Leftists have long complained that conservatives have used deceptive tactics to promote their agenda. However, a new report suggests some are doing the same thing they accuse others of.
According to Axios, Democratic operatives have created “a sprawling network” of fake local news sites that pump out partisan content in battleground states.
Websites promote Democrats while posing as local news sources
“A network of at least 51 locally branded news sites has popped up since last year under names like the Milwaukee Metro Times, the Mecklenburg Herald and the Tri-City Record,” Axios explained.
“The sites are focused on key swing states with elections in 2021 and 2022: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin,” it added.
Axios noted that all of the sites are patterned after “a similar template” featuring news stories about local sports teams and community events. Yet the sites also include “heavily slanted political news aimed at boosting Democratic midterm candidates and attacking Republican opponents.”
One example is called the Bucks County Standard, and last month it ran a piece on how Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro has been opening new campaign offices.
The article included multiple quotes from Shapiro and put a positive spin on his message about crime, mental health and the economy.
On the other hand, another site known as the Northern Clark Clark County Herald ran an article which attempted Nevada Republican Senate candidate Adam Laxalt with January 6.
Meanwhile, The Valley Gazette has accused Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake of “failing to provide answers” about her proposed income tax plan.
Sites are owned by Florida company and tied to Democratic operative David Brock
Despite their local sounding names, Axios noted that all of the websites are actually owned by a Florida-based company called Local Report Inc. which was created last year.
What’s more, much of the content is created by writers associated with The American Independent, a progressive outfit founded by long-time Democratic Party operative David Brock.
On its website, The American Independent describes itself as “the No. 1 digital platform for progressive news, reaching millions of people each month.”