I recently created a post on Facebook that shared a screenshot from the CDC website along with a link to the actual page where the statement could be found. The actual statement reads:
What do your results mean?
If you test positive
- A positive test result shows you may have antibodies from an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. However, there is a chance a positive result means that you have antibodies from an infection with a virus from the same family of viruses (called coronaviruses), such as the one that causes the common cold.
The screenshot image I shared is this:
Does this look like I false any information?
This next image shows what my post looks like now that it’s labelled as “false Information” – I have also included the actual, visible link I used in my post. That link takes you directly to the CDC page that discusses the positive Covid test result and the common cold.
So who is Lead Stories exactly?
Lead Stories is one of several third-party fact checkers who now work with Facebook. I’ll provide a current list of all those “checkers” based in the United States below. Right now I’m going to discuss Lead Stories.
Lead Stories is described as “a web-based fact-checking platform that identifies false or misleading stories, rumors, and conspiracies by using its Trendolizer technology to identify trending content that is then fact-checked by their team of journalists.”
The platform serves as one of Facebook’s partners for fact-checking content shared by users. According to The National Pulse, 50 percent of Lead Stories’ staff have been affiliated with CNN. Together, they total more than 100 years of experience with Cable News Network.
National Pulse: While many on the left and the establishment right insist “big tech bias” is non-existent, the background of and individuals involved with Lead Stories suggests otherwise.
Lead Stories Chairman and founder Perry Sanders is a devout Democrat, donating over $10,000 to political campaigns – every penny going to Democratic candidates.
Sanders donated $3,700 to Hilary Clinton‘s presidential campaign and gave $4,000 to Obama’s 2008 presidential effort.
Sanders – also known as Michael Jackson’s family lawyer – donated $2,000 to failed Democratic congressional candidate Irv Halter in 2014, $500 to Democratic Senator Michael Bennet in 2009, and $300 to failed Democratic congressional candidate Hal Bidlack.
Lead Stories’ political donations and activism doesn’t stop there.
Victoria Eavis, a writer for the site, has also donated via ActBlue, writer Alexis Tereszcuk donated twice to the Clinton campaign in 2016 totaling $500, $25 via ActBlue, and $250 to failed Democratic congressional candidate Nick Leibham.
Writer Gita Smith appears to have donated 99 times amounting to $1,839.82 to Democratic campaigns including (via ActBlue). Smith also donated to Swing Left, a hard-left political group formed in reaction to the election of President Trump intent on “defeating Trump.”
At least half of the staff list CNN as a previous employer. Read more…
I used the following links to block those I was able to find.
Chairman & co-founder: Perry R. Sanders (Colorado)
Editor-in-Chief & co-founder: Alan Duke (California)
COO/CTO & co-founder: Maarten Schenk (Belgium)
Chief Counsel: John C. Goede (Florida)
Managing Editor: Eric Ferkenhoff (North Carolina)
Senior Editor: Monte Plott
Writers & Fact Checkers
Alexis Tereszcuk
Chelsea Carter
Dana Ford
Dean Miller
Gita Smith
Helena Cavendish de Moura
Jessica Ravitz
Mary Acosta
Sarah Thompson
Victoria Eavis
Company Information
Lead Stories LLC is Colorado company formed by Maarten Schenk (Belgium), Alan Duke (California), Perry R. Sanders (Colorado) and later joined by John C. Goede (Florida).
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