The Disinformation Age

No More Normal

The NoMoNo team was talking about ideas for our election coverage in early August: The potential for violence, attempts to subvert the vote and the importance of media literacy. It is not hyperbole to state that for most of us, this is the most important election we have ever taken a part in. That said, it is imperative that we are not only informed about our voting rights, but we ensure they are protected. That means becoming savvy about misinformation and disinformation and the ways that you and some people you may know are possibly being manipulated.

LINKS

• National Black Cultural Information Trust: Disinformation guide.
• Media Literacy Now: Main resource page for educators, librarians, and parents.
• Abq/Bernalillo County Public Library: Fake news resource.

VOICES BEHIND THE VOTE: Many first-time voters have a lot on their mind this election cycle. College students are coming of age in an unprecedented time with the COVID-19 pandemic, civil uprisings for racial justice and accelerating climate change. They're trying to figure it all out while keeping up with remote classes and assignments. As part of our Voices Behind the Vote series, UNM freshman Delaney Brigman spoke with KUNM’s Taylor Velazquez about why voting is important to her and what young people want from their politicians.

VOTER PROTECTIONS: The New York Times released an article on Wednesday, Oct. 21, that detailed findings from federal officials that say Iran and Russia have obtained voter registration data. The FBI says Iran used the information they got a hold of to send threatening , fake emails to potential voters—that’s misinformation.

And a new poll is showing that voters who aren’t White are concerned about violence, militias and police if they go to cast their ballot in-person.

We know that some of you have voted early, others have voted by mail. But anyone who is preparing to get in line on Nov. 3 (Election Day), know that your right to vote is protected by many laws, agencies, and officials.

No one has the right to threaten you, harass you or intimidate you at the polls. Any election’s official who discriminates against an in-person voter faces a five-thousand-dollar fine or up to five years in prison. Anyone who conspires to deprive someone of their right to vote faces up to 10 years in prison. No one can confront you at the polls under the law, raise their voice with you, threaten you or insult you. Law enforcement isn’t allowed at the polls except to vote, or to maintain order if something gets out of hand. And people who aren’t police can’t go to the polls dressed like law enforcement, either, under the law.

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No More Normal is brought to you by Your New Mexico Government, a collaboration between KUNM, New Mexico PBS, and the Santa Fe Reporter. Funding for our coverage comes from the New Mexico Local News Fund, the Kellogg Foundation and KUNM listeners like you, with support for public media provided by the Thornburg Foundation.