President Biden calls on ‘immoral’ news outlets to stop spreading COVID-19 misinformation

In a press briefing on Tuesday to update the American public, President Joe Biden directly addressed news outlets and social media users regarding the spread of COVID-19 misinformation.

The President outlined the next steps the US will take in the fight against COVID-19, including additional testing and vaccination sites.

Biden then turned his attention to the rampant misinformation surrounding the virus, saying those who refuse the vaccine “have been fueled by dangerous misinformation on cable TV and social media.” The President continued, “It’s wrong, it’s immoral, and I call upon the purveyors of these lies and misinformation to stop it. Stop it now.”

The misinformation surrounding the pandemic has led to many infections and deaths, research has shown. Earlier this year, the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) released its findings that most of the COVID-19 misinformation that circulated regarding the pandemic up to the time of the study was started by only 12 people, which the CCDH dubbed “The Disinformation Dozen.” Named in the findings are, among others, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Ben Tapper.

The President noted the futility of the misinformation efforts by the offending organizations and people who are spreading misinformation, pointing out, “You know, these companies and personalities are making money by peddling lies and allowing misinformation that can kill their own customers and their own supporters.”