Twitter Misinformation Project

Twitter is a powerful and useful website, but it also tends to disseminate incorrect information very quickly when big news hits. Perhaps more sickening is the semi-constant back-patting of "Twitter is so much better than news sites!", especially given the questionable veracity of many tweets. This project takes the misinformation to the extreme, encouraging a critical look at any "facts" found on Twitter.
Sun Jun 14

Iranian Elections

The Iranian Election was pretty obviously rigged for Ahmadinejad, and he’s attempting to silence dissent through force. Our tweets, via @GettingNews:

  • Reports coming out that Ahmadinejad protesters are being rounded up in nets by men on horseback. #iranelection
  • News says that Ahmadinejad is releasing a gas codenamed “Rage” into the pro-Mousavi crowds. People turning on each other. #iranelection
  • Just heard on TV that Ahmadinejad has declared himself Emperor of Iran. He’s wearing a crown in his speech that’s on now. #iranelection
  • Ahmadinejad to Mousavi in his speech: “You are part of a rebel alliance and a traitor!” Orders him to be taken away. #iranelection
  • They’re saying that part of the country had difficult-to-understand “beetle ballots”. Ahmadinejad got Mousavi votes? #iranelection
  • Mousavi blames third party voters for loss in #iranelection, who claimed there was no difference between the two main parties.
  • Cell phones, internet, digital clocks, radios, and certain types of medical equipment being jammed in Iran. #iranelection
  • Anti-Ahmadinejad protesters heard chanting, “Kill the pig, Cut his throat, Spill his blood!” #iranelection
  • Show your support: #McDonalds in Tehran is giving free food to supporters of Mousavi. #iranelection
  • Breaking from Shiraz: crates of uncounted votes discovered from #iranelection. Also, delicious wine.
  • In Karaj, Iran. City completely under control of the police. Hoping they don’t stand so close to me. #iranelection