| Friend,
You’ve likely seen posts on social media and heard people on TV — even on the presidential-debate stage — spreading xenophobic conspiracy theories about the Haitian immigrant community of Springfield, Ohio. These entirely baseless accusations1 are designed to shock and terrify you.
In the week since these racist conspiracy theories gained traction,2Springfield’s public buildings have faced repeated bomb threats, leading to school evacuations, hospital lockdowns and targeted violence.3Unchecked lies and unfettered bigotry from the mouth of Ohio’s own junior senator are having real-world consequences, with Haitian families waking up to smashed windows and keeping their children at home for their safety.4
Make no mistake: Hateful political figures are stoking anti-immigrant sentiments for political and economic gain — and the mainstream media are profiting off the proliferation of these dangerous lies. Scapegoating immigrants is a tried-and-true tactic of history’s most violent authoritarian movements.
Sign our petition calling on news outlets to condemn racist conspiracy theories and confront the rise of fascism in the United States.
This anti-immigrant scapegoating is part of a broader scheme: Far-right ideologues are pushing a white nationalist lie5 about the prevalence of “noncitizen voting” to sow distrust in our elections and divide the public. These lies are meant to stir up suspicion about all people of color. That fear is a tool of voter suppression.
And that’s exactly where a healthy media system could and should stop the spread of these racist conspiracy theories: Journalists can identify manipulated content and place stories in their true context.
We need swift action: Our communities and our democracy hang in the balance.
To make matters worse, several news outlets are amplifying lies instead of upholding their journalistic duty to call them out: Fox News is running wall-to-wall fear-mongering about noncitizen voting6 while The New York Post pushed national headlines about a traffic accident that happened to involve a Haitian driver.7Media coverage should encourage participation in the democratic process and be a watchdog for the people — not a mouthpiece for hate.
Sign our petition calling on media executives to commit to reporting on threats to our democracy. Thank you for acting with us,
Jessica J. González
Co-CEO
Free Press and Free Press Action
P.S. If you’re not sure what to do when you see content that appears misleading, Free Press has a guide available to help!
1. “'It Just Exploded': Springfield Woman Claims She Never Meant to Spark False Rumors About Haitians,” NBC News, Sept. 13, 2024
2. “J.D. Vance Posts Baseless Claim That Haitian Immigrants Are Eating Pets in Ohio as Officials Say It's Not True,” People, Sept. 9, 2024
3. “‘People Are Afraid’: Haitians in U.S. Face Hate, Threats as Trump and Vance Spread Racist Lies,” Democracy Now!, Sept. 16, 2024
4. “Haitian Families in Ohio Under Attack as Racist Claims Spread,” The Haitian Times, Sept. 11, 2024
5. “What Is ‘Great Replacement Theory’ and How Does it Fuel Racist Violence?” PBS, May 16, 2022
6. “Fox News Raises False Alarm About Noncitizen Voting,” Media Matters for America, Sept. 16, 2024
7. “Post Witnesses Haitian Motorist Making Illegal Turn in Springfield, Ohio, Smashes Into Mom Driving With Autistic Daughter,” The New York Post, Sept. 13, 2024  |
