Disputing conspiracism is a civic duty spanning press, experts, groups, and citizens

Evidence

Speaking truth to conspiracy is not just for political representatives, of course. We rely on the press as well. Our capacity as citizens, and indeed the capacity of officials, to dispute conspiracist claims depends on arduous reporting and credible sources. Experts, too, both inside and outside government, whose authority derives from special knowledge, must speak out—as scientists do in the case of climate change when they educate, advocate, and mobilize, taking on the role of “witnessing professionals.” Civil society groups speak truth to conspiracy as a regular part of their work. Some defend the rights of groups that conspiracists scapegoat, such as migrants. Private citizens speak out personally and individually, too, in a host of informal settings where “a lot of people are saying” is critically assessed. — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 338

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Conspiracism functions as a political explanation of hidden power — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 1077

Broader Connections

• Conspiracism functions as a political explanation of hidden power #qualifies (0.75) — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 1077