absurdity. We’ve seen this on late-night talk shows and political satire programs like?The Daily Show.?When outlandish claims become the butt of jokes, it weakens their power. A good laugh often disarms ridiculous disinformation better than anger or defensiveness.

The story of the Springfield geese is not just a cautionary tale of how quickly disinformation spreads; it’s a reflection of our fractured media ecosystem and the ease with which lies can be weaponized for political gain. The truth matters—but only if we fight for it, call out falsehoods, and refuse to let wild accusations dominate the conversation.

In an age where disinformation controls the narrative, those who care about the truth must be louder, sharper, and, yes, funnier. We must all become defenders of evidence-based reality, or risk getting swept up in a whirlwind of disinformation.

Barry McLoughlin, President of TLC Transformational Leadership Consultants Inc.?with offices in Ottawa ON and Washington DC works with numerous political leaders throughout Canada and the United States. He teaches Risk and Crisis Communications in an Age of Disinformation?for the Professional Development Institute at the University of Ottawa.