The Ark Valley Voice (AVV) recently declined an invitation to a “Freedom of the Press” town hall hosted by the Chaffee County Patriots, citing concerns about the group’s history of spreading disinformation and hate speech. The Chaffee Patriots, founded in August 2020, have been accused of promoting violent rhetoric and misinformation—particularly regarding events like the Black Lives Matter protests and the 2020 election. AVV argued that the group has hosted speakers and events that spread inaccurate information and uphold discredited views, which conflicts with AVV’s commitment to fact-based reporting. Leadership within the Chaffee Patriots, including President Brian O’Connell and Vice President Dennis Heap, have shared disinformation and offensive content on their personal social media accounts, reflecting a troubling trend of hate and division. AVV emphasizes the importance of confronting disinformation and maintaining ethical journalism, expressing that collaboration with the Chaffee Patriots would be incompatible with their mission.
Addressing Disinformation, Racism, and Hate Speech
By xpectafight
