Good article, well written, good sources. First thought: If all the people who are forwarding political rumors read this, our democracy would be much better. Second thought. Nah, people believe what they want to.

Thoughtful article about how the Internet helps spread political muck. The author presents good factual examples of this problem, as well as multiple independent sources that explain how 'rumor psychology' works -- and its impact on our culure. The story includes a section about NewsTrust, and its focus on sorting out fact from fiction. [Disclosure: I head NewsTrust and am interviewed in this article]

This is a short well written and well sourced story that decries the volume of false and vicious rumors afloat in this election -- and places much of the blame on the instant communication and relative anonymity of the internet. It is interesting to note, though, that one of more outlandish rumors was spread by talk radio, a medium that is not anonymous but apparently lacks integrity.

The article is a little bit of shotgun journalism, some pellets on target, others in the right general direction, but not finely targeted. Links are vague. Debunking is general. But the identification of a trend and a potential or real current problem is in the right quadrant of the firing range.

The internet is invaluable but just like any other media, the reader/viewer must be responsible and attentive.