(Media News) Imposter Network Posts False "COVID Vaccine Deaths" Lists Across 49 States

According to an investigation by Newsguard, a conservative network, Metric Media, comprising about 1,100 locally branded websites, has disseminated nearly identical articles falsely claiming that COVID-19 vaccines caused thousands of deaths. This network operates websites like East Arizona News, Nevada Business Daily, and Auburn Times, which masquerade as independent local news sites but are actually “pink slime” sites pushing partisan agendas. MBFC labels Pink Slime sites as “Imposter” sites because they are posing as local media outlets

Founded in 2019, Metric Media LLC publishes a network of websites that use a uniform format and claim to provide objective, data-driven information. However, many stories are generated algorithmically by Locality Labs, owned by conservative businessman Brian Timpone. Metric Media lacks transparency about their conservative agenda, funding sources, and reliance on algorithmically generated content, which undermines their credibility.

Metric Media targets news deserts, areas lacking local newspapers, positioning themselves as trustworthy sources while siphoning advertising revenue from genuine news outlets. In areas with existing independent newspapers, these pink slime sites undermine trust in news by blending in with legitimate local journalism. Stories alleging thousands of deaths by the COVID vaccine appeared in various Metric Media sites, including Minnesota State Wire and Golden State Today.

The articles falsely cited statistics from the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), which collects unverified reports of adverse events post-vaccination. These reports, often used by anti-vaccine activists, do not confirm causation. VAERS is intended to detect possible safety issues and collect unverified reports, meaning anyone can submit a report regardless of accuracy or evidence.

The network’s articles follow a template, starting with state-specific statistics on deaths following COVID vaccinations reported to VAERS. This approach plays into classic anti-vaccine tropes without acknowledging the unverified nature of VAERS reports. Metric Media’s content often promotes a conservative viewpoint, sometimes featuring false information, which has been highlighted by multiple fact-checkers and news organizations.

Overall, Media Bias Fact Check reports that Metric Media LLC is rated as right-center biased and questionable due to a lack of transparency, publication of false information, and the nondisclosure of its extensive network designed to mimic local news sources.

MBFC has reviewed and rated over 1000 imposter sites from the left and right.