Pink-slime journalism

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Pink-slime journalism is a practice in which American news outlets, or fake partisan operations masquerading as such, publish poor-quality news reports which appear to be local news.[1] Researchers and media credibility raters have observed pink-slime journalism being used to support both Republican Party and Democratic Party politicians or policies.[1][2][3] The use of these websites to gather user data has also been observed.[4][2][5] The reports are either computer-generated or written by poorly-paid outsourced writers, sometimes using pen names.[2][6][7]

The term "pink-slime journalism" was coined by journalist Ryan Smith in 2012.[5] A related term, "news mirage", was coined in 2024 by journalists Miranda Green and David Folkenflik to refer to websites that "look like news, but in truth [serve as] mouthpieces" for corporations or advocacy groups with a non-journalistic agenda.[8]

Media watchdog organization Newsguard reported in June 2024 that the "number of partisan-backed outlets designed to look like impartial news outlets has officially surpassed the number of real, local daily newspapers in the U.S."[9]

  1. ^ a b Davies, David Martin; Bengani, Priyanjana (April 13, 2023). "Pink Slime news is spreading in news deserts" (Radio broadcast). Texas Public Radio. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Bengani, Priyanjana (December 18, 2019). "Hundreds of 'pink slime' local news outlets are distributing algorithmic stories and conservative talking points". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference nyti_AsLo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Graham, Jennifer (September 7, 2021). "Understanding 'pink slime journalism' and what it reveals about conservatives and liberals". Deseret News. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  6. ^ Kennedy, Dan (July 5, 2012). "Exposing the "'pink slime' journalism" of Journatic". Media Nation. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  7. ^ Bengani, Priyanjana (August 4, 2020). "As election looms, a network of mysterious 'pink slime' local news outlets nearly triples in size". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  8. ^ Dhanesha, Neel (June 26, 2024). "Cityside launches Richmondside, its third local news site in California". Nieman Labs. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  9. ^ Fischer, Sara (June 19, 2024). "Dark money news outlets outpacing local daily newspapers". Axios. Retrieved June 12, 2024.