California Wildfires: Governor Accuses Elon Musk of Spreading Lies
Escalating Online Row over Misinformation
WASHINGTON: California governor Gavin Newsom has accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of spreading "lies" about the state’s response to deadly wildfires ravaging Los Angeles, escalating their online row over swirling misinformation.
Musk’s Misinformation on X
Musk, the owner of Tesla and SpaceX, has become increasingly influential on his social media platform X, with over 212 million followers. However, he has often courted criticism for amplifying misinformation. In a post on X, Musk blamed the huge loss of homes in Los Angeles on "bad governance at a state and local level that resulted in a shortage of water."
"(Musk) exposed by firefighters for his own lies," Newsom posted late Sunday, alongside a video clip showing the tycoon asking a firefighter whether water availability was an issue. The firefighter replied that there was water in "several reservoirs," and added that battling large-scale fires required supplementing the effort with water trucks.
Viral, Misleading Videos
The platform has seen an explosion of right-wing misinformation about the deadly wildfires, researchers say. Even though months of dry weather and strong winds created optimal conditions for the wildfires, narratives on X have singled out the state policies such as practices to increase diversity in the Los Angeles fire force as a culprit.
One viral video debunked by the misinformation watchdog NewsGuard had falsely claimed fire department officials were desperately using women’s handbags to fight the flames because their resources had been diverted to "woke causes" and war assistance to Ukraine. However, the water-filled pouches seen in the video were actually "canvas bags," carried by firefighters because they were easier to use to extinguish small sets of flames than having to haul out a hose, the entertainment news site TMZ cited local officials as saying.
Looting and Misinformation
In a separate spat over the weekend, Newsom accused Musk of "encouraging looting by lying," after the billionaire amplified a post on X that falsely claimed the governor and his fellow Democrats had "decriminalised looting." "It’s illegal – as it always has been," Newsom responded, amid concerns of a looting spree in areas where people were forced to flee the fires. "Bad actors will be arrested and prosecuted," he added.
Facebook’s Role in Spreading Misinformation
Wildfire misinformation was also swirling on other platforms, including the Meta-owned Facebook. Authorities recently warned of a false Facebook post urging people to travel to California to join a clean-up crew in areas affected by the wildfires. "We would like to clarify that there is no such opportunity available," the state’s fire protection department wrote on its website.
Meta’s Policy Overhaul
Meta triggered a global backlash last week after it announced it was scrapping third-party fact-checking in the US and introducing a crowd-sourced moderation method similar to X. Disinformation researchers have criticised the policy overhaul, warning that it risked opening the floodgates for false narratives. Facebook currently pays to use fact-checking from around 80 organisations globally on the platform, as well as on WhatsApp and Instagram. AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook’s fact-checking scheme.
Conclusion
The California wildfires have highlighted the urgent need for effective fact-checking and responsible social media practices. In the face of misinformation, it is crucial that we hold our leaders and platform owners accountable for spreading lies and promoting harmful narratives. As the world grapples with the devastating consequences of climate change, we must prioritize truth, accuracy, and transparency in our online discourse.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation with the California wildfires?
A: The California wildfires have killed at least 24 people and displaced tens of thousands. The exact number of affected individuals is still unknown.
Q: What is the cause of the wildfires?
A: The exact cause of the wildfires is still under investigation, but experts have cited months of dry weather and strong winds as contributing factors.
Q: What is the role of social media in spreading misinformation about the wildfires?
A: Social media platforms, including X and Facebook, have been used to spread misinformation about the wildfires, including false claims about the causes and consequences of the disaster.
Q: What is being done to address the spread of misinformation?
A: Fact-checking organisations, such as NewsGuard, have been working to debunk the misinformation and promote accurate reporting. Social media platforms have also been under pressure to take action to reduce the spread of misinformation.