Oct 9, 2024 Story by: Editor
A coalition of prominent Black organizations is sounding the alarm to media and voters about disinformation campaigns targeting Black Americans ahead of the crucial November election.
In a letter spearheaded by Onyx Impact, a nonprofit committed to combating disinformation within the Black community, the organizers called on Black media outlets to acknowledge the harmful impact such disinformation has on Black voters. The letter states, “During a historic election year where critical issues that will determine the future of our communities are on the ballot, including the economy, healthcare, voting rights, and more, it is essential that Black media and Black Gateway Influencers and Platforms have the resources and tools necessary to stem the rising tide of disinformation and provide their growing audiences with even more accurate information.” The letter was co-signed by 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.
Earlier this year, an Onyx Impact report revealed that over 40 million Americans within Black online communities may have been exposed to election-related disinformation.
The report highlighted that disinformation aimed at discouraging Black voter participation often focused on narratives of civic disengagement, unfulfilled promises by President Biden, and efforts to sow division. It also found that far-right activists, including Black far-right figures, were responsible for spreading the majority of the disinformation targeting Black communities.
Esosa Osa, founder of Onyx Impact, explained to The Hill, “It’s because of the massive political power of Black communities that we see efforts to try to stem their participation, to try to sow division in our communities, to try to directly push back on our power. As we’re heading into this election, it’s incredibly important to recognize that while Black folks are not more susceptible to disinformation, they are the targets of sophisticated disinformation campaigns.”
The letter stresses that the use of disinformation to manipulate Black Americans is not a new tactic. “The use of disinformation to influence the civic participation of Black people in the United States is not new,” it reads. “During Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement, disinformation was used to mislead, intimidate, and harm Black voters in an attempt to thwart their participation in the voting process. 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.” Source: The Hill
