Disinformation from QAnon gaining power, must stop

It+is+imperative+we+stop+the+spread+of+disinformation+and+maintain+truth+in+the+media+by+removing+platforms+of+broadcasting+these+falsities%2C+writes+features+editor+Grace+Holleb.+

Midway staff

It is imperative we stop the spread of disinformation and maintain truth in the media by removing platforms of broadcasting these falsities, writes features editor Grace Holleb.

Grace Holleb, Features Editor

On Jan. 6, pro-Trump rioters, eager to overturn the election results, stormed the U.S. Capitol, shocking the general public, even though online discussions about this had been taking place for weeks. Baseless conspiracy theories have influenced and misinformed people — they are wreaking havoc, causing violence and evolving into a collection of theories that allege the far left are “cannibalistic child predators” and the far right are “victims and saviors.” 

These conspiracy theories — QAnon and others — are more powerful than once thought, and their spread is getting entirely out of hand. 

People are so brainwashed by conspiracy theories, they are unable to think logically and instead have succumbed to irrational theories that dictate their actions. These baseless theories are spreading even further into 2021. 

QAnon conspiracy theorists believe Trump is working against the criminal “deep state” and they need to save the sex-trafficked children the left are hiding. According to Pew Research Center, from March to September 2020 the percentage of people who have “heard of” QAnon has increased by 24%. Online speculation allows baseless ideas to be originated and spread intensely. 

With QAnon conspiracy theorists inciting violence and deepening the divide between our nation’s two main political parties, it is imperative we stop the spread of disinformation and maintain truth in the media by removing platforms of broadcasting these falsities.