Misinformation is filling the void left by mass media layoffs and closings.
A slew of falsehoods are filling the void left by the mass media closures and layoffs. A slew of misinformation is filling the void left by mass media layoffs and closures.
Misinformation is filling the void left by mass media layoffs and closings.
In November 2025, the United States will experience its first presidential election without a working media system. Over the last 20 years, 43,000 journalists have been laid off and nearly one-third of print publications have closed their doors. The increase in ownership of broadcast media has resulted in newsrooms being shut down nationwide, while digital platforms, which were once seen as the future of communication, are now failing rapidly. Large areas of the country are now lacking in news coverage. Media and democracy experts are cautioning that there is a lack of information emerging, not only in rural areas but also in urban centers previously considered to be communication focal points. This absence is being filled by a mixture of deepfake disinformation, a large portion of which is created by quickly advancing artificial intelligence technology. How is Donald Trump and his rightwing allies reacting to support his authoritarian goals for a potential second term as president? They aim to leave the United States vulnerable to misinformation, not just about political candidates and parties, but also about voting, elections, and other essential aspects of democracy.
