General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA reminder to all DUers reposting content from social media: Check your sources
Given the situation in the Middle East, it's understandable that people want to bring the most up-to-date information they can find to DU. In principle, I'm absolutely not opposed to that. In practice, however, it means that some of the content now being brought to DU is being reposted from sources which are not appropriate for our community.
I am talking about social media sources which traffic in right-wing content, racist content, homophobic content, antisemitic content, and conspiracy content, including anti-vax conspiracy theories. Or, more often than not, all of the above.
I will note that DU's "Don't peddle right-wing talking points, smears, or sources" rule does carve out an exception for such sources:
Note that if you want to use a source which would typically be considered inappropriate for DU, you need to to give a clear reason for why you're doing it. If the purpose is to point out that MAGA media is turning against Trump, or if you want to highlight the awfulness of a particular X post by some right-wing public figure, then you need to give a clear explanation that that is your intent.
But simply reposting content from neo-Nazi or other extremist social media accounts, just because they've criticized Trump or other Republicans, or because they've posted an update about the war with Iran, does NOT count under the rule exception.
As you know, DU relies on the community to police itself via the Jury system. Of course, not all members serving on Juries are aware of whether certain X accounts are inappropriate, and people are often not likely to bother to check. This can make it easy for inappropriate sources to slip through. If Jury members see a post bashing Trump or Republicans, they are probably likely to think it's okay, and will be unlikely to click through to the X account only to find that it is selling white supremacist T-shirts.
So:
1) To DU members who are reposting content from social media: Please check your sources before posting to make sure that the source is appropriate for DU.
2) To DU members who are serving on Juries for the "Don't peddle right-wing talking points, smears, or sources" rule: Please don't just assume that a social media source is okay if it is bashing Trump -- actually check the source to make sure that it is appropriate for DU. If you do not wish to click through to a social media site to check the source, it is perfectly okay to cancel out of the Jury and let someone else take a look.
Thanks for reading, and for being part of the effort to keep DU clear of bigoted sources and content.
UpInArms
(54,829 posts)That was very helpful
demmiblue
(39,637 posts)Also, stop recommending /highlighting X content. That would be a good start (imo, of course).
obamanut2012
(29,324 posts)SCreencaps, okay, but no links.
CaptainTruth
(8,170 posts)I imagine others here feel the same.
demmiblue
(39,637 posts)That seems to help quite a bit.
hunter
(40,636 posts)Overall I find media like the-site-formerly-known-as-twitter useless as news sources.
If some "Breaking News!!!" does not require my immediate action I can read about it later in my favorite newspapers after the dust has settled and there's a clearer view of the situation.
If some "Breaking News!!!" does require my immediate attention then someone will probably call me, bang on my door, or else I'll be in the midst of it.
Being among "the first to know" about situations we can't personally and immediately do anything about only aggravates feelings of helplessness.
Democratic Underground is my only "social media" and even this place can be too much at times.
niyad
(131,849 posts)leftstreet
(40,258 posts)It's where everyone finds mainstream and citizen news sources, breaking headlines, statements from elected politicians, etc
It's greatest selling point is Trump no longer posts there! He used to suck the oxygen out of the room, but now I think he just posts on his made-up Truth Social
demmiblue
(39,637 posts)I can find all of that on Bluesky. In fact, several of the accounts I follow are leaving/have left X.
This is exactly right. The Onion quietly left Twitter a month ago and... our weekly subscribers went up. It's because we're doing well here, on Instagram and on YouTube.
— Tim Onion (@bencollins.bsky.social) 2026-02-23T01:51:27.338Z
As a business, being on Twitter is somewhere between useless or detrimental, unless you're selling boner pills.
leftstreet
(40,258 posts)jmbar2
(7,950 posts)Great posts this morning from a journalist that translates Russian news, Dave Troy, Anne Applebaum, Texas breaking election news, earthquake/tsunami alerts, Aaron Rupar, Ukrainian civilian posts, my two Senators' alerts, court verdicts, etc.
