A year later, lies about Melissa Hortman's murder continue to spread - Star Tribune
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The impossible bind facing Hortman's loved ones — ignore the lies and let them spread, or engage and amplify them — is a textbook case of the "Streisand Effect" meets misinformation dynamics.
Streisand EffectBackfire EffectMisinformation TheorySocial Amplification of Risk
Theory Briefing
- Friends and family of Melissa Hortman face a dilemma: ignoring conspiracy theories lets them spread, but engaging risks amplifying them.
- Social media misinformation about Hortman's death has persisted for a year, illustrating how false narratives outlast corrections.
- The debunking dilemma reflects research showing that refuting a myth can inadvertently reinforce it in audiences' minds.