AI Outlet Spreads False Flood News

Officials in the Gallup area are dealing with widespread flooding and a water main break, compounded by a new artificial intelligence news outlet spreading false information. Prism McKinley County, an AI-driven news outlet launched in October, has published misleading stories, including one that falsely reported a drowning death during recent floods. This fabricated story claimed a woman drowned, though the actual incident occurred last year, according to city officials. The city has experienced no deaths or injuries from the current flooding.

The AI outlet's false reports have prompted concern. Another misleading article from July 18 falsely stated two women were robbed and beaten at a local Walmart, when the incident actually happened in March 2020. The Gallup Police Department issued a public advisory on Facebook, urging residents to seek information from verified sources and official government channels. This situation highlights the challenges of combating misinformation, especially during critical events.

Prism Media, based in Israel, operates several such sites across New Mexico, with Prism McKinley County having the largest following on social media. Experts monitoring the growth of these AI outlets note that the McKinley County site appears to rely heavily on unverified social media posts for content. This approach is particularly concerning in areas like Gallup, which has experienced the closure of its long-standing local newspaper, the Gallup Independent, in February, leaving a void in local news coverage.