As we hurtle towards 2024 elections, interest in pink slime journalism and the continued growth of partisan local outlets with deep, often opaque, ties to dark money, advocacy groups and other special interests has only grown.
As election looms, a network of mysterious ‘pink slime’ local news outlets nearly triples in size
Editor’s Note: This is the second of our four pieces on this network. In December 2019, we first established the scope of the “pink slime” network distributing algorithmic stories and conservative talking points. In October 2021, we found that the network had received funding from multiple dark money groups as well as collaborated with advocacy […]
Pink-slime journalism
Pink-slime journalism is a practice in which news outlets, or fake partisan operations masquerading as such, publish (often but not always) lower-quality news reports that appear to be independent local news outlets.[1] The use of these websites to gather user data has also been observed.[2][3][4] The reports are either computer-generated or written by poorly-paid outsourced writers, sometimes using pen names.[3][5][6]
Hundreds of ‘pink slime’ local news outlets are distributing algorithmic stories and conservative talking points
<p>Editor’s Note: This is the first of our four pieces on this network. In August 2020, we found that the size of the network had nearly tripled to over 1200 sites. In October 2021, we found that the network had received funding from multiple dark money groups as well as collaborated with advocacy groups on topics to […]</p>
Just in time for the midterms: New Entry Joins "Pink Slime" Pseudo-News Sweepstakes
Newspapers with a partisan aim filling the void of traditional media
As independent local papers collapse, a new industry is being fueled by ideological donors seeking to further political agendas.
Local U.S. TV News Will Soon Be Entirely Right Wing Propaganda
Thanks to the destruction of media consolidation limits, Republicans will soon enjoy propaganda and market domination over what's left of local U.S. news.
Dark Money Political Ads Proliferate on Facebook and Instagram
“Pink slime” newsrooms secretly backed by partisan donors are spending big on Facebook and Instagram ads in battleground states.
‘Pink Slime’ Is Infecting AI Chatbots Ahead of the Midterms
Partisan websites disguised as independent, local news outlets are shaping chatbots’ responses about key races.
Americans Trust Local News. That Belief Is Being Exploited. (Published 2019)
A growth in impostor local news that promotes ideological agendas.
Local News and National Politics
The level of journalistic resources dedicated to coverage of local politics is in a long-term decline in the US news media, with readership shifting to national outlets. We investigate whether this trend is demand- or supply-driven, exploiting a recent wave of local television station acquisitions by a conglomerate owner. Using extensive data on local news programming and viewership, we find that the ownership change led to (1) substantial increases in coverage of national politics at the expense of local politics, (2) a significant rightward shift in the ideological slant of coverage, and (3) a small decrease in viewership, all relative to the changes at other news programs airing in the same media markets. These results suggest a substantial supply-side role in the trends toward nationalization and polarization of politics news, with negative implications for accountability of local elected officials and mass polarization.
Local News and National Politics
The level of journalistic resources dedicated to coverage of local politics is in a long-term decline in the US news media, with readership shifting to national outlets. We investigate whether this trend is demand- or supply-driven, exploiting a recent wave of local television station acquisitions by a conglomerate owner. Using extensive data on local news programming and viewership, we find that the ownership change led to (1) substantial increases in coverage of national politics at the expense of local politics, (2) a significant rightward shift in the ideological slant of coverage, and (3) a small decrease in viewership, all relative to the changes at other news programs airing in the same media markets. These results suggest a substantial supply-side role in the trends toward nationalization and polarization of politics news, with negative implications for accountability of local elected officials and mass polarization.
A well-heeled liberal group is filling the local news void with Trump-bashing coronavirus ads
Local newspapers are laying off their staffs across the US, hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, a new breed of deep-pocketed local publications such as UpNorthNews in Wisconsin and The Gander Newsroom in Michigan are filling the void.
Blendle: A radical experiment with micropayments in journalism, 365 days later
One year of journalism without subscriptions, without ads and without clickbait
Opinion: Losing the Local Journalism Initiative leaves communities in the dark
With more outlets vying for federal funding, why are national outlets opening up new bureaus in communities with healthy media ecosystems?
NPR doesn't think it's important to note that the VAST majority of these fake local paper ("pink slime") agitprop operations are run by Republicans
Websites pretending to be local news are boosting Democratic candidates
www.npr.orgPink-slime journalism
TowCenter/partisan-local-news
Hundreds of hyperpartisan sites are masquerading as local news. This map shows if there’s one near you.
Conservative PACs have paid at least $1.6 million to the extended Metric Media network this election cycle, a Tow Center investigation reveals.
NPR doesn't think it's important to note that the VAST majority of these fake local paper ("pink slime") agitprop operations are run by…
Someone Is Manipulating Your AI to Swing Your Vote | VisionHeight
Websites pretending to be local news are boosting Democratic candidates