February 06, 2024
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Did Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s campaign make up dozens of false news stories?
On February 5, 2024, the Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article with the headline, "Did Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s campaign make up dozens of false news stories?"
The article discusses the controversy surrounding Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, who campaigned as a reformer but has faced significant challenges during her first term, including lawsuits and issues with the tax-sale system. Bilal's campaign website claimed she received positive coverage from various news outlets, but the articles couldn't be found, leading to suspicions that the headlines were fabricated. Media experts, including Matt Jordan, director of Penn State's News Literacy Initiative criticized this tactic, warned that it could further erode public trust in both officials and the media, especially amid concerns about AI-generated misinformation.
The full article is available to subscribers on the Philadelphia Inquirer's website: