The internet is a wasteland. Here's how to fix it.
Disinformation on social media is a massive threat to public health, says former Facebook adviser Roger McNamee.
Disinformation
"It was a drug": Capitol riot exposes reach of QAnon disinformation
A recent study showed Facebook users interacted with deceptive posts more than 1 billion times in October, November and December.
Melinda Gates on COVID-19 response and conspiracy theories
To date, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has invested $1.75 billion in the fight against COVID-19.
The internet's effect on baby boomers
Misinformation has spread like wildfire across the internet, and baby boomers are often the ones sharing fake articles meant to misinform and evoke reactions. Bonnie Kristian, a contributing editor for The Week who explored the phenomenon in "Our parents warned us the internet would break our brains. It broke theirs instead," discussed what's driving it with Anne-Marie Green and Vladimir Duthiers on CBSN.
The social media impact of the assault on U.S. Capitol
Social media platforms have played a major role in distributing falsehoods and conspiracy theories that spurred on the Capitol attack. Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie joined CBSN to discuss how tech regulation could tackle the problem of disinformation online.
Disinformation is national security issue says former NSA general counsel
On "Intelligence Matters," Mike Morell talks with Glenn Gerstell about the threat posed by disinformation on social media and how to counter it.
12/15: CBSN AM
U.S. coronavirus death toll surpasses 300,000; how cruise lines funded disinformation campaigns
Impact of "participatory disinformation" on society
President Trump continues to spread baseless claims of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. His supporters -- including hundreds of Republican congressional leaders -- are perpetuating this false narrative. University of Washington associate professor Kate Starbird calls this "participatory disinformation." She joins CBSN's Lana Zak to explain its implications for society.
Facebook & Twitter CEOs testify before Senate
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testified before a Senate committee about their platforms' handling of the 2020 election and their content moderation systems. CBS News tech reporter Dan Patterson joins CBSN's Tanya Rivero with his takeaways from the hearing.
Bob Schieffer reflects on the 2020 election
Former "Face the Nation" moderator and CBS News political contributor Bob Schieffer reflects on the 2020 campaign, fraught with discord and disinformation.
YouTube won't take down video falsely claiming Trump won election
Critics charge that allowing videos with false information could sow doubts about the election and even incite violence.
Tracking disinformation on Election Day
The FBI is investigating reports of robocalls urging voters to stay home on Election Day. Meanwhile, U.S. cybersecurity officials say they have taken actions to help protect against the threat of foreign interference. CNET senior producer Dan Patterson spoke to "Red and Blue" host Elaine Quijano about the disinformation he's tracking as America votes.
Trump campaign website "defaced"
President Trump's campaign website briefly appeared to be hacked Tuesday amid heightened concerns over cybersecurity ahead of the 2020 election. CNET senior producer Dan Patterson joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano with the details.
Conspiracy theories go viral before election
Conspiracy theories have exploded online during the pandemic and in the days leading up to the election, bombarding people with false narratives intended to cause fear and disorder. CNET senior producer Dan Patterson joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano to explain some of the ways people can identify disinformation and protect themselves against its influence.
Free speech and the threat of misinformation
Americans are facing a flood of misinformation across media platforms in the lead-up to the 2020 elections. New York Times magazine staff writer Emily Bazelon joined CBSN to explain why rethinking our interpretation of free speech may help strengthen U.S. democracy, and how the Supreme Court has ruled in cases regarding the First Amendment.
Inside the fight against online misinformation
Since Twitter began to ramp up its efforts to stop the spread of misinformation online, at least eight of President Trump's tweets have been flagged for misleading information. John Cook, a research assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University, joins CBSN to discuss the acronym FLICC (fake experts, logical fallacies, impossible expectations, cherry-picking, conspiracy theories), which communication experts use to identify misinformation and how fighting misinformation benefits all Americans.
Russian disinformation aims to sow vaccine distrust
On Russian state television in September, the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine was described as a "monkey vaccine" and portrayed as downright dangerous. Holly Williams reports.
Trump was warned Giuliani was target of Russian disinformation campaign
Robert O'Brien warned the president of the Russian disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Joe Biden.
Black scholars band together to fight "cultural disinformation"
The NBCIT will use crowdsourcing and webinars to combat online spread of false information targeting Black voters.
Twitter suspends fake accounts claiming to be Black Trump fans
Several dozen "bot" accounts managed to reach more than 250,000 people in a short timespan, a researcher said.
2020 election a "test for democracy"
Disputed claims about mail-in ballots, online disinformation, and comments from President Trump raising doubts about the election are just a few examples creating mistrust in the American electorate. The Boston Globe recently chronicled how these elements are combining to test democracy in the U.S. Liz Goodwin, deputy bureau chief in Washington for the Boston Globe, co-wrote the story and joined CBSN to discuss.
Gen Z may be less susceptible to misinformation
Generation Z may be better at identifying and avoiding misinformation than older generations are, according to new data. Axios political reporter Stef Kight, who looked into those numbers, joined CBSN's Elaine Quijano to discuss.
