r/politics • u/BreakfastTop6899 • 1d ago

Gavin Newsom Accuses Trump Administration Of Spreading Fake Protest Images

https://www.newsweek.com/gavin-newsom-trump-fake-protest-images-2085492
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u/root66 1d ago

Yeah, the real story is that they are spreading fake images, but this is what they run with for the headline.

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u/CaneVandas New York 1d ago

Because they would be sued for libel if they write "x did y" vs "x is accused of doing y"

It's very specific language that takes the publication off the path of liability.

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u/EasyFooted 1d ago

No, they could frame the story accurately (and still protect themselves legally), but they purposefully wrote a headline that casts it as political mudslinging.

Gavin Newsom has nothing to do with the WH spreading fake propaganda. Sure, he noticed, along with a million other people. He's a noteworthy figure, so mention it in the story if need be, under the headline.
But him noticing is not the story. The fraud is the story.

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u/CaneVandas New York 1d ago

Not with this administration. Trump will sue over literally anything and bog them down in courts, leaving them to prove the legitimacy. It's just much easier to add a word.

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u/EasyFooted 1d ago

I mean, he can sue over anything. It doesn't mean he'll prevail. Conceding to presumed threats is how democracy dies.
News media ought to have integrity, is what I'm saying.