>We show how the Pizzagate framework relies on the conspiracy theorists’ interpretation of “hidden knowledge” to link otherwise unlinked domains of human interaction, and hypothesize that this multi-domain focus is an important feature of conspiracy theories. We contrast this to the single domain focus of an actual conspiracy. While Pizzagate relies on the alignment of multiple domains, Bridgegate remains firmly rooted in the single domain of New Jersey politics
This study is interesting work to be sure, but the cause behind their hypothesis might be rooted in how journalism works, rather than whether it's truthful/factual or not.
Papers have a NJ politics "beat", with an editor and reporters who are experts in that single domain and are expected to produce work rooted in that specific domain.
Or worse, the "single domain" in some instances might be appearing because it was a story fed to the paper by a three-letter agency.
Citizen journalists (or whatever less charitable term you want to use) don't really have that. They can focus on whatever they want, and it's much easier to build a narrative that spans multiple domains.
“ Papers have a NJ politics "beat", with an editor and reporters who are experts in that single domain and are expected to produce work rooted in that specific domain.”
I suspect that this is increasingly less true every year as local reporting is actively dying.
> “ Papers have a NJ politics "beat", with an editor and reporters who are experts in that single domain and are expected to produce work rooted in that specific domain.”
> I suspect that this is increasingly less true every year as local reporting is actively dying.
This isn't a new concern, of course[0], but in 2021 local reporting has probably already mostly died as much as it is going to. There just isn't that much money left to take away.
This study is interesting work to be sure, but the cause behind their hypothesis might be rooted in how journalism works, rather than whether it's truthful/factual or not.
Papers have a NJ politics "beat", with an editor and reporters who are experts in that single domain and are expected to produce work rooted in that specific domain.
Or worse, the "single domain" in some instances might be appearing because it was a story fed to the paper by a three-letter agency.
Citizen journalists (or whatever less charitable term you want to use) don't really have that. They can focus on whatever they want, and it's much easier to build a narrative that spans multiple domains.
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