LeftInTX
(34,155 posts)Many members of the media, simply post on twitter because it's a pain to post on numerous platforms. (Even if they have a Blue Sky account)
ShazzieB
(22,499 posts)"[X is] where everyone finds mainstream and citizen news sources, breaking headlines, statements from elected politicians, etc."
No, it is not where "everyone" goes to find this material. I understand that many got in the habit of using X for that back when it was still Twitter, but some of us never did, and others swore off using that platform after Eloon took over. To say that is where "everyone" gets news, etc., is simply not accurate.
LeftInTX
(34,155 posts)Then went to twitter.
It had the most up-to-date.
That's because it takes a while to write articles. Journalists would prefer to tweet.
Nittersing
(8,315 posts)I think "reliable news sources" is gonna get trickier and trickier.
My thanks to everyone for cross-checking!!
murielm99
(32,936 posts)excluded here. They are no better than Fox. There are other ways to post the news.
jfz9580m
(16,985 posts)I went on DemocracyNow! just now and found this.
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/11/amy_littlefield_abortion_killers_roe_nation
I am careful posting from leftwing sites that do attack the Democratic party a lot (though sometimes those are the places where a lot of independent lefty thought persists away from electoral politics). They can be a little ossified in how they present content I largely agree with though (The Nation, DNow! etc).
But the left is one part electoral politics and there I agree that left wing sites can be impractical.
But on left wing thought separate from elections, I find newer lefty sites like Current Affairs very useful and less hidebound in examining reality than the msm.
Kali
(56,809 posts)some content is maybe not perfect for here but the in depth work on subjects/issues that get little to no coverage anywhere else is important.
questionseverything
(11,755 posts)LeftInTX
(34,155 posts)They support third party candidates.
questionseverything
(11,755 posts)A news station shouldnt support any candidate
LeftInTX
(34,155 posts)It's just a biased as the Young Turks.
They supported Jill Stein and Cornel West. They also support Ralph Nadar. Nadar is a contributor who claimed the "Democratic Party is dead" after the 2024 election.
"This Is a Collapse of the Democratic Party": Ralph Nader on Roots of Trump's Win Over Harris
"Sabotaged by His Own Democratic Party": Ralph Nader on Jimmy Carter's Legacy
AZProgressive
(29,908 posts)The Young Turks is more of a propaganda channel where they spout uninformed opinions on topics they know little about especially when it comes to homeless or transgender issues. Democracy Now is very different from that and more like a real news channel. They may interview guests that DU doesn't like but for the most part their coverage is excellent and they cover important topics that the mainstream media overlooks.
LeftInTX
(34,155 posts)And they brought on the people that threw paint all over Nancy Pelosi's house as guests.
They very clearly had an agenda and it was not to get Biden or Harris elected.
They're like the Party for Socialism and Liberation. They act like they are doing good by opposing Trump, but their goal is is to lure voters away from the Democratic Party and join their party instead.
greatauntoftriplets
(178,883 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(15,950 posts)GusBob
(8,231 posts)and I will be a butthead, I apologize
I know you have addressed this before,,, but again,,, what about fake war news (aka propaganda) from liberal leaning sources?
It has been said "the first casualty of war is the truth" I think as a newsgroup, truth should be preserved
niyad
(131,849 posts)stopdiggin
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The poster has a completely legitimate point.
However - for the purposes of this this thread it shall be noted that DU has specific rules against right wing sources and agenda - while the same is not true for simple misinformation and trash posting. And, in any case - it's kind of up to the community to some extent to ride herd ...
niyad
(131,849 posts)statement? Got it. Thanks. I wanted to see what I might have missed, since one cannot possibly keep up with everything out there.
stopdiggin
(15,358 posts)within back and forth discussion.
If I (or another poster) am not willing to go do 30 minutes of research finding 'examples' and 'exhibits' (to satisfy your demands for 'documentation' ) - then of course the point I make is construed to be illegitimate or without foundation. Screw that! I am not your dogsbody - or your research assistant! Find your own 'examples'! Meanwhile - my statement and opinion stands on its own merit. Just like yours!
