Stephen McDermott
@stemcdermott.bsky.social
Editor of The Journal FactCheck | Journalist with @thejournal.ie | Royal Canal local living in Grand Canal exile
Dublin, Ireland.
Email: Stephen.mcdermott@thejournal.ie
Dublin, Ireland.
Email: Stephen.mcdermott@thejournal.ie
Interesting to see that DeepSeek also self-censors when you ask it relatively straightforward questions about Ireland on subjects it doesn't like...
January 28, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Interesting to see that DeepSeek also self-censors when you ask it relatively straightforward questions about Ireland on subjects it doesn't like...
Heads up if you're looking for #StormÉowyn updates here today that Met Éireann say the account posting as @meteireann.bsky.social is fake.
January 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Heads up if you're looking for #StormÉowyn updates here today that Met Éireann say the account posting as @meteireann.bsky.social is fake.
Ads for deepfake ‘nudify’ apps have started to pop up in the feeds of Irish Facebook users in the past few weeks.
The apps allow users to create non-consensual nude images by letting users upload photos to "erase" women's clothing using AI.
The apps allow users to create non-consensual nude images by letting users upload photos to "erase" women's clothing using AI.
'Deep concerns' over AI 'undress' apps being advertised on Irish social media
So-called ‘nudify’ apps allow users to create deepfake naked images of any woman.
jrnl.ie
January 12, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Ads for deepfake ‘nudify’ apps have started to pop up in the feeds of Irish Facebook users in the past few weeks.
The apps allow users to create non-consensual nude images by letting users upload photos to "erase" women's clothing using AI.
The apps allow users to create non-consensual nude images by letting users upload photos to "erase" women's clothing using AI.
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
"Several fact-checkers over the years have suggested to Meta how it could improve this labeling to be less intrusive and avoid even the appearance of censorship, but Meta never acted on those suggestions." -- @factchecknet.bsky.social
www.poynter.org/ifcn/2025/an...
www.poynter.org/ifcn/2025/an...
An open letter to Mark Zuckerberg from the world’s fact-checkers, nine years later - Poynter
From person-to-person coaching and intensive hands-on seminars to interactive online courses and media reporting, Poynter helps journalists sharpen skills and elevate storytelling throughout their car...
www.poynter.org
January 10, 2025 at 11:56 AM
"Several fact-checkers over the years have suggested to Meta how it could improve this labeling to be less intrusive and avoid even the appearance of censorship, but Meta never acted on those suggestions." -- @factchecknet.bsky.social
www.poynter.org/ifcn/2025/an...
www.poynter.org/ifcn/2025/an...
"There is irony in Zuckerberg branding US fact-checkers as being “just too politically biased” in a statement that, in both timing and explicit alignment, hints strongly at political expediency."
@susandaly.bsky.social
@factcheck.thejournal.ie
@susandaly.bsky.social
@factcheck.thejournal.ie
The truth about Meta’s broadside against fact-checkers
Journal Media Managing Editor Susan Daly says that platforms, not fact-checkers, are the ones with the power to control what you see.
jrnl.ie
January 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"There is irony in Zuckerberg branding US fact-checkers as being “just too politically biased” in a statement that, in both timing and explicit alignment, hints strongly at political expediency."
@susandaly.bsky.social
@factcheck.thejournal.ie
@susandaly.bsky.social
@factcheck.thejournal.ie
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
The US government has branded Dublin's 2023 riots as "white identity terrorism", carried out by Irish white supremacists and ultranationalists. Report by our journalist @trishdevlin.bsky.social
http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-riots-white-identity-terrorism-6589040-Jan2025/
http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-riots-white-identity-terrorism-6589040-Jan2025/
US government brands Dublin riots as terrorism by Irish white supremacists
New report monitoring global terror incidents lists Ireland as one of six countries targeted by white supremacists.
www.thejournal.ie
January 10, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The US government has branded Dublin's 2023 riots as "white identity terrorism", carried out by Irish white supremacists and ultranationalists. Report by our journalist @trishdevlin.bsky.social
http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-riots-white-identity-terrorism-6589040-Jan2025/
http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-riots-white-identity-terrorism-6589040-Jan2025/
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
The evacuation of Connolly Station in Dublin yesterday immediately led to a spate of false claims and unfounded speculation online about what had happened.
