California governor Newsom launches digital campaign to counter misinformation

SACRAMENTO, the United States, May 9 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched an aggressive digital campaign to counter what he calls a flood of misinformation.

The initiative, anchored by the website CaliforniaFacts.com, aims to provide fact-based responses to false claims about the state's economy, immigration policies, crime rates and wildfire prevention.

"We're going to push back in real time, with facts and with data," Newsom told The Sacramento Bee.

The campaign comes as California continues to be a frequent target of national political attacks, especially since the start of the 2024 presidential election cycle, according to the report.

Newsom has engaged directly on socia media platforms, including U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social network, where he posts rebuttals to misleading claims. "They use these platforms to misinform. We'll use them to inform," he said.

Newsom has also expanded his communication strategy with a podcast series where he discusses state policy, addresses public concerns, and debunks what he called false narratives.

According to Politico, Newsom has framed the campaign as a national service, emphasizing that California -- now the world's fourth-largest economy -- is often misrepresented.

CaliforniaFacts.com features verified data to counter common right-wing talking points, highlighting, for example, that the state's GDP has surpassed 4 trillion U.S. dollars, outpacing Germany and Japan. The site also addresses claims about border security and immigration, noting that enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility.

In response to conspiracy theories following January wildfires near Los Angeles, Newsom's office launched the California Fire Facts website to explain the roles of forest management, firefighting infrastructure and climate change.

Analysts view the campaign as part of Newsom's growing national profile. While he has denied any plans to run for president in 2028, his high-profile defense of California aligns with broader Democratic efforts to combat alleged disinformation and promote fact-based discourse.

Whether the campaign will change public opinion remains uncertain, but Newsom is undeterred. "We can't cede the conversation," he said. "We owe it to the public to set the record straight." ■