After Truth: Desinformation und der Preis von Fake News (2020)

After Truth: Desinformation und der Preis von Fake News: Directed by Andrew Rossi. With Jack Burkman, Elizabeth Williamson, Molly McKew, Troy Michalik. A look at the ongoing threat caused by the phenomenon of “fake news” in the U.S., focusing on the real-life consequences that disinformation, conspiracy theories and false news stories have on the average citizen.

“u0026quot;After Truth – Disinformation and the Cost of Fake Newsu0026quot; (2020 release; 94 min.) is a documentary about the recent (as in: last 5-6 years) phenomenon by (mostly) right-wing conspiracy theorists to purposefully spew falsehoods onto social media. As the film opens, we get to know Jack Burkman, right wing consultant who looks at the use of u0026quot;fake newsu0026quot; as nothing more than one would look at the use of chemical weapons in time of war: u0026quot;itu0026#39;s there to use, it doesnu0026#39;t mean I like itu0026quot;. We then go to u0026quot;2015, Bastrop, Texasu0026quot; as Washington Post journalist Elizabeth Williamson talks about how local conspiracy nuts create a media frenzy claiming that US military exercises are just a front for imposing martial law and rounding up political opponents… At this point we are 10 min. into the documentary.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eCouple of comments: this is the latest from veteran documentary-director Andrew Rossi. Here he examines the rise of u0026quot;disinformationu0026quot; (translation: falsehoods) being launched onto social media and what it does to society, The documentary focuses on several specific incidents: Bastrop, TX (2015), u0026quot;pizzagateu0026quot; (2016), Seth Richu0026#39;s death (2016), and the smearing of Robert Mueller (2018). All of it is sure to make your blood boil in disgust, if not anger, as we watch how (mostly) right wingers cynically use and abuse facts to twist a u0026quot;newu0026quot; or u0026quot;alternativeu0026quot; or outright false truth that suits them politically. The great thing about this documentary is that it isnu0026#39;t a one-way street, but instead it lets both sides of the story give their view/version, and the viewer can deduce his or her own conclusion. Along the way, Rossi and his team also examine how technology platforms like Facebook and Twitter enable these manipulations while standing by. And then this dilemma: should the left join the frenzy and spew their own falsehoods? As someone laments: u0026quot;Do you win by playing their game?u0026quot; u0026quot;Two wrongs donu0026#39;t make it rightu0026quot;, offers Alabama Senator Doug Jones.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;After Truthu0026quot; premiered on HBO in late March, and is now available on HBO On Demand and other streaming services. If you have any interest in politics, or simply in understanding how falsehoods come about and influence society, Iu0026#39;d readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion. I myself found it to be must-see TV.”