WASHINGTON — It has headlines and bylines, an original story 834 words long, and links to 10 articles from other outlets concerning health policy and drug pricing in New Jersey. But readers expecting journalism from the upstart HealthNewsNJ.com may be in for a surprise: It’s fake news.
In reality, it’s a campaign site run by Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who is facing a re-election challenge from Bob Hugin, the former CEO of the pharmaceutical company Celgene
The site, with the exception of a small-print disclosure at the bottom and a link to Menendez’s campaign website, does plenty to leave the impression it is a journalistic outlet and little to make clear it is a political messaging tool.
About the Author Reprints
