Steve Schulwitz

Is anyone else finding it difficult to determine what is real or fake on social media?

What is accurate? What “facts” are fabricated or exaggerated? What is AI generated and what is real?

For years now, rumors have been considered fact on social media and the spreading of false or misleading information is common.

The lines between what is real or not are beginning to blur even more however.

Now, we have to question if people interacting on Facebook are who they say they are or if they are simply hiding safely behind their computer screen to avoid possible debate.

More than ever, more people hide behind aliases and use fake profile names to post and comment as their true identity remains hidden.

It also seems new “community pages” are popping up left and right. This is especially true in regards to the proposed Blackwaters NE project for the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Some of these groups may support the project or are against it, but it is nearly impossible to know who the administrators for some of these pages are and that’s problematic.

It is my opinion that people who hide behind fake profile names and demand transparency from local government, private investors, and even the media, should make their identity clear. Put your personal stamp on your thoughts and opinions. If not, why should anyone take your opinions seriously?

Why would a commissioner consider your opinion valid if they don’t know who you are or if you even live in Alpena County?

Are these people scared of rebuttals? Are they insecure about the facts or their positions? Maybe they are fearful that the claims they make will be debunked.

Just last week I received several emails that contained letters, which were also sent to the commissioners. They were harsh, direct, and included misstatements of facts.

One was simply signed as being from “The people of Alpena County.” I still don’t know who sent these, but it is presumptuous to assume that everyone in the county shares their position on the project and have the same opinion about the commissioners.

Maybe their opinions would carry more weight if they had the courage to attach their actual names to them.

I have seen people who opposed and support the project who have used these shenanigans to remain incognito. In my opinion, if you truly believe in a cause, you should be proud to attach your name to it.

I received an amazing column from a lady who claimed she was in her 80s and was an area resident. She described the history of public backlash and fear for other local projects dating back many years. She talked about the importance of community and neighbors. It was very well done and I would love for everyone, no matter where they stand on Blackwaters, to be able to read it.

There was one problem though. The News was unable to verify the name of the person who submitted it. She would respond to emails, but never returned phone calls. I hate to think the name attached to the column was made up, but with each passing day, I’m becoming more convinced it was.

Naturally, The News did not run the column. But, I still wish people could read it because it has been one of the only voices of reason that I have heard since the day the county voted to approve the contract with Blackwaters. It was that good.

To sum up her words, she was not opposed to the project, but she had concerns. She asked that people not be scared of change. The words, no matter who typed them, were not combative or derived from anger, but filled with historical facts and common sense.

That makes me wonder why whoever wrote it thought it was necessary to use a fake identity, if that is indeed the case.

Were they scared they would receive backlash? That her thoughts and opinions would be chastised or that her name would be dragged through the mud? Unfortunately, with the behavior on social media today, those things are all possible.

It is one thing to challenge county officials and even myself as the editor of the paper. We signed up for that and it goes with the territory.

But to ridicule and embarrass those who do have opposing views as yours, especially behind the mask of a fake profile name or account, is cowardly. This applies to everyone because I can not say with certainty that people associated with Blackwaters haven’t found a way to try to manipulate public opinion on social media. I don’t believe this to be the case, but it is not something I can rule out.

One thing I can say for certain, my staff and I will continue to attach our names to stories, columns, social media posts, and won’t shy away from controversy. I suspect the commissioners and county administrator will do the same.

It would just be nice to see more decorum, a phone call, or a cup of coffee to discuss matters and agree to disagree if an understanding can’t be reached.

That’s not always easy, but if you demand more transparency from our local officials, you should be held to the same standard.