| After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Andrew Rossi |
| Music by | Ian Hultquist |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Andrew Rossi |
| Cinematography | Bryan Sarkinen |
| Editor | Cindy Lee |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | March 19, 2020 (2020-03-19) |
After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News is a 2020 documentary television film directed byAndrew Rossi andexecutive produced byBrian Stelter. The filmpremiered onHBO on March 19, 2020.[1][2][3][4]
The film surveys the effects ofdisinformation campaigns occurring on social media and the impacts of well known conspiracy theories fromObama birther theories andJade Helm, toSeth Rich, toPizzagate, as well as some of the major and minor personalities involved. "Disinformation" is the intentional dissemination of falsehoods.[3] The documentary shows that although the elements of fake news are not new, modern fake news is enhanced and amplified byinformation technology. The roots of fake news are distrust and exploitation. "Inevitably, [the film] confronts the question of what we should do aboutfake news."[1][2] It also shows the background of two conspiracy theorists to create and promote a conspiracy theory regardingRobert Mueller in order to smear him while serving as special counsel.[5]
The film's main theme[3] is framed by "dash-cam footage ofEdgar Maddison Welch" as he drove with a high powered gun from North Carolina toComet Ping Pong pizzeria in Washington, D.C., with intent to stop what he delusively believed to be a "child sex slave ring".[1] The film shows the Pizzagate conspiracy growing onReddit and4chan, how it was fomented by thealt-right andAlex Jones, which then translated into a real-life dangerous situation[3] that occurred beyond the internet.[1]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes,100% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.0/10. The website's consensus reads: "Expansive in scope and methodically researched, After Truth is a chilling thesis on how disinformation corrodes every corner of society."[6][7]
