The Left Falsely Portrays Disinformation As The Right's Monopoly

Peter Berkowitz argues that the left's claim of a right-wing monopoly on disinformation is a fallacy, as both sides engage in deceitful political rhetoric. He criticizes the left's control over institutions like education, media, and government, which allows them to amplify their accusations and blind themselves to their own shortcomings. Berkowitz contends that the left's tendency to present disinformation as a specifically right-wing issue is harmful, as it fosters outrage on the right and justifies extreme claims. He highlights the left's use of digital technology to create a separate reality, exemplified by their responses to hurricanes and their downplaying of the lab-leak hypothesis for COVID-19. Berkowitz emphasizes that while right-wing rhetoric can be harmful, progressives should acknowledge the reasons for distrust in institutions they dominate, such as universities and the media. He points to the left's historical promotion of narratives that censor dissenting opinions and weaponize the law against opponents, citing examples like the Russia collusion allegations against Trump and the suppression of Hunter Biden's laptop story. Ultimately, Berkowitz calls on progressives to move beyond mere proclamations of truth and actively demonstrate their commitment to it by acknowledging their own shortcomings and engaging in honest discourse.