Photo: Screenshot/NBC News
Returning to Washington public scene for the first time since her election loss to Donald Trump last month, Hillary Clinton warned against consequences of the “epidemic of fake news” running unbridled in several part of the social media.
“The epidemic of malicious fake news and fake propaganda that flooded social media over the past year, it’s now clear that so-called ‘fake news’ can have real world consequences,” Clinton said.
Her remarks about ramifications of the fake news on the Capitol Hill She came in reference to the “Pizzagate” incident in the nation’s capital this weekend when a gunman following a fake news story that Clinton ran a child sex ring out of a D.C. pizzeria, entered the restaurant, shot fires.
No one was injured but the incident served a notice on Americans that fake news and propaganda posed a serious threat to the society.
“This isn’t about politics or partisanship — lives are at risk. Lives of ordinary people just trying to go about their days, to do their jobs, contribute to their communities,” the former Democratic presidential candidate said.
The former senator and secretary of state was speaking at a ceremony honoring retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. in her first appearance since the November 8 stunning loss – considered one of the biggest upsets in modern American political history.
Clinton, who received standing ovation, began her remarks with a laugh, expressing how she is making an appearance in Washington D.C. in a climate, vastly different than what she had hoped for.
“This is not exactly the speech at the Capitol I hoped to be giving after the election, but after a few weeks of taking selfies in the woods, I thought it would be a good idea to come out.”
Regarding dangers of the fake news, Clinton underscored the urgency to address the issue.
“It’s a danger that must be addressed, and addressed quickly,”
“Bipartisan legislation is making its way through Congress to boost the government’s response to foreign propaganda and Silicon Valley is starting to grapple with the challenge and threat of fake news. It’s imperative that leaders in both the private sector and the public sector step up to protect our democracy and innocent lives.”
