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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; losangelesslimes; mediawingofthednc; misinfo; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; 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
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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.)
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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
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To: doc maverick

That’s why I linked this later topic:

https://freerepublic.com/focus/news/4289420/posts


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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To: TigerClaws
Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid misinformation...

Happily, there is!

Just close down the Prog Socialist, Far Leftist Media, and imprison their owners, editors and writers.

It would be most effective to start with The Los Angeles Times and work up to the less deceptive Rags.

5 posted on 01/10/2025 10:00:04 PM PST by Navy Patriot (I Voted For President Trump, Celebrate Recivilization!)
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To: TigerClaws

The original twilight zone episode “Monsters are due on Maple Street” deals with misinformation, mass panic, etc.. wonder if Jihadists are using this technique...


6 posted on 01/10/2025 10:08:05 PM PST by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder tro find. )
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To: Navy Patriot; All

Newspapers are billionaire blogs now.

Patrick Soon-Shiong, who made a billion+ with a cancer drug, owns the Los Angeles Times.

Bezos owns the Washington Post.

Billionaire Mexican Carlos Slim bailed out the New York Times.

Newspapers are money losers but they are a way to peddle influence.

Six companies (see below) own most of American media. They use “news” for political influence and to position them to effect legislation and taxes.

https://www.webfx.com/blog/internet/the-6-companies-that-own-almost-all-media-infographic/

I find better coverage of American news in English papers like Daily Mail than anything here - outside FR!


7 posted on 01/10/2025 10:08:55 PM PST by TigerClaws
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To: Getready

If you look at the man arrested, he looked to be central American. Could be cartel, gangs, but - for sure - there are many bad actors out there.

Here are the steps:

1. Get a low-level stooge to start fire;
2. Evacuations;
3. Loot; and
4. Burned up evidence of houses that were robbed.

Rinse and repeat.


8 posted on 01/10/2025 10:10:30 PM PST by TigerClaws
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To: TigerClaws

It’s always a myth or disinformation until it isn’t.


9 posted on 01/10/2025 10:16:24 PM PST by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
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To: TigerClaws

R Son.


10 posted on 01/10/2025 10:20:23 PM PST by Salamander (Please visit my profile page to help me go home again. https://www.givesendgo.com/GCRRD)
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To: TigerClaws

Right, like we’re ever going to listen to these buffoons…I mean, “experts”…and take their advice seriously. That ship has sailed.


11 posted on 01/10/2025 10:35:33 PM PST by Prince of Space (Trump 2024!)
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To: TigerClaws

Still trying to find that woman wearing the upside down cross you mentioned in an earlier thread from yesterday.


12 posted on 01/10/2025 10:38:15 PM PST by Blue Highway
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To: TigerClaws

There’s an interesting documentary about London’s criminal gangs during the bombing blitz in WW II. Using the bombing they could rob, steal and kill all they wanted.


13 posted on 01/10/2025 10:53:41 PM PST by DeplorablePaul
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To: Blue Highway

11 minutes in here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5zhDQ04YH8


14 posted on 01/10/2025 10:54:56 PM PST by TigerClaws
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To: DeplorablePaul

What’s the title of the documentary? I’d love to see it.


15 posted on 01/10/2025 10:56:25 PM PST by TigerClaws
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To: TigerClaws

I hope the owner of the ka times fires all of his reporters. They all lie, we the people make the rules


16 posted on 01/10/2025 11:16:47 PM PST by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
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To: TigerClaws

During the windstorms, the power lines are pulled down when the power poles fall down or when trees fall into them. The power companies cut the power to keep the power lines from sparking into the brush and causing a fire. Those water pumps for the fire hydrant system should have had standby generators. Complete morons.


17 posted on 01/10/2025 11:57:01 PM PST by jonrick46 (Leftniks chase illusions of motherships at the end of the pier.)
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To: TigerClaws

Article:

“Question the source.”

See my tagline.

Never trust any mainstream media outlet.


18 posted on 01/11/2025 12:05:38 AM PST by cgbg (It is time to pull the Deep State out of the mass media--like ticks from a dog.)
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To: TigerClaws

What we need is like .....a Ministry of Truth to filter all information through before it is disseminated.


19 posted on 01/11/2025 12:13:46 AM PST by Tzimisce ( )
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If one reads the article they admit to their mistakes and negligence. Fact is the city planners and engineers did not have a properly functioning water supply and should be charged with negligence.
20 posted on 01/11/2025 12:17:15 AM PST by Plumberman27
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