Trump tweets doctored video of Biden, prompting flag by Twitter
The doctored video retweeted by Mr. Trump has been viewed more than 2.6 million times.
Twitter launches election hub to fight disinformation
The new resource is being released with under 50 days to go before Election Day.
Former FBI agent on Trump's vulnerabilities
Former FBI deputy assistant director Peter Strzok says he and others are aware of classified information that could hurt the 2020 Trump campaign if it became public. Strzok led the FBI's 2016 investigation into Russian election interference before he was ousted. His new book, "Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump" details his time at the FBI and his concerns about what the U.S. currently faces. He joined CBSN to discuss.
House conservatives revolt over GOP-backed spending bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a revolt from fellow Republicans over a last-minute measure to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by 0.25 percentage points
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday moved to lower its benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points. Here's what to know.
House Ethics Committee quietly voted to release Matt Gaetz ethics report
The House Ethics Committee voted to release its report on the investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz on Dec. 5, according to multiple sources.
Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to TikTok ban
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will take up a challenge to a new law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the U.S.
New details of Captagon drug trade exposed with Assad regime's collapse
A CBS News team gained access to a site outside Damascus which holds the precursor chemicals for Captagon, one of the most popular street drugs in the Middle East and beyond.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Failed bill included disaster relief and other key funding measures
The 1,500-page measure would have done much more than prevent a government shutdown.
NASA leader weighs in on Elon Musk, SpaceX and plans for moon rocket
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says he's optimistic the Trump administration will support the space agency's agenda.
U.S.
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Wisconsin shooter was in contact with California man plotting his own attack
A California judge issued a restraining order Tuesday against a 20-year-old man who told FBI agents that he had been messaging with the Wisconsin shooter.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
Why are the Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck in space?
Here's why NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are stuck, but not stranded, at the International Space Station after launching into space in June.
MoneyWatch
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Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
U.S. Mint announces 5 historical women on new quarters for 2025. Here's who.
It's the last year the American Women Quarters Program will put historical female figures on reverse side of coins.
U.S. mulls ban on Chinese-made TP-Link routers over national security concerns
TP-Link routers could be banned in the U.S. over national security concerns, according to a report.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
Fed lowers rates by 0.25 percentage point, but expects fewer cuts
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday moved to lower its benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points, but said it plans fewer cuts in 2025.
Politics
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Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
House conservatives revolt over GOP-backed spending bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a revolt from fellow Republicans over a last-minute measure to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
Paris Hilton's bill to protect minors at residential treatment facilities heads to president's desk
The 43-year-old heiress and actor has testified about her own experience as a teenager at treatment facilities.
U.S. begins to retaliate against China over hack of telecom networks
The Commerce Department's action is a direct response to China's infiltration of telecom networks earlier this year.
HealthWatch
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What are seed oils and do they pose health risks? Here's what to know
Seed oils are making headlines, prompting fears around whether they can have negative effects on your health. Here's what to know.
CDC confirms first severe bird flu case in the U.S.
A person in Louisiana has the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.
Congo says mysterious disease killing dozens of kids finally identified
"The mystery has finally been solved," Congo's health ministry says, after an unidentified disease outbreak started killing mainly women and children in a remote region.
2 sisters, 7 years apart in age, also receive heart transplants 7 years apart
The sisters share a special bond of getting a second chance at life, which they both received at the age of 38 years old.
Trump could target Affordable Care Act, Medicaid for cuts, experts say
Republicans wants to extend 2017 tax cuts that expire next year and could let ACA subsidies lapse to help pay the tab, according to analysts.
World
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New details of Captagon drug trade exposed with Assad regime's collapse
A CBS News team gained access to a site outside Damascus which holds the precursor chemicals for Captagon, one of the most popular street drugs in the Middle East and beyond.
Prominent pro-Putin ballet star Sergei Polunin says he's leaving Russia
Ukrainian-born ballet phenom Sergei Polunin was rewarded for backing Putin's attacks on his native country, but he appears to have fallen from Moscow's graces.
China continuing nuclear buildup, strengthening ties to Russia, Pentagon says
A new Pentagon report says China is continuing to expand its nuclear force and has strengthened its ties with Russia over the past year.
Ancient inscription may rewrite Christianity's history, researchers say
The "Frankfurt Silver Inscription" shows the earliest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps.
U.K. court clears seizure of millions in unpaid taxes from Andrew Tate
A British court has cleared police to seize $3.3 million from misogynist social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother to cover unpaid taxes.
Entertainment
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The Grateful Dead, Kennedy Center honorees, reflect on the band's legacy
Surviving members of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, revisit the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
Ben Schwartz, James Marsden on new "Sonic"
Ben Schwartz and James Marsden join "CBS Mornings" to discuss their roles in the highly anticipated sequel "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Kennedy Center honors Grateful Dead
Dave Matthews, Leon Bridges and Derek Trucks led a star-studded tribute to the Grateful Dead at this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Anthony Mason spoke with the band's three surviving core members about their journey to becoming one of the most influential bands in American history.
