In a recent interview on E&P Reports, Josh Sweigart, senior editor of investigations and solutions journalism at Cox First Media Ohio, shared insights into the local media’s role in addressing misinformation. The focus was on how his newsroom at the Springfield News-Sun handled the recent surge of false claims about Haitian immigrants, amplified by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and vice presidential nominee and senator from Ohio, JD Vance.
Sweigart began by discussing the origins of the false rumor, which claimed that Haitian migrants in Springfield were responsible for eating pets. The unsubstantiated claim was quickly spread online, causing a wave of fear and confusion in the community. “This is not a new issue for Springfield. There have been legitimate concerns about a large influx of a community that needs a lot of resources,” Sweigart explained. “What’s new is the misinformation. We started seeing a spike in traffic on our website, with people searching for any story related to Haiti and Springfield.”
The newsroom took swift action. A lead reporter, Jessica Orozco, contacted local police and confirmed no reports of missing pets or similar incidents had been filed. “She was the first to get a story up debunking the claim,” said Sweigart. “It was the number one story on all of our websites, but it was terrifying how many millions of people saw the misinformation through other outlets.’
Balancing local trust amid national scrutiny
As national attention intensified, the Springfield News-Sun remained focused on delivering accurate, well-researched information to their community. Sweigart emphasized the importance of trust between the local media and its audience. “People often say they don’t trust the media, but when it comes to local news, there’s still a lot of trust. They know we’re here, we know the community, and we’re not just Googling things,” he explained. “We believe and hear from the community that they trust what we’re reporting.”
Despite the influx of national media coverage, the News-Sun has maintained a commitment to fact-checking and intentional reporting, aiming to combat misinformation without rushing to publish unverified claims. “We’re not trying to compete with national outlets that parachute into the community,” Sweigart said. “Our goal is to be accurate, not just fast.”
The real-world impact of misinformation
Sweigart also touched on the real-life consequences of the false rumors, including bomb threats and school evacuations in Springfield. “We’ve had multiple bomb threats across the city. Schools have closed, and colleges have gone virtual. It’s made it difficult for us to do our job when safety becomes a primary concern for the community,” Sweigart noted.
While the newsroom has safety protocols in place, the constant security threats have created additional challenges for reporting. “We always tell our reporters not to go anywhere they feel unsafe,” Sweigart emphasized. “Our priority is their safety.”
Advice for local newsrooms facing misinformation
When asked about advice for other local newsrooms potentially facing a similar situation, Sweigart stressed the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity. “You have to recognize that social media rumors will often spread faster than you can report,” he said. “But your responsibility is to be accurate and deliberate in your coverage. The community relies on you to provide the facts, even when national outlets are pushing a different narrative.”
Sweigart’s reflections provide a clear reminder of the essential role local newsrooms play in their communities, especially in the face of misinformation and sensationalism. His team at the Springfield News-Sun remains a critical source of truth amid a politically charged atmosphere. Sweigart reiterated his team’s commitment to accurate, community-focused journalism. “We’re here to serve the people of Springfield, not to chase national headlines,” he said. “Our job is to get the facts right, no matter how long it takes.”
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