Fake US election polls expose gaps in media vetting practices

Wedgewood Polling has acknowledged creating false polling data on the 2016 US midterm elections and accused major media outlets of failing to properly verify their credentials before publishing results. The pollster claimed the exercise was designed to assess whether news organizations and poll aggregators would adequately vet their sources.

Among the organisations that reported Wedgewood's data were the New York Times and FiftyPlusOne, both of which rejected allegations that they had neglected due diligence. The fabricated surveys, released beginning in June, triggered significant repercussions in political circles.

Michigan state Senator Mallory McMorrow, who featured in one of the polls released in late June, withdrew from the Democratic primary for the US Senate following the survey. McMorrow described the impact of the false polling data, stating that it led to a drying up of campaign donations and demoralised volunteers. The candidate also noted increased pressure from media outlets urging her to exit the race.

The incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities in how major news organisations validate polling data before incorporating it into coverage. Media houses and poll aggregators have faced renewed scrutiny over their vetting procedures, with questions emerging about the mechanisms in place to prevent such incidents.