Megan Thee Stallion asks for restraining order against Tory Lanez
Tory Lanaz, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet, is harassing her from prison through surrogates, the petition alleges.
How Nikki Glaser is preparing for Golden Globes hosting gig
Comedian Nikki Glaser, known for her honest style, is gearing up to host the 82nd Annual Golden Globes.
Technology
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Technology
Supreme Court agrees to hear case about TikTok ban
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will hear an appeal from TikTok over a federal law that would ban the social media giant if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company. Jan Crawford has more.
Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Supreme Court to decide on future of TikTok
The Supreme Court plans to hear arguments in January on a challenge to a new law that could lead to the popular social media app TikTok being banned in the U.S. The Biden administration and lawmakers say the Chinese government's ability to collect data from TikTok poses a significant national security risk, while the app and its Chinese parent company ByteDance argue that the law is unconstitutional. CBS News Supreme Court producer Catherine Cole has more.
FAA: Lithium battery fires on flights now occur nearly twice a week
FAA data shows that lithium battery fires on U.S. flights have risen 388% since 2015, now occurring nearly twice a week.
Science
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"Murder hornets" eradicated in the U.S., agriculture officials say
Giant hornets, dubbed "murder hornets," have been eradicated in the U.S., five years after the invasive species was first detected in Washington state.
Coal use hitting record in 2024, which is likely hottest year yet, report says
World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency says, in a year all but certain to be the hottest in recorded history.
How climate change impacted 2024
From record-breaking temperatures to devastating disasters, 2024 brought the world closer to the reality of what climate change looks and feels like. CBS News national environmental correspondent David Schechter reports.
Bronze-Age Britons were cannibalized after massacre, research shows
Researchers determined that dozens of men, women and children were violently killed and cannibalized in Bronze Age-era England.
ClimateWatch: Looking back on 2024’s extreme weather
In this episode of “ClimateWatch,” CBS national environmental correspondent David Schechter looks back at the devastating hurricanes, landslides, flooding and more that impacted the U.S. this year.
Crime
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Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mangione expected to waive extradition, lawyer says
Luigi Mangione, the man indicted on murder charges in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to waive extradition back to New York, his lawyer said Wednesday. Mangione is currently in custody in Pennsylvania.
New details emerge about teen shooting suspect
We are learning more about the background of a 15-year-old girl who authorities said opened fire Monday at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing two people and wounding six others. Ian Lee reports from Madison.
Mangione's lawyer on extradition
An attorney for accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione said he plans to waive extradition to New York City this week. CBS News New York reporter Ali Baumen has the latest.
Wisconsin school holds vigil after shooting
The community in Madison, Wisconsin, held a vigil Tuesday night to remember those killed in Monday's shooting at a private Christian school. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more about the suspected shooter.
Space
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Why are the Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck in space?
Here's why NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are stuck, but not stranded, at the International Space Station after launching into space in June.
NASA delayes return date for astronauts
NASA has delayed the return date for Boeing's Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. CBS News' Manuel Bojorquez reports on the decision to keep the two in space.
NASA leader weighs in on Elon Musk, SpaceX and plans for moon rocket
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says he's optimistic the Trump administration will support the space agency's agenda.
Boeing Starliner crew's return delayed again
Two astronauts who have been stuck in space since June will have to wait until at least the end of March to come home after NASA on Wednesday again pushed back their return date. Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer for the Franklin Institute, joined CBS News to discuss what's causing the delays.
Starliner astronauts' return delayed again
Two astronauts who have been stuck aboard the International Space Station for months will have to wait even longer to come home. Their planned returned was delayed once again on Tuesday, pushing their earliest return trip back to late March. Manuel Bojorquez has more.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2024
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The Scott Peterson case: New evidence?
Peterson's death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci has been overturned. Now his supporters are pushing for a complete retrial.
The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
Texas couple investigates teen daughter's unusual death
Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident.
Summer music heats up 2024
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Stopgap funding bill in limbo after GOP opposition
A bipartisan House deal on a short-term funding measure that would avoid a potential shutdown and keep the government operational through March appeared to have been scrapped Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and some hardline Republican lawmakers came out against it. Nikole Killion has details from Capitol Hill.
"CBS Evening News" headlines for Dec. 18, 2024
Here's a look at the top stories making headlines on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell."
Supreme Court agrees to hear case about TikTok ban
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will hear an appeal from TikTok over a federal law that would ban the social media giant if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company. Jan Crawford has more.
Mangione expected to waive extradition, lawyer says
Luigi Mangione, the man indicted on murder charges in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to waive extradition back to New York, his lawyer said Wednesday. Mangione is currently in custody in Pennsylvania.
New details emerge about teen shooting suspect
We are learning more about the background of a 15-year-old girl who authorities said opened fire Monday at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing two people and wounding six others. Ian Lee reports from Madison.