Partisan mailer poses as Catholic newspaper in Arizona

By JOSH KELETY
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — A publication masquerading as a Catholic newspaper is showing up in mailboxes around Phoenix, spreading misinformation around the upcoming midterm elections. The Arizona Catholic Tribune, which features a tagline that reads “Real data. Real value. Real news,” is a partisan conservative publication with content critical of local Democratic candidates. The paper is also not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, which has disavowed it. The publication is part of a multi-state network of partisan online and print publications posing as local media outlets. A researcher who has studied the network says it has more than 1,200 news sites.