Wait. What? Fake News about Sexual Assault

Original Air Date: November 26, 2017
Wait.  What?  Fake News about Sexual Assault - Episode 16

In this episode Beth and Elizabeth tackle the gross realization that fake news follows everything.  Even sexual assault.  We start with some rumors going around about Al Fraken and Leeann Tweeden.

The Article: Did Franken Photog Say Groping Image Was Staged?
Outcome: Fake
Link: https://www.snopes.com/photographer-said-franken-image-was-staged/
This Snopes article is in reference to the infamous photo (above) of Al Franken touching Leeann Tweeden while she was sleeping on a plane.  The propaganda theory put forward is that she was in on the photo and it was a gag.  There is no truth to this, and it is pure fake news.

Next we review a blog post with a theory.
The Article:  Al Franken's accuser has some very suspicious ties.
Outcome: Opinion with a splash of propaganda
Link: ​https://www.weaponizedpolitics.com/home/2017/11/16/al-frankens-accuser-has-some-very-suspicious-ties
Although Elizabeth agrees with the thought process that there is politics involved, this blog makes a lot of assumptions that are not sourced.   This is a blog, so it's not a news source, but it's the type of thing that can influence people to start thinking in the direction they want.  AKA  Propaganda.  

We then review an article from Daily Beast that talks about a Twitter account that was hacked and used to accuse Senator Richard Blumenthal of sexual assault.   The accusations were made up, and the woman behind the Tweets doesn't even exist.
The Article: WAIT, WHAT?  A Twitter Account With Two Fake IDs Accused a Democrat of Assault. Then Pro-Trump Sites Ran With It.
Link: https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-twitter-account-with-two-fake-ids-accused-a-democrat-of-assault-then-pro-trump-sites-ran-with-it

---

Then, on to Roy Moore, the Republican candidate for senate in Alabama.  He has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault when they were teenagers, and he was in his 30's.  Enter Breitbart and Steve Banon to the rescue! 

We start with 4 Breitbart articles that have been posted by the two crack reporters that have been dispatched to Alabama to dig up "information" on Roy Moore accusers.  Aaron Klein and Matthew Boyle.  There are many more articles on Breitbart about the issue.  
Article #1:  EXCLUSIVE – Roy Moore: Gloria Allred’s Refusal to Release Yearbook Proves Allegations Are ‘Completely Untrue’
​Link: www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/17/exclusive-roy-moore-gloria-allreds-refusal-to-release-yearbook-proves-allegations-are-completely-untrue/
Article #2:  EXCLUSIVE – Mother of Roy Moore Accuser: Washington Post Reporters Convinced My Daughter to Go Public
Link: www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/11/12/exclusive-mother-roy-moore-accuser-washington-post-reporters-convinced-daughter-go-public/
Article  #3: Ned Ryun on Roy Moore: ‘I Strongly, Strongly Suspect Somebody out of the McConnell Camp Planted the Story’
Link: www.breitbart.com/radio/2017/11/17/ryun-roy-moore-strongly-suspect-somebody-mcconnell-camp-planted-story/
Article #4: EXCLUSIVE – Stepson of Roy Moore Accuser: Accusations ‘One Hundred Percent a Lie’
The link: www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/16/exclusive-stepson-of-roy-moore-accuser-accusations-one-hundred-percent-a-lie/

People have noticed Breitbart's obsession with posting articles about Roy Moore.  Even actual journalists have noticed.... on the left and the right.  We review two articles, the first one from Slate.
The Article: How Breitbart Is Covering the Roy Moore Accusations
Link: www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/11/14/how_breitbart_is_covering_the_roy_moore_accusations.html
 And one from National Review (yep, that National Review - the conservative one).
The Article: Two reporters are in Alabama trying to discredit Roy Moore’s accusers. They haven’t found much.
​Link:www.nationalreview.com/article/453712/roy-moore-breitbart-tries-fails-discredit-accusers 

So what harm does all this fake news - whether it's about sexual assault or not - do to our society?  Our next article tackles the issue.  
The Article: False charges of ‘Fake News’ Are Harming Our Free Press
Link: mediabiasfactcheck.com/2017/11/19/false-charges-fake-news-harming-free-press/

We end with another Snopes article that exposes the hoax that accuses Stephen Hawking of sexual misconduct.   Stephen Hawking?  Is nothing sacred?  No.  The answer is no. 
The Article: Was Stephen Hawking Accused of Sexual Misconduct?
Link: www.snopes.com/was-stephen-hawking-accused-misconduct/?

---

We also had a sad announcement at the beginning of the episode - this will be Elizabeth's last episode with the podcast as a full time co-host.   WAIT.  WHAT? The podcast is continuing though - Beth is looking for a new co-host and will be sending Elizabeth lots of fig jam to try and convince her to guest host every now and then!  Please send Elizabeth all your thoughts on her departure to podcastfakenews@gmail.com.
This podcast would not have been possible with Elizabeth, she made it better and made it happen!  We will miss her witty commentary and insight, and wish her lots of good sleep with dreams of Lisa Franks unicorns and detachable penises.  

​Join us bi-weekly for new episodes!  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!  Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast app!  We are on iTunes, Stitcher, Tunein, Google Play, You Tube, and iHeart Radio!  If you are so inclined - help others find us by giving us a 5 star rating!
​
​And don't forget - Spread jam, not lies.