CPN NEWS: Hidden Demons Resort to Fake News
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Originally Published on September 30th, 2489
CPN NEWS/Hart Felix Reporting
Not everyone admits it, but just about anyone and everyone has peeked into the ShadowNet's infamous Underground Rumors. Even if you haven't seen it, you've likely heard people talking about it. It's been a long and ongoing investigation for some time now into this Underground Rumor type of ShadowNet news. But exactly how reliable is it? At first glance, it seems like a sort of independent journalism. But as we dig deeper, we will find it as far more complex, with several layers, that bring the horrific truth. Underground Rumors mentions a lot about the Hidden Demons. Who, to some, are seen as Underground Allies. Though even that is far from the truth. Underground Rumors seems controlled by them, and a type of fake news to anchor in allies with lies. Yes, they are lying to you. And they are using what feels like independent and underground journalism as fake news.
When you think about it, it makes sense. If a corporation or sky city were to create fake news, there would be dozens of lawsuits and liabilities. Although, for a crime syndicate they can easily escape and avoid these consequences. So exactly why do so many people believe them? Psychologist, Virginia Rover, explains further:
| "You have people who relate to the Hidden Demons. They see them as the 99%, or people who have grown up in the very streets they grew up in. Because of this common background, that relation builds a form of trust right off the bat. People can easily blame corporations for their problems. Even if it's only some corporations that are bad. So when you're working minimum wage and can't get that promotion, you're looking for somewhere to direct that frustration at instead of looking for a new job." |
It isn't easy to notice either. Especially when they use a similar strategy that narcissists use. Giving one or two truthful statements between each deceitful one. That way when someone finds out one of these statements are true, they automatically believe the rest are as well. It creates an easy burrow for lies. The most alarming thing we found during our fact checks with these rumors, there are a lot of corporations 'claiming' so and so. Which are simply not true when we tried to fact check on these statements. We even tried to find any video evidence in case these corporations were lying, and even the videos we found had nothing similar to what Underground Rumors was claiming.
Another interesting fact is the amount of times "Hidden Demons" are mentioned in Underground Rumors. Which is understandable that they are mentioned an average of 5 to 6 times per "edition" when they are the ones creating it. Although the more interesting thing is that is nearly the exact average of editions that mentioned the Twin Dragons before the Hidden Demons came to light. A detective that wants to remain anonymous for investigation purposes chimed in to this:
"What the Hidden Demons are playing at is very different to other gangs, mafia, and crime syndicates. They're using Old Earth type of political propaganda to try and recruit both members and supporters. We all know of their power on HADES, and their anti-corp ideology. You never see them mentioning how much HADES is failing. Even Cocoon Station, which is just a trade port, has a more stimulating economy and stocks than a colony on Mars. If their no corporation ideology was true, you would think HADES would be thriving. Yet a tiny trading station succeeds in the economy because of those corporations and laws. So they steer away from mentioning or bringing these things to light. Instead, they try to play the blame game, pointing their fingers at any corporation through the Underground Rumors. And finding a way to make themselves sound like saviors."
There are a few 'neutral' statements made in the rumors, but a high amount of them are extremely positive of Hidden Demons, and before that, of Twin Dragons. The most recent Underground Rumors is a great example of this. Witnesses at the scene of the Megabyte attack mentioned many APD, AT, FC and other corporations and individuals making a mark on all the drones, mercenaries, and Megabyte's mutation machine. Including unknown individuals taking down the Meteocorp system that would have brought the toxic rains onto all of Cocoon and anyone outside. Including those attacking Megabyte. Many of these events were downplayed or not mentioned at all as the edition focused heavily on praising Hidden Demons.
There is also an obvious pattern within the rumors. Whenever any corporation or individual seems to get on their bad side, you can bet sudden 'bad news' appears in the Underground Rumors. Again supporting that Hidden Demons use it toward nothing more than their own Agenda. Manipulating those in the underground and those who think they're some form of Robin Hood without bringing to light that Hidden Demons have done nearly anything for the poor. Far less so than even the worst and shadiest of corporations. With all the information moving through the public net and the darker corners of cyberspace, it reminds you to be careful of who you trust. Even people who seem on your team. It's important to always fact check any information you receive online, and look for multiple sources in cases of hacking. This is Hart Felix, bringing you what matters on CPN News.