Point being - like I said - often employed as a cheap tactic ...
niyad
(131,849 posts)you could not possibly be expected to take the time to do, despite having accused me of such, at least by implication. Duly noted. remdi95.
stopdiggin
(15,358 posts)Ummm. Not even remotely?
And - it appears like we get further off into the weeds with each post.
I think we quit - while the quitting is still good.
You have a nice one ....
W_HAMILTON
(10,303 posts)...one could deduce that it is neither rampant nor serious enough to worry about.
stopdiggin
(15,358 posts)or in any that I responded with thereafter.
And, no - it is neither my job, nor incumbent upon me, to 'corroborate' or 'document' my opinion. If you feel like doing that grunt work ... Have at it!
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niyad
(131,849 posts)statement? Got it. Thanks. I wanted to see what I might have missed, since one cannot possibly keep up with everything out there.
From this week actually, I dont wanna "call out" a poster, thats not my vibe. The inaccuracies were pointed about by diligent DUers in the meat of the thread, but nobody seems to read thru the posts like we do.
I am uncertain, in general, if some of the war reporting is accurate from either side. Perhaps you would agree that one must be circumspect in anything one reads online, anywhere. Back in the heady days of DU verification was requested for claims "Got a link for that?" Remember ? Now with click bait stuff, the very links can be bogus
EarlG has address this topic and I am dead-horsing a pet peeve, I apologize
niyad
(131,849 posts)necesary, endless onslaught of news and horror. For our sanity, we do have to take breaks occasionally.
wolfie001
(7,558 posts)Nut-&-Yahoo is threatening anyone posting damage to Israel with 5-year sentences. You know, factual on-the-ground info.
niyad
(131,849 posts)seems to get shorter by the day.
orangecrush
(29,971 posts)
MiHale
(12,925 posts)Interesting idea above that screen capture of the X post
womanofthehills
(10,942 posts)If photo is real or if what is said has been reported by any reputable source. Very helpful.
My Rep, Melanie Stanbery (NM) is super active on X and so are many others who represent us. Also, on X, besides following Dems, I like to follow the Republicans who hate Trump and the Independents who hate Trump. Wow - Independents like popular Dave Smith & Clint Russell are really going after Trump and his war mongering. They have huge Independent followers. So now in the Republican Civil War - there is MTG, Tucker, Alex Jones, Massie, Rand Paul, Candace Owens etc. - Republicans against wars and Trumps policies who most claim their lives have been threatened - one even said by Netanyahu himself and Candace said Turning Points told her it was supposed to be you when Charlie Kirk was killed. The Republicans seem to be into threatening each other big time.
dickthegrouch
(4,480 posts)I have some sites blocked by firewall rules and others rendered useless by local resolution to 127.0.0.1 so Im not going there to check.
I think DU could institute a different colored square for posts that include a link to known rightwing sites.
Kali
(56,809 posts)it would be the actual source on x, for example, not just anything from x
womanofthehills
(10,942 posts)Like is far left ok to post? I wanted to post something by Max Blumenthal today - he posts in NYTs , The Nation, Alternet, Media Matters etc but some call him kooky because he is very far left. So, when I repeat a post of his from X, not a newspaper or site, I have a good chance of being reported.
Deciding to post a story is not always black and white. If I post from an Independent Dem who happens to have a different take on a vaccine- but good take on politics my post can get deleted because all this Dems views dont 100% align with someone elses views.
Its complex to say the least.
Kali
(56,809 posts)the community decides. make a good case for why you are posting and it should be fine.
Alice Kramden
(2,933 posts)Bookmarked
BlueKota
(5,274 posts)I quit X when Muskrat took over. I still see a lot of posts, however, around various social media sites saying this politician humiliated this other politician on such and such a t.v. program or podcast. I reasoned, however, if there was no video or audio, of said interaction, it is most likely a fabrication. Most times it turns out neither of the named politicians were even guests on the shows, the nights these incidents were supposed to have taken place.
I also Google to see, if any other sources are listed that backup the claims. Also a lot of times I come here to see whether something has been proven true or false.
True Dough
(26,428 posts)This is definitely by design from the likes of Trump and Putin, who want the masses to believe that they are the only purveyors of truth when, in actuality, both are hateful, self-serving liars.
