These days, anyone can create a Facebook page, group, or account while remaining completely anonymous—free to spread misinformation, attack others, or stir up controversy without any accountability. That’s not something communities should encourage or reward. We should reject anonymous bad actors and demand greater transparency from the people trying to influence public opinion
Let’s start with a simple rule.
If you’re afraid to put your name on what you post, no one should give it a second thought or respond. Simply banish the page to irrelevance.
Harsh?
Good.
Because somewhere along the way we decided “Antioch Patriot 1776,” “Concord Watchdog 47,”” Save Richmond” and “The Alliance of Dipshidiots” were legitimate sources of information instead of what they often are: digital graffiti artists with Wi-Fi.
People will spend 45 minutes arguing with a profile picture of an American flag riding on Brentwood corn while wearing Oakley’s with a large smile.
Think about that.
We’ve reached a point where someone named “Concerned Taxpayer” has more influence than people who actually attend meetings, file public records requests, interview sources, or sign their names to their work.
This is insanity.
Everyone Wants to Throw Punches… Nobody Wants to Show Their Face
The internet is full of trolls and people who fight like they’re in a dark alley.
Swing.
Run.
Hide.
Repeat.
They’re the kid who rang your doorbell and sprinted away.
They’re the people who leave a one-star review but never step foot in your business.
They’re the guys yelling from the cheap seats who have never had the balls to play the game.
Everyone’s a heavyweight when nobody knows who they are or what the agenda actually is.
Anonymous Doesn’t Mean Credible
Here’s a crazy idea for the community.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
We shouldn’t trust people who refuse to tell us who they are and hide behind fake accounts.
Wild concept, I know.
If your profile has:
- No real name…
- No real photo…
- No history…
- No accountability…
Congratulations.
You’ve got the credibility of a Craigslist ad that says, “Trust me, bro.”
The Internet Runs on Outrage
Anonymous pages have figured out the cheat code of social media.
Post something outrageous.
Leave out half the story.
Throw in a couple of question marks.
Add “What do YOU think?”
Then sit back and watch people fight in the comments like seagulls over a French fry—or in this case, sit back and watch the keyboard warriors go at it.
Engagement.
Mission accomplished.
Truth?
Optional.
Ask the Questions Nobody Else Is Asking
Instead of arguing over the post…
Ask about the person who made it.
Who runs this page?
Who are the admins?
How many are there?
Are they local?
Do they have political ambitions?
Do they have business interests?
Did they get fired?
Are they involved in a lawsuit?
Are they working for someone?
Do they simply enjoy stirring the pot because chaos is their hobby?
You don’t know.
Because they don’t want you to know.
That’s not transparency.
That’s camouflage.
If You’re Proud of Your Opinion…
…why hide it?
Journalists sign their stories.
Business owners stamp their name on goods and services – even buildings.
Candidates put their name on the ballot and contact information for the world to see.
Public comments, regardless of how bizarre they are, put their names on it.
Authors put their name on their work – papers, research, books.
Even people writing terrible Yelp reviews for the most part use their own account.
Yet somehow we’re supposed to trust “Delta Know it All 925.”
Come on man.
Here’s How to Spot a Fake or Agenda-Driven Account
Think of these as the internet version of a check-engine light.
- Generic profile picture.
- AI-generated logo.
- No real names attached.
- Every post is designed to make you angry.
- Never cites original documents.
- Never links to actual sources.
- Screenshots with no context.
- “I heard…”
- “People are saying…”
- “Sources tell me…” (Translation: My sisters cousins boyfriend)
- Blocks anyone asking legitimate questions or gives push back.
- Deletes posts when proven wrong instead of issuing corrections.
- Somehow every issue turns into the end of civilization.
One or two?
Maybe.
Ten of them?
You’re probably reading internet fan fiction.
We Live in the Age of Fake Everything
If you thought the last two election cycles were bad when it came to misinformation and fake content, you haven’t seen nothing yet as we are now dealing with it on local topics – like firehouses, administrative buildings, homeless housing, development, etc.
AI can clone voices.
Photos can be edited in seconds.
Videos can be manipulated – and have been on local officials.
Fake screenshots spread faster than real corrections.
Bots can now make a few screwballs sound like 10,000.
Propaganda has never been easier – making the minority sound like a super majority.
Which means our community standards should be going UP.
Instead, we’re out here believing a Facebook page that has less identifying information than a Craigslist couch listing.
Accountability Is a Beautiful Thing
If you’re going to accuse people… name yourself.
If you’re going to trash a local business… name yourself.
If you’re going to claim corruption… name yourself.
If you’re going to call someone a liar… name yourself.
If you’re going to influence thousands of people… name yourself.
Funny how the people constantly demanding “government transparency” often have less transparency than the government website they’re criticizing. It is equivalent to athletes who cry foul who often are committing the most fouls.
Stop Feeding the Trolls
The lack of transparency pages should be ignored, rejected, and deleted from your feed.
Every click is a vote.
Every share is a campaign donation.
Every comment tells Facebook, “Hey, show me more of this garbage.”
The algorithm doesn’t care if you’re supporting it or arguing with it.
It only sees engagement.
You’re paying trolls with attention.
And attention is internet currency.
The Bottom Line
If someone wants to be anonymous because they’re exposing genuine wrongdoing and need legal protection, that’s one thing. There are legitimate reasons whistleblowers exist.
But if you’re running a community page, pretending to be a trusted source of information while refusing to tell everyone who you are…
Don’t be surprised when people start asking questions.
In fact, they should.
Because trust isn’t built in the shadows.
Credibility isn’t anonymous.
And if you’re going to spend every day throwing rocks at everyone else, don’t act shocked when someone asks you to step out from behind the bush.
If you want to be taken seriously…
Put your name on it.
Otherwise, maybe stop expecting the rest of us to treat anonymous Facebook posts like they’re carved into stone tablets from Mount Truth.
Mike Burkholder
Publisher of ContraCosta.news
[email protected]
