Wrong source for views on hate

A recent report by your Facts Matter columnist inspired me.

If facts matter, I wondered why the Daily Herald regularly refers to the Southern Poverty Law Center as a source of unbiased, factual information. The facts are, it is not. I could provide many details, but an AI prompt is more fun. Here are examples:

• SPLC: Disavowed by Obama’s FBI, because they label mainstream conservative and religious groups as “hate groups.”

• Their “Hate Map” inspired at least one act of domestic terrorism involving attempted murder and religious bigotry.

• They have their own scandals, including sexual misconduct, gender-based discrimination and racial discrimination.

• Insiders say raking in millions is prioritized over litigating for rights

• Hate Map included: Family Research Council, Illinois Family Institute in Gurnee, Illinois, American College of Pediatricians, Ben Carson, etc., defaming them by lumping them in with the KKK

Another interesting find: Potential bias toward the discredited SPLC by Daily Herald itself. In 10 years, Chat GPT found: “Daily Herald overwhelmingly uses the SPLC as a credible source, quoting its experts, referencing its reports … Only rarely (so far, in one opinion piece in 2019) has the Daily Herald run content that was explicitly critical of the SPLC.”

That single critical piece? An opinion article written by me.

This week, I wrote on the propaganda technique “accusation in the mirror.” SPLC got a “shout out” as expert practitioners. Illinois Family Institute featured it here. They’re on SPLC’s Hate Map. They advocate for life over death for the addicted, trafficked, impoverished, elderly and those with Down syndrome. They oppose medical mutilation and mandates, want to protect girls’ privacy and parents’ rights. They think law-abiders should be protected and government should be responsible.

If facts matter, maybe you should quote positively groups like Illinois Family Institute more and SPLC less.

Paul Hurst

Hawthorn Woods