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The Alt-Left Media: One More Sign People Are Looking For Echo Chambers

The alt-right got a lot of attention in 2016, but the alt-left has been around longer. And critics say it also peddles fake stories to eager readers.
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Today's divisive, partisan politics aren't simply weighted to one side. While the alt-right got a lot of attention in 2016, critics say the alt-left media also continues to peddle conspiracy theories and fake stories. But some experts say the existence of the alt-left is merely the symptom, not the illness as consumers look for stories that affirm their political beliefs.

The interview that follows features Silvio Waisbord, associate director of the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs. Waisbord and Newsy's "The Why" host Chance Seales talk about the history of the alt-left media and why the existence of either extreme — alt-left or alt-right — is indicative of a larger problem.

Get a deeper understanding of stories that matter with Newsy's "The Why" — weekdays 7-9 p.m. ET.