During disasters, people flock to social media to share warnings, coordinate in real-time, and share images of the destruction. But others use the chaos of breaking news events to spread false information.
On today’s episode, we’re exploring the rise of fake news in the environmental space, from #HawaiiNotUkraine to a news site spreading climate disinformation in Wyoming. Plus, we speak to the people fighting back, including a community fact-checker correcting earthquake disinformation on X.
Featuring Celeste Labedz, Carline Orr Bueno, and Jem Bartholomew
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LINKS
This article, written before Elon Musk took over X, profiled Celeste Labedz and some other folks fighting disinformation on social media. (Poynter)
Check out Caroline Orr Bueno’s substack newsletter, Weaponized, and her piece about the #HawaiiNotUkraine hashtag.
Jem Bartholomew’s story about the sudden growth of a Wyoming news site that’s rife with climate disinformation. (CJR)
CREDITS
Host: Nate Hegyi
Reported and produced by Jeongyoon Han
Mixed by Taylor Quimby
Edited by Taylor Quimby, with help from Felix Poon and Nate Hegyi.
NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio is Rebecca Lavoie.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.
Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio.
If you’ve got a question for the Outside/Inbox hotline, give us a call! We’re always looking for rabbit holes to dive down into. Leave us a voicemail at: 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837). Don’t forget to leave a number so we can call you back.