Some social media users suggested it had something to do with foreign nationals or asylum seekers.
www.thejournal.ie/debunked-fac...
Some social media users suggested it had something to do with foreign nationals or asylum seekers.
www.thejournal.ie/debunked-fac...
Debunked: Man arrested at Connolly Station was Irish and not a foreign national
A video of gardaí searching people at the train station was shared on a number of social media platforms.
www.thejournal.ie
January 9, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The evacuation of Connolly Station in Dublin yesterday immediately led to a spate of false claims and unfounded speculation online about what had happened.
Some social media users suggested it had something to do with foreign nationals or asylum seekers.
www.thejournal.ie/debunked-fac...
Some social media users suggested it had something to do with foreign nationals or asylum seekers.
www.thejournal.ie/debunked-fac...
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
Join @gavreilly.com tonight at 10pm:
- Dangerous cold snap
- Will next gov abandon green agenda?
- Meta scraps fact checking
Timmy Dooley TD, FF
Minister Malcolm Noonan
Francie Gorman, IFA President
Prof John Sweeney, Climatologist
Sarah McGuinness, Irish Daily Mail
+ @stemcdermott.bsky.social
- Dangerous cold snap
- Will next gov abandon green agenda?
- Meta scraps fact checking
Timmy Dooley TD, FF
Minister Malcolm Noonan
Francie Gorman, IFA President
Prof John Sweeney, Climatologist
Sarah McGuinness, Irish Daily Mail
+ @stemcdermott.bsky.social
January 7, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Join @gavreilly.com tonight at 10pm:
- Dangerous cold snap
- Will next gov abandon green agenda?
- Meta scraps fact checking
Timmy Dooley TD, FF
Minister Malcolm Noonan
Francie Gorman, IFA President
Prof John Sweeney, Climatologist
Sarah McGuinness, Irish Daily Mail
+ @stemcdermott.bsky.social
- Dangerous cold snap
- Will next gov abandon green agenda?
- Meta scraps fact checking
Timmy Dooley TD, FF
Minister Malcolm Noonan
Francie Gorman, IFA President
Prof John Sweeney, Climatologist
Sarah McGuinness, Irish Daily Mail
+ @stemcdermott.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
🚨In Nature🚨
Meta is dropping fact-checking to avoid anti-conservative bias- but is there actually evidence of bias?
We this test empirically & find that conservatives
* ARE suspended more
* BUT share more misinfo
So suspension isn't necessarily evidence of bias www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Meta is dropping fact-checking to avoid anti-conservative bias- but is there actually evidence of bias?
We this test empirically & find that conservatives
* ARE suspended more
* BUT share more misinfo
So suspension isn't necessarily evidence of bias www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Differences in misinformation sharing can lead to politically asymmetric sanctions - Nature
We find that conservatives tend to share more low-quality news through social media than liberals, and so even if technology companies enact politically neutral anti-misinformation policies, political...
www.nature.com
January 7, 2025 at 2:11 PM
🚨In Nature🚨
Meta is dropping fact-checking to avoid anti-conservative bias- but is there actually evidence of bias?
We this test empirically & find that conservatives
* ARE suspended more
* BUT share more misinfo
So suspension isn't necessarily evidence of bias www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Meta is dropping fact-checking to avoid anti-conservative bias- but is there actually evidence of bias?
We this test empirically & find that conservatives
* ARE suspended more
* BUT share more misinfo
So suspension isn't necessarily evidence of bias www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Meta has announced that it's ending its third-party fact-checking programme in the US and replacing it with Community Notes (as are seen on X).
It means third parties - like @factcheck.thejournal.ie - will no longer be able to flag misinfo on Facebook, Instagram or Threads in the US.
It means third parties - like @factcheck.thejournal.ie - will no longer be able to flag misinfo on Facebook, Instagram or Threads in the US.
More Speech and Fewer Mistakes | Meta
We're ending our third party fact-checking program and moving to a Community Notes model.
about.fb.com
January 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Meta has announced that it's ending its third-party fact-checking programme in the US and replacing it with Community Notes (as are seen on X).
It means third parties - like @factcheck.thejournal.ie - will no longer be able to flag misinfo on Facebook, Instagram or Threads in the US.
It means third parties - like @factcheck.thejournal.ie - will no longer be able to flag misinfo on Facebook, Instagram or Threads in the US.
