Luján Chairs Commerce Subcommittee on Communications Hearing Examining Vaccine Disinformation in the Media

Press Release

Holding the gavel for the first time, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband's first hearing of the 117th Congress. Titled "Shot of Truth: Communicating Trusted Vaccine Information," the hearing examined how the media is disseminating vaccine safety and COVID-health related information to encourage Americans, particularly those in rural areas and in communities of color, to get vaccinated. Witnesses, including New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins, testified about how trusted sources like local news outlets have been crucial to building trust in the COVID-19 vaccine and combatting dangerous disinformation.

"We need to stop the spread of misinformation out there. As we've heard from every one of our witnesses today, it's so important to share facts and accurate information with our constituents, with people across the United States of America, and that there needs to be an active effort to stop the lies, to stop the spread of misinformation because it's costing people their lives," said Luján.

Source