Pollster admits to fabricating data for ‘social experiment’ to expose flaws of industry
Summary
A polling firm called Wedgewood Polls admitted to creating fake survey data as part of a “social experiment” to show problems in the polling industry. Their false data was reported by many major news outlets, leading some to remove the polls from their databases after the hoax was revealed.Key Facts
- Wedgewood Polls admitted on social media that it fabricated polling data.
- The firm said the fake data was meant to reveal how easy it is to spread false poll results.
- Several major media outlets, including Newsweek and the Washington Examiner, used the fake polls.
- Data from Wedgewood was included in poll aggregates by sites like the New York Times and Nate Silver’s database.
- After the admission, Decision Desk HQ and the New York Times removed Wedgewood polls from their lists.
- Wedgewood Polls started in June with no named staff or contact information on its website.
- Independent investigators found inconsistencies in Wedgewood’s data and questioned its legitimacy.
- Michigan state senator Mallory McMorrow said fake polls showing her dropping support hurt her campaign and fundraising.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