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
Ireland's decision to intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and Israel’s subsequent decision to close its embassy in Dublin have been surrounded by false claims about the Irish government’s position on the war in Gaza.
www.thejournal.ie/israel-claim...
www.thejournal.ie/israel-claim...
FactCheck: False claims about Ireland's position on Gaza ramp up after embassy closure
Many false claims have come from social media users but they have also come from official Israeli sources.
www.thejournal.ie
December 19, 2024 at 10:22 AM
Ireland's decision to intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and Israel’s subsequent decision to close its embassy in Dublin have been surrounded by false claims about the Irish government’s position on the war in Gaza.
www.thejournal.ie/israel-claim...
www.thejournal.ie/israel-claim...
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
See the incentives at play here in the influencer economy … a great communicator with a tight focus sees the YouTube data … moves into the “secret knowledge” that trigger the dark sides of our brains … monthly views have increased from nine million to 15 million. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Steven Bartlett sharing harmful health misinformation on Diary of CEO podcast
Disproven health claims are accepted with little challenge by host on number one podcast, BBC investigation finds.
www.bbc.com
December 13, 2024 at 9:54 AM
See the incentives at play here in the influencer economy … a great communicator with a tight focus sees the YouTube data … moves into the “secret knowledge” that trigger the dark sides of our brains … monthly views have increased from nine million to 15 million. www.bbc.com/news/article...
More bad news in the courts for Ireland's far-right election candidates yesterday.
Kim McMenamin of The Irish People lost a defamation case against Peter Casey: jrnl.ie/6569277
And Paul Fitzsimons of the Irish Freedom Party was accused of knife possession and threatening a Garda: jrnl.ie/6569547
December 12, 2024 at 9:02 AM
More bad news in the courts for Ireland's far-right election candidates yesterday.
Kim McMenamin of The Irish People lost a defamation case against Peter Casey: jrnl.ie/6569277
And Paul Fitzsimons of the Irish Freedom Party was accused of knife possession and threatening a Garda: jrnl.ie/6569547
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
Brilliant new investigation from @trishdevlin.bsky.social on coastal erosion putting many homes at risk of falling into the sea.
The number of homes at risk of falling into sea has risen by 173% since 2017, an internal government climate report obtained by our team has revealed.
http://www.thejournal.ie/investigates-coastal-erosion-6547689-Dec2024/
http://www.thejournal.ie/investigates-coastal-erosion-6547689-Dec2024/
Number of homes at risk of falling into sea rises by 173% in five years
Internal government document warns coastal erosion has severely escalated on Ireland’s coasts since 2017, The Journal Investigates can reveal.
www.thejournal.ie
December 11, 2024 at 9:38 AM
Brilliant new investigation from @trishdevlin.bsky.social on coastal erosion putting many homes at risk of falling into the sea.
Kerry far-right election candidate and personality Michelle Keane was jailed yesterday for contempt of court over social media posts (which usual suspects are comparing to Enoch Burke's case).
Understanding is that she has already appared back in court to purge her contempt this morning.
Understanding is that she has already appared back in court to purge her contempt this morning.
Election candidate Michelle Keane jailed for contempt of court | | RadioKerry.ie
The injunction also ordered Michelle Keane and any other party acting in concert with her from making future statements about Sgt Walsh online
www.radiokerry.ie
December 11, 2024 at 11:15 AM
Kerry far-right election candidate and personality Michelle Keane was jailed yesterday for contempt of court over social media posts (which usual suspects are comparing to Enoch Burke's case).
Understanding is that she has already appared back in court to purge her contempt this morning.
Understanding is that she has already appared back in court to purge her contempt this morning.
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
There appear to already be a lot of fake Instagram accounts posing as Luigi Mangione, the man arrested in Pennsylvania today over the killing last week of the United Healthcare CEO in New York.
December 9, 2024 at 10:10 PM
There appear to already be a lot of fake Instagram accounts posing as Luigi Mangione, the man arrested in Pennsylvania today over the killing last week of the United Healthcare CEO in New York.
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
Amid scenes of prisoners being freed in Syria, incl. from the "human slaughterhouse" at Sednaya, read Anne Barnard's investigation based on the Caesar files exposing systematic torture and extra-judicial executions by the Assad regime.
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/w...
