Fake News, Real Policy: Combatting Fear and Misinformation in Criminal Justice

“Fake news” and misinformation are not new problems. In the criminal justice space alone, misinformation has fueled mass incarceration, flamed racial tensions and perpetuated harmful stereotypes.

If President-elect Biden wants to bring a rhetorically divided nation together and promote unity, he needs to combat misinformation and fear mongering by ensuring transparent and robust data collection; supporting research funding and evaluation; utilizing public information campaigns; and aligning incentives with policy innovation and efficacy.

When policymakers fall victim to misinformation or create policies rooted in fear rather than fact, American life, property and liberty can be lost in the process.