Spread of Misinformation Precedes Ohio Abortion Referendum: Official Legislative Website Implicated

Controversial language focusing on a reproductive rights initiative on Ohio’s upcoming ballot is the kind of rhetoric that typically surfaces in the final stages of a hotly debated campaign. The language warns of unrestricted abortion access or the termination of fully conscious fetuses should the measure pass.

Remarkably, this messaging is not solely emanating from anti-abortion organizations opposing the constitutional amendment. The official government site of the Republican-majority Ohio Senate is also disseminating this information.

Due to its status as a government website, the content is given prominence in internet searches related to Issue 1. This is the referendum question that Ohio voters will consider on November 7, which aims to secure abortion rights within the state Constitution.

The Ohio Senate website hosts an “On The Record” blog, portrayed as an “online newsroom” that offers “views not covered in the news.” The blog features critical posts against Ohio media outlets, opinion pieces by Republican state senators, and content created by the Senate majority’s communication team and other prominent conservatives.

Upon the blog’s launch in September, Republican lawmakers assured visitors that they would find “a repository for facts, values, and rational discourse,” shortly after voters turned down a Republican-led attempt to tighten the rules for constitutional amendments.

Proponents of the proposed amendment criticize the utilization of a taxpayer-funded platform for such purposes, while experts in online misinformation describe the Republican lawmakers’ actions as unprecedented.

Laura Manley, executive director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, commented that this strategy cleverly disguises partisan views as neutral and factual information, calling it “ingenious in a particularly cunning manner.”

Recently, “On The Record” has shifted its focus towards opposing Issue 1, making claims in articles that the measure would allow unrestricted abortions and the termination of fully conscious fetuses. Legal and medical professionals consulted by The Big Big News have dismissed these narratives as either misleading or entirely false.

Although the Ohio Senate is a governmental body, supporters of the constitutional amendment fear that content from “On The Record” could mislead voters into thinking it provides objective information. Google’s search algorithms often prioritize government websites, assuming that they offer reliable, verifiable, and authoritative content for public benefit.

Democratic state Senator Bill DeMora stated that the content is not picked up by mainstream media due to its inaccuracy, while Republican Senate President Matt Huffman refrained from labeling “On The Record” as a news service, describing it as a method of public communication.

John Fortney, spokesperson for the Republican majority in the Ohio Senate, stated that the blog does not incur any additional costs, as it is hosted on an existing platform and managed by his staff. However, public records reveal that Fortney and his senior press secretary earn a combined annual salary of $195,000. The blog is maintained by Legislative Information Services, an IT office for Ohio’s legislative chambers, with an annual budget of $13 million.

An in-depth analysis by supporters of the amendment shows no discernable difference between the blog and the Senate’s official site, indicating shared resources.

Google has not responded to queries about its search algorithms giving precedence to such content, but groups fighting misinformation about Issue 1 say that the blog’s government-backed status gives it an unfair advantage in search results.

Critics argue that the blog blurs the line between government responsibility and partisan advocacy, putting the integrity of the referendum at risk by presenting biased information on an official platform designed to inform voters.

The Big Big News is funded by multiple private foundations for the purpose of enhancing its coverage of elections and democracy, and is solely responsible for all content. Reporters Fernando from Chicago and Samantha Hendrickson from Columbus contributed to this report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ohio abortion referendum

More about Ohio abortion referendum

• Ohio Senate Official Website
• Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School
• Google’s Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines
• The Big Big News Democracy Initiative
• Buckeye Institute Public Salary Database
• University of California, Davis School of Law
• Red Wine & Blue Women’s Organization