This woman dated only far-right men for a year: ‘They were so insecure’

CNN - Apr 11th, 2025

The spotlight turns to the 'manosphere,' a digital subculture dominated by macho podcasters and influencers, where UFC fighters such as Jake Shields are prominent figures. CNN's Donie O’Sullivan explores this dynamic world in an upcoming segment, 'MisinfoNation: Extreme America,' part of 'The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper.' The episode, set to air on Sunday, April 13, delves into the influence and reach of these personalities, featuring conversations with Shields and insights from independent journalist Vera Papisova.

The 'manosphere' represents a convergence of hyper-masculine ideals, social media prowess, and physical prowess, as demonstrated by figures like Shields. This subculture's impact on public discourse and its potential to shape perceptions of masculinity and gender roles are significant. By examining these influencers, the story underscores the broader implications of such digital communities on societal norms and raises questions about the responsibility of media figures in shaping narratives. The episode aims to provide a nuanced understanding of this influential yet controversial space.

Ufc Anderson Cooper Manosphere Jake Shields Donie O'sullivan Vera Papisova Misinfo Nation Podcasts Influencers Masculinity

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.8

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The story presents a timely and relevant topic, focusing on the influence of the manosphere and figures like Jake Shields. While it is clear and engaging, it lacks balance and depth in its representation of perspectives. The reliance on a limited number of sources and the lack of transparency in verifying claims affect the overall accuracy. The article has the potential to spark public interest and provoke debate, but its impact is limited by the lack of comprehensive coverage and depth. More diverse sourcing and a balanced presentation of viewpoints would enhance its quality and reliability.

Accuracy

The story presents some factual claims that are verifiable, such as the existence of the "manosphere" and the involvement of figures like Jake Shields. However, the story lacks precision in detailing Shields' specific role within this community and the extent of his influence. There is also a need to verify the claim about Shields' far-right views, as these are significant assertions that require strong evidence. The mention of CNN's segment 'MisinfoNation: Extreme America' is accurate, but details about the content and focus of this segment are sparse and need further confirmation.

Balance

The story predominantly focuses on the perspective of the manosphere and the figures within it, such as Jake Shields. It does not provide a balanced view by including perspectives from those who might oppose or critique the manosphere. The inclusion of independent journalist Vera Papisova offers some balance, but the article could benefit from a wider range of viewpoints, particularly from those outside the manosphere.

Clarity

The language and structure of the article are clear, making it easy to understand the main points. The article is concise and to the point, but it could benefit from more detailed explanations of complex terms like 'manosphere' for readers unfamiliar with the concept. Overall, the clarity is good, but additional context would enhance comprehension.

Source quality

The story references credible sources such as CNN, which lends some authority to the content. However, it lacks a variety of sources that could provide additional context or verify the claims made about the manosphere and Jake Shields. The reliance on a single media outlet limits the depth of the reporting and leaves room for potential bias.

Transparency

The article does not provide much context about how the information was gathered or the methodologies used to verify the claims. There is a lack of transparency regarding the basis for the claims about Jake Shields' political views and his involvement in the manosphere. More information on the sources and their potential biases would improve transparency.