Summary: Real Raw News is a satirical political news website that frequently peddles conspiracy theories. The site publishes fantastical, demonstrably false stories of arrests, trials, hangings and executions. Stories on the site generally promote conspiracy theories and other debunked claims, including about U.S. politics, the COVID-19 pandemic and Nibiru.
Real Raw News is a satirical political news website that frequently peddles conspiracy theories, some of which have gone viral. Combing blending of InfoWars and The Onion, the site has kept fact-checkers busy, with stories of Nancy Pelosi being arrested by US Special Forces for treason, Delta Force seizing an “IRS Weapons Shipment,” to claimsof the Military arresting Bill Gates on child sex trafficking charges.
According to its ‘About’ page:
Real Raw News tried to bring light to topics often ignored by others.
Yes, it literally says “tried” (not tries). Whereas the website footer states that the site is:
An independent publisher, RealRawNews explores content often avoided by the mainstream media.
Real Raw News is one of several conspiracy-oriented pages set up in recent years. The site publishes fantastical, demonstrably false stories of arrests, trials, hangings and executions. Site author “Michael Baxter” portrays himself as a reporter with access to privileged information. Using open source information, PolitiFact discovered that “Michael Baxter” is in fact Michael Tuffin.
The website includes a link to a PayPal page for donations. Stories on the site generally promote conspiracy theories and other debunked claims, including about U.S. politics, the COVID-19 pandemic and Nibiru.
What is Real Raw News?
The website “Real Raw News” presents itself as an independent publisher exploring content avoided by mainstream media. Since its launch in December 2020, it has posted over 150 articles promoting narratives of military actions and executions, reminiscent of the QAnon conspiracy theory. These articles gain significant social media engagement. Despite claims of satire, the author, “Michael Baxter,” presents as a reporter with privileged information from unnamed sources including those purportedly close to Trump and at Guantanamo Bay. The site’s headlines mimic genuine news, making it convincing to some readers. The content includes false stories such as Mike Pence seeking asylum and public figures being executed. Real Raw News’ growing following suggests its impact, and platforms like Facebook and Google have taken actions against it for spreading misinformation. An investigation revealed the author’s real name, Michael Tuffin, known for promoting other conspiracy theories
Is Real Raw News.com Legitimate?
No, Real Raw News lacks legitimacy as a source of information due to several key reasons:
False and Misleading Content: The website consistently publishes false and misleading stories, often promoting conspiracy theories that lack credible evidence. These stories, such as military arrests and public figure executions, play into existing narratives like QAnon, without factual support.
Questionable Sourcing: The author, “Michael Baxter,” claims to have insider access to exclusive information from unnamed sources close to prominent figures, including Donald Trump. These claims lack verifiable evidence and often align with sensationalized narratives, casting doubt on their authenticity.
Satirical Disguise: While the website includes a disclaimer stating it contains “humor, parody, and satire,” the articles are designed to mimic authentic news stories. This blurred line between satire and factual reporting can confuse readers, leading some to believe the content is accurate.
Unsubstantiated Claims: Real Raw News presents sensational claims such as former Vice President Mike Pence seeking asylum and public figures being executed. These claims are not backed by reliable sources or credible evidence and often contradict established facts.
Inconsistent Corrections: Despite making spelling errors and factual mistakes, the author’s willingness to correct these errors might suggest professionalism. However, this does not make up for the absence of accurate sourcing and the overall lack of integrity in content creation.
Platform Actions: Both Facebook and Google have taken actions against Real Raw News for violating content policies and spreading misinformation, further discrediting the website’s reliability.
Author’s History: An investigation into the author’s background reveals a history of promoting far-fetched conspiracy theories on other websites and YouTube channels. This pattern raises questions about their credibility and intention.
Lack of Accountability: When confronted with criticism or inquiries about their content, the author responded dismissively, suggesting a lack of accountability for the accuracy and impact of their work.
In summary, Real Raw News fails to meet the standards of legitimate journalism due to its consistent publication of false and misleading information, questionable sourcing, misleading satirical approach, and lack of accountability. These factors collectively undermine its credibility and make it an unreliable source of information.