‘Sophisticated Disinformation Campaigns’ Target Black Voters

As the November election approaches, the “enormous” power of black voters is being threatened by “sophisticated disinformation campaigns,” a brand new letter says.

Organizers of Onyx Impact, a nonprofit dedicated to combating misinformation within the black community, have joined forces to publish a letter informing the black media and the black community in regards to the disinformation getting used to discourage black voters.

The letter, signed by Onyx Impact members Judith Browne Dianis of the Advancement Project, Mondale Robinson of the Black Male Voter Project, Maurice Mitchell of the Working Families Party, and Glynda C. Carr of Higher Heights, follows report published earlier this yr, found that greater than 40 million Americans in black spaces online can have received misinformation about this yr’s election.

“In a historic election year where key issues that will determine the future of our communities are on the ballot, including the economy, health care, voting rights, and more, it is critical that Black media, Black Gateway influencers, and platforms have the resources and tools necessary to stop the growing tide of misinformation and provide more and more audiences with even more accurate information,” the letter reads.

The report identified several threats to Black voter participation, a few of which worked to fuel civic disengagement, claims of President Biden’s unfulfilled guarantees and efforts to stoke division. Much of the disinformation was spread by far-right activists, including Black far-right activists, the report found.

“It is because of the immense political power of the Black community that we see efforts to limit Black participation, sow division in our communities, and directly challenge our power,” says Esosa Osa, founding father of Onyx Impact. he said .

“As we approach the election, it is critical to recognize that while Black people are not more susceptible to disinformation, they are targets of sophisticated disinformation campaigns.”

The letter went on to cite America’s history of discouraging black voters through disinformation strategies used to limit the voting power of the black community.

“During Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement, disinformation was used to mislead, intimidate, and harm black voters in order to prevent them from participating in the voting process,” writes Onyx Impact. “While the methods, technologies, and sophistication of disinformation have changed, the intent remains the same—to prevent, discourage, and dissuade black voters from exercising their immense power at the ballot box.”

In response to disinformation campaigns, Onyx Impact is asking on media and influencers to assist counteract the impact of those activities by taking 4 actions: promoting the voices of trusted Black leaders, encouraging audiences to confirm sources, calling attention to divisive content, and investing in fact-checking resources.

“We all need to be especially careful, especially now, in this cycle, about overly negative emotional content online, because that’s where we can come across false and misleading narratives,” Osa says.

“If you have a really strong negative reaction, that’s when you need to stop, take a deep breath, and check it out.”

In May, the Pew Research Center published test on the crucial role that black voters will play in determining the end result of the 2024 presidential election. Another survey was conducted in March revealed Part of the relatively strong support for former President Donald Trump in polls against President Biden, each nationally and in individual states, was attributable to unexpectedly high support for him amongst black voters.

Given the ability that black voters have, it’s clear why they’re targets of disinformation campaigns.