Misinformation and our work to make meaningful change

It is difficult to have a conversation with people about immigration. This is at least part of the reason why. Entertainment programs which promote themselves as new programs make statements that contradict the simple truth.

Recently, Sean Hannity of Fox "News" stated that the National Council of La Raza has called for the annexation of southwestern states. This would be ridiculous if it were true. This is what Hannity said:



National Council of La Raza issued the following in response today:


February 27, 2009

John Moody
Executive Vice President, News Editorial
FOX News Channel
News Corporation
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

Dear John Moody:

On the February 25, 2009 edition of Hannity, Sean Hannity stated that my organization, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), has called for Mexico to annex southwestern states. NCLR is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States and last year celebrated its 40th anniversary as an American institution.

NCLR has never made the statement and does not support the views Mr. Hannity attributes to us, as even a cursory review of our public statements or website would substantiate. Such conspiracy theories would be silly if they were not so often used to create fear and distrust of all Hispanics living in America. While Mr. Hannity is well within his rights to disagree with the views of our organization, he is not entitled to lie about us. In light of this, we are asking in the strongest terms possible for an immediate on-air correction.

. . .

Sincerely,

Janet Murguía

I would care so much what Sean Hannity says on his program if there was some way to know if what he says has any merit. However, and this applies to other news outlets as well, there seems to be no way of knowing what gets said on the air is true or not. I am more inclined to believe Comedy Central's fake news program than I am inclined to believe the so-called "real news."

When people believe these things they repeat them as if they were true. Larger portions of the population think they an informed opinion about immigration or any other issue. This makes real policy making more difficult or even impossible. Even if Fox were to retract or correct this misinformation, it will likely be repeated for some time as if it were true.

May God have mercy!