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/w...
Inside Syria’s Secret Torture Prisons: How Bashar al-Assad Crushed Dissent (Gift Article)
Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been locked away in filthy prisons where thousands were tortured to death — and the pace of arrests and executions is accelerating.
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2024 at 6:39 PM
Amid scenes of prisoners being freed in Syria, incl. from the "human slaughterhouse" at Sednaya, read Anne Barnard's investigation based on the Caesar files exposing systematic torture and extra-judicial executions by the Assad regime.
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/w...
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/w...
In 2020, no far-right candidate in Ireland won more than 2% of first preference votes in an election; this time around, the figure had risen to 20.
This week's (final) FactCheck election newsletter looks at why Ireland's far-right failed - but failed better - in #GE24.
This week's (final) FactCheck election newsletter looks at why Ireland's far-right failed - but failed better - in #GE24.
Ireland's far-right failed in the general election, but despite the setback, the movement still managed to show signs of growth.
In the final edition of our #GE24 newsletter, we look at why far-right candidates did so badly - and why the movement isn't going anywhere yet.
In the final edition of our #GE24 newsletter, we look at why far-right candidates did so badly - and why the movement isn't going anywhere yet.
The far-right failed in the general election - but reports of their death have been exaggerated
Ireland’s far-right candidates grew their vote share compared to 2020.
jrnl.ie
December 5, 2024 at 11:20 AM
In 2020, no far-right candidate in Ireland won more than 2% of first preference votes in an election; this time around, the figure had risen to 20.
This week's (final) FactCheck election newsletter looks at why Ireland's far-right failed - but failed better - in #GE24.
This week's (final) FactCheck election newsletter looks at why Ireland's far-right failed - but failed better - in #GE24.
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
The annual Bohs effort to get a toy to every child in direct provision in Ireland is a wonderful thing.
Donations and info here: gofund.me/ee17f8fe
Donations and info here: gofund.me/ee17f8fe
Donate to Direct Provision Christmas Toy Drive 2024, organized by Dan Lambert
WE NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN THIS YEAR!
In a year that's shown the worst of human… Dan Lambert needs your support for Direct Provision Christmas Toy Drive 2024
gofund.me
December 4, 2024 at 11:45 AM
The annual Bohs effort to get a toy to every child in direct provision in Ireland is a wonderful thing.
Donations and info here: gofund.me/ee17f8fe
Donations and info here: gofund.me/ee17f8fe
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
Conspiracy theories that the general election result was rigged or manipulated are being spread by far-right candidates who failed to gain seats in the 34th Dáil.
It follows similar claims of vote-rigging during and after the local and European elections in June.
It follows similar claims of vote-rigging during and after the local and European elections in June.
Disappointed by failed campaigns, far-right candidates turn to claims of election rigging
One conspiracy theory alleges criminal charges were dropped against a candidate for splitting “the nationalist vote”.
jrnl.ie
December 3, 2024 at 12:48 PM
Conspiracy theories that the general election result was rigged or manipulated are being spread by far-right candidates who failed to gain seats in the 34th Dáil.
It follows similar claims of vote-rigging during and after the local and European elections in June.
It follows similar claims of vote-rigging during and after the local and European elections in June.
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
I know it's a big ask, but we need help getting CouncilTracker.ie back online to show how Dublin city councillors vote. counciltracker-fdecc5cce045.herokuapp.com/motions
We need to add a system so we can update the line-up of councillors as it changes. github.com/DublinInquir...
Can anyone help? 🙏
We need to add a system so we can update the line-up of councillors as it changes. github.com/DublinInquir...
Can anyone help? 🙏
December 3, 2024 at 10:47 AM
I know it's a big ask, but we need help getting CouncilTracker.ie back online to show how Dublin city councillors vote. counciltracker-fdecc5cce045.herokuapp.com/motions
We need to add a system so we can update the line-up of councillors as it changes. github.com/DublinInquir...
Can anyone help? 🙏
We need to add a system so we can update the line-up of councillors as it changes. github.com/DublinInquir...
Can anyone help? 🙏
Irish Freedom Party leader Hermann Kelly is out in Count 14 in Louth with 3,608 votes.
Means all far-right candidates have Ní been eliminated from #GE24
Means all far-right candidates have Ní been eliminated from #GE24
🧵A Day 2 update on how far-right candidates are doing in #GE24.
