Senate Intel chair: Media oversimplifying 2016 investigation

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) used his opening statement at Wednesday’s hearing on Russia’s use of social media during last year’s presidential race to push back on the press’s coverage of the 2016 probes.

“A lot of folks, including many in the media, have tried to reduce this entire conversation to one premise: foreign actors conducted a surgically executed covert operation to help elect a United States president,” Burr said. “I’m here to tell you this story does not simplify that easily.”

Representatives from Facebook, Google and Twitter appeared Wednesday morning before the Senate Intelligence panel to respond to questions about Russian interference.

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Burr argued the media focused on the number of targeted social media ads that ran in certain states, such as Wisconsin, which narrowly went to President Trump. However, more targeted ads appeared in Maryland, a state easily won by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, he pointed out.

It’s human nature to try and simplify a complex story, Burr said, but that can lead to bias.

“Given the complexity of what we’ve seen, if anyone tells you they’ve got this all figured out, they’re kidding themselves,” Burr said. “And we can’t afford to kid ourselves about what happened last year, and continues to happen today.”

The hearing marked the second of three sessions for the tech companies. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday expressed frustration with the companies’ response so far to Russia’s use of their platforms in the election. The companies will also appear at a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday afternoon.