By Free Republic | Created at 2025-01-11 05:59:59 | Updated at 2025-01-11 08:49:58
3 hours ago
L.A. firestorms bring waves of fire myths, disinformation. Here’s how to debunk it and not get fooled
LA TImes ^
Posted on 01/10/2025 9:39:40 PM PST by TigerClaws
As quickly as the Sunset fire started charring through Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, an AI-generated photo of the Hollywood sign ablaze was rapidly circulating on social media.
It was just one example of misinformation surrounding the Los Angeles-area fires spreading on social media, and experts warn that false information during natural disaster events disrupts recovery efforts and harms community trust. **
Misinformation can emotionally exploit a situation, hijack conversations from emergency information and, in some cases, lead to financial scams, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
**
Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid misinformation, Sanchez-Rola said. It’s unrealistic to expect people to stay off of social media because official sources including first responders, disaster preparedness agencies, local officials and emergency response organizations are relaying their information there.
They can, however, take steps to identify misinformation and avoid sharing it on social media platforms or in private conversations, he said.
He and other sources shared some guidance on how to identify false posts:
Recognize how a post makes you feel. You might already be feeling a sense of urgency because of the natural disaster, and posts with false information have headlines or captions that are meant to play on those feelings.
Research before sharing. Don’t immediately click to share content you see online without doing a little digging about it first.
Question the source. Check who the author/owner of the post and social media account is. You should also cross-reference the posted information with what local and state government officials, first responders, disaster relief agencies, known nonprofit organizations and trusted media outlets are saying on their official websites. If it’s a charitable organization, you can verify its legitimacy by checking with tools Charity Navigator and GuideStar.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; disinformation; firestorms; gaslighting; lafires; laslimes; losangeles; misinfo; wildfires
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An amazing piece of spin.
1. Biden said the lack of water in the hydrants was due to the power being cut.
2. Newsom asked for an investigation to see what was responsible for the hydrants not working.
But to dare question anything is to harm public safety!
These folks really hate the First Amendment and truth.
1 posted on 01/10/2025 9:39:40 PM PST by TigerClaws
To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...
2 posted on 01/10/2025 9:42:46 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
To: SunkenCiv
Now FOX 11 LA saying Fire Chief hasn’t been fired. Said Daily Mail story was false.
3 posted on 01/10/2025 9:47:19 PM PST by doc maverick
To: doc maverick
4 posted on 01/10/2025 9:52:28 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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