So-called independent web portals keep popping up in New Hampshire. They are well funded with professional staff, but try not to look it because they are actually partisan political fronts pretending to be unbiased, disinterested observers. They want you to trust them.
You can’t.
They may even say they care about New Hampshire, Live Free or Die! Granite Post News is one of the more recent inventions. Within seconds of clicking the link that hit my inbox, I could tell what this was. But before we get to that, here’s who they claim to be.
No one cares more about our state than the people who live here. And that’s us. Our experienced team of journalists all call New Hampshire home. We know you because we are you. We’re here to cut through the fog of disinformation and half-truths meant to confuse and distract from what we cherish most about our state and our country. That’s why we’re committed to reporting based on facts, science, and what matters most to Granite Staters.
They admit to believing in a living wage, centered reporting, quality education, and strong democracy. That sounds a lot like a Liberal-funded front group pretending to be something it is not. A band of locals who care about New Hampshire.
Sorry. Not even close. But not everyone will notice or realize, so we are here to help.
Granite Post News is owned and run by Courier Newsroom. Courier is a creature of ACRONYM.
One newer group heralding the new era of pseudo-news outlets is ACRONYM, a liberal dark money group with an affiliated super PAC called PACRONYM. The nonprofit also is an investor in a for-profit digital consulting firm that gained notoriety for its role in launching Shadow Inc., the secretive vendor behind a vote tabulation app at the center of the pandemonium at the Iowa Democratic caucuses. ACRONYM announced it was divesting in Shadow Inc. shortly thereafter.
ACRONYM is behind Courier Newsroom, a network of websites emulating progressive local news outlets. Courier has faced scrutiny for exploiting the collapse of local journalism to spread “hyperlocal partisan propaganda.” It claims to operate “independent from” ACRONYM and says ownership is shared with “other investors.” But a new tax return obtained by OpenSecrets lists ACRONYM as the full owner of Courier as of April. 30, 2019, the most recent date on record. An ACRONYM spokesperson told OpenSecrets that Courier has attracted multiple private investors since that time.
Websites affiliated with Courier Newsroom that appear to be free-standing local news outlets are actually part of a coordinated effort with deep ties to Democractic political operatives. OpenSecrets first revealed the network’s digital ad spending at the Investigative Reporters and Editors NICAR conference in March.
ACRONYM has millions to spend on its networks and mission, and this isn’t our first dip of the toe into Couriers waters. In the run-up to the midterms, the same dark money was doing the same fake media song and dance. We uncovered four outlets in the Granite State of the original 51.
Granite Post News looks to be a bit less cut and paste, but the underlying partisan mission is the same.
Consider yourself informed.
And one more point, since this always comes up if an “outlet” or an advocate decides to play denier or engage in pushback. We have no issue with you being who you are. Just admit it. Let the people know, and they can decide how to value the opinion and reporting you have to offer.
The ‘Grok and Grok Media are reader-supported. No deep pockets. Just shoestrings and a strong desire to protect New Hampshire. You can begin or continue to support us and our mission here. Thank You!