Some high-profile names have fallen this morning, including Independents Gavin Pepper (Dublin North-West), Dolores Webster and Phil Sutcliffe (Dublin South Central) and Stephen Kerr (Mayo)...
Some high-profile names have fallen this morning, including Independents Gavin Pepper (Dublin North-West), Dolores Webster and Phil Sutcliffe (Dublin South Central) and Stephen Kerr (Mayo)...
December 1, 2024 at 8:18 PM
Irish Freedom Party leader Hermann Kelly is out in Count 14 in Louth with 3,608 votes.
Means all far-right candidates have Ní been eliminated from #GE24
Means all far-right candidates have Ní been eliminated from #GE24
🧵A Day 2 update on how far-right candidates are doing in #GE24.
Some high-profile names have fallen this morning, including Independents Gavin Pepper (Dublin North-West), Dolores Webster and Phil Sutcliffe (Dublin South Central) and Stephen Kerr (Mayo)...
Some high-profile names have fallen this morning, including Independents Gavin Pepper (Dublin North-West), Dolores Webster and Phil Sutcliffe (Dublin South Central) and Stephen Kerr (Mayo)...
Three far-right candidates eliminated on the first count of #GE24 in Fingal West:
- Ben Gilroy (Liberty Republic) with 417 votes (finishes 9th of 12)
- John Oakes (Irish Freedom Party) with 392 votes (10th of 12)
- Mark Joseph Parsons (Irish People) with 157 votes (11th of 12)
- Ben Gilroy (Liberty Republic) with 417 votes (finishes 9th of 12)
- John Oakes (Irish Freedom Party) with 392 votes (10th of 12)
- Mark Joseph Parsons (Irish People) with 157 votes (11th of 12)
December 1, 2024 at 4:03 PM
🧵A Day 2 update on how far-right candidates are doing in #GE24.
Some high-profile names have fallen this morning, including Independents Gavin Pepper (Dublin North-West), Dolores Webster and Phil Sutcliffe (Dublin South Central) and Stephen Kerr (Mayo)...
Some high-profile names have fallen this morning, including Independents Gavin Pepper (Dublin North-West), Dolores Webster and Phil Sutcliffe (Dublin South Central) and Stephen Kerr (Mayo)...
Three far-right candidates eliminated on the first count of #GE24 in Fingal West:
- Ben Gilroy (Liberty Republic) with 417 votes (finishes 9th of 12)
- John Oakes (Irish Freedom Party) with 392 votes (10th of 12)
- Mark Joseph Parsons (Irish People) with 157 votes (11th of 12)
- Ben Gilroy (Liberty Republic) with 417 votes (finishes 9th of 12)
- John Oakes (Irish Freedom Party) with 392 votes (10th of 12)
- Mark Joseph Parsons (Irish People) with 157 votes (11th of 12)
First Count in from Dublin Fingal West (3 Seats).
No one has reached the quota so the bottom four candidates have been eliminated and their votes will be redistributed to their 2nd preferences. #GE24
No one has reached the quota so the bottom four candidates have been eliminated and their votes will be redistributed to their 2nd preferences. #GE24
December 1, 2024 at 11:24 AM
🧵A Day 2 update on how far-right candidates are doing in #GE24.
Some high-profile names have fallen this morning, including Independents Gavin Pepper (Dublin North-West), Dolores Webster and Phil Sutcliffe (Dublin South Central) and Stephen Kerr (Mayo)...
Some high-profile names have fallen this morning, including Independents Gavin Pepper (Dublin North-West), Dolores Webster and Phil Sutcliffe (Dublin South Central) and Stephen Kerr (Mayo)...
Reposted by Stephen McDermott
I am biased obvs but @thejournal.ie’s count centre is very handy and very addictive. Possibly because the first page feels like popping bubble wrap.
You’ll find it in our app or here www.thejournal.ie/section/ge24/
You’ll find it in our app or here www.thejournal.ie/section/ge24/
November 30, 2024 at 7:08 PM
I am biased obvs but @thejournal.ie’s count centre is very handy and very addictive. Possibly because the first page feels like popping bubble wrap.
You’ll find it in our app or here www.thejournal.ie/section/ge24/
You’ll find it in our app or here www.thejournal.ie/section/ge24/