New wave of Jan. 6 conspiracy theories – Axios

Conspiracy theories about the U.S. Capitol insurrection continue to flood private messaging groups, social networks and even major news outlets one year later.

Why it matters: The lasting echo chamber of misinformation shows the long-term impact the event will have on future elections.

The big picture: The Capitol siege was a central part of the right-wing narrative around the "Big Lie" the collection of falsehoods alleging the 2020 election was stolen through voting fraud. The "Big Lie"is now being used to rally conservatives ahead of the 2022 midterms.

Driving the news:Although many individuals and groups werekicked off mainstream platformsin the wake of the Capitol siege which Holt says helped prevent any major follow-up events right-wing extremists have found plenty of alternative options for convening online.

How it works: Bad actors and conspiracy theorists seed falsehoods on private messaging apps or conservative social apps. That misinformation is tested and iterated before making it to bigger web platforms.

Be smart: Far-right and conspiratorial positions are increasingly being wedged into "culture war" debates, often echoed by Fox News, other conservative outlets and members of Congress which pushes them into the mainstream.

The bottom line: Theres such division within this country politically and ideologically that people do not want to consume information that does not come from their life and their worldview, said Rachel Moran, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washingtons Information School.

Read the original:

New wave of Jan. 6 conspiracy theories - Axios