BlueKota
(5,274 posts)EarlG
(23,588 posts)this is not about truth or lies or fact checking. That is a separate issue which I've addressed many times before. (In a nutshell, this is the Internet, and people should always be cautious about what they read and share, and the best way to counter factually incorrect information on DU is to do so publicly by responding to that information.)
In this case, however, I'm specifically talking about folks bringing content to DU from sources which are clearly inappropriate -- social media influencers who typically traffic in highly bigoted content, but from time to time happen to post something that DUers are in agreement with (for example, criticizing Trump), which then gets reposted on DU. Those influencers should not be platformed on DU.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,655 posts)So if Candice Owens makes a video, on her podcast, criticizing Trump, which she has lately, we can't post that?
The reason for posting such content might be to show how Trump World is cracking, not to endorse her specifically.
Or we can write a statement with the post explaining our reason? And then post it?
EarlG
(23,588 posts)Context is important. If you want to post something from Candace Owens to show how MAGA is fracturing, and you explain clearly that thats what youre doing, I dont see a problem with it. But if youre posting a random video from X for example, footage from Iran, and the source youre posting from is some random extremist bigot, then that is questionable.
womanofthehills
(10,942 posts)To see if any reputable source posted info. and where photo is actually from. So many photos of explosions and many are just using generic explosion photos.
SSJVegeta
(2,770 posts)"Dont believe everything you see on the internet."
-Abraham Lincoln
Wounded Bear
(64,198 posts)PunkinPi
(5,267 posts)Peacetrain
(24,288 posts)Always best to double check sources before posting, good advice and a good reminder ..
sueh
(1,952 posts)Marthe48
(23,046 posts)Please keep politics out of the Lounge. I don't alert on political posts in the Lounge, but I trash them.
Thank you.
lindysalsagal
(22,894 posts)2naSalit
(102,149 posts)We needed that!
FakeNoose
(41,284 posts)However it's the responsibility of the DU posters, not the DU readers, to make the determination.
I completely agree with this definition, and I will never click on a right-wing source if I can avoid it.
The only exception for me is that I will occasionally post a "screenshot" of another person's post that includes a live-linked tweet from Xwitter, if I believe it is of interest to other DUers. By creating a screenshot, I give one click to Xwitter, but once the screenshot is made I can post it on DU for others to see, and thus deny the extra clicks to Xwitter. This is far better than leaving the live tweet for everyone to click on. I hope other DUers will follow this and provide images as screenshots rather than as live-linked tweets.
womanofthehills
(10,942 posts)A poster might not like what was said by a reputable source and mark it as coming from conservative media. Ive had posts from Politico (left leaning) marked as conservative media and jury agreed???? Also, posts from Health & Human Services reported as kooky????? We have to make sure juries dont judge just by their views on content to determine whats a legitimate source.
FakeNoose
(41,284 posts)I do understand your point, and I try to identify the source within my post. If it should ever be alerted, the jury needs to see this and hopefully they will have a better understanding. (The link you provide in your post isn't normally provided to the jury.)
I've been on a lot of juries lately, and it seems more often the replies are alerted rather than the original post.
LudwigPastorius
(14,598 posts)JudyM
(29,785 posts)usonian
(24,847 posts)Hacker News marks all posts linking to 404Media as "auto-dead"
A real tribute to that site.
muriel_volestrangler
(106,073 posts)My personal feeling is that Y Combinator, with its (historic?) links to Sequoia Capital, is the more dubious, while 404 Media, with an EFF Award, is the one to support. But perhaps you have different information on the two.
.
Torchlight
(6,735 posts)a verification and a summary are provided.
It seems to work... more often than not, those with these qualifiers result in much more steadied and measured discussions, while those lacking it are often little more than a small pond filled with sealion chum and troll's bait.
Skittles
(171,229 posts)yes indeed
Cha
(318,610 posts)B.See
(8,301 posts)Seems to me the safe bet is to avoid rw sources, though personally I've often felt uncomfortable with titles of posts written in a way that seem to bash Democrats, even when from left wing sources, especially when there's not much by way of rebuttal.