(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . An Example of 'Trusted Media' Passing along Disinformation, instead of Correcting it [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-10-06 — Instead investigating, fact checking, and setting the record straight — far too often media sources act like a ‘fun house mirror,’ and simply reflect back the rumors, as distorted as they usually are. “The truth” these days, falls to the eye of the beholders. They have assumed the role of disinterested third party observers. As if they have no stake, no agency, in how the public gets informed. Typically this professional laziness is simply excused under the guise of “both-sidesism” — as in ‘both sides have a point of view, and who is to say which one is valid?’ ... […] And if what the media tells them is happening seems entirely disconnected from their [busy] lives or muddied by bothsidesism, they have no reason to care. […] Another consequence of bothsidesism is that there are no repercussions for spreading lies and arguing in bad faith. […] In the best of times, I get frustrated with bothsidesism because it fails to properly hold policy-makers to account. But with the next presidential election less than a year away, I’m increasingly concerned about the effect it will have on all our futures. theNation.com — Dec 30, 2019 When journalists/reporters/opinion-setters no longer see their roles as “referees and umpires” — as the arbitrator between facts and lies — then far too often they end up perpetuating the wildfire of Disinformation. Instead of quenching it. Excuse the mixed metaphors please. Put more simply, when reporters repeat the lies , without calling them lies, they become a conduit for the Disinformation, instead of its antidote, instead of its cure. This is what that “conduit” looks like, as the Disinformation keeps getting amplified and passed along, as if on automatic pilot. AKA, “Let the readers decide ...” Here’s a case in point, from a generally ‘trusted’ news source: Reuters. Though it covers an important Disinformation effort targeting the fallout from Hurricane Helene, via-viz FEMA’s recovery response — I was hard pressed to find any CORRECTION of the intentional, conspiratorial swirling LIES, actually interfering with the response. US officials struggle to quash Hurricane Helene conspiracy theories Reuters — 10/6/2024 [...] [emphasis added] Local and national government officials say they are trying to combat the rumors, including one spread by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. One of the more far-fetched rumors is that Helene was an engineered storm to allow corporations to mine regional lithium deposits. Others accuse the administration of President Joe Biden of using federal disaster funds to help migrants in the country illegally, or suggest officials are deliberately abandoning bodies in the cleanup. [...] The conspiracy theories come at a pivotal time for rescue and recovery efforts following the storm, one of the deadliest U.S. hurricanes this century. [...] White House officials on Friday accused some Republican leaders and conservative media of intentionally peddling rumors to divide Americans in a way that could harm disaster relief efforts. […] FEMA has been the target of so many falsehoods it has set up a rumor response page on its website to try to tamp them down. […] I’m well passed “fair use” in this citation, so please read the article for yourself. Maybe I’m missing something here — and there actually is a “correction of the record” and “statement of the facts” …? But the article reeks of “both-sidesism” to me. It is written is such a way, so as to not offend either side. One point of view “says” this; the other point of view “accuses” that. And who is say which view point is right? Ah, excuse me, but I thought that was the role of the referee, the journalist, the reporter — to distinguish Facts from Fiction. You know, that public service for those of us too busy with life and work and survival, to research all these Lies for ourselves ... Hell, it’s in your Mission Statement, for gosh-sake: Our purpose Inform the way forward Together, we help inform the way forward to a more understanding, trusting world for all What does it mean to inform the way forward? Together with the professionals and institutions we serve, we help uphold the rule of law, turn the wheels of commerce, catch bad actors, report the facts , and provide trusted, unbiased information to people all over the world. Our role at Thomson Reuters is to serve our customers, pursuing justice, truth, and transparency. www.thomsonreuters.com [emphasis added] — What really was the tip-off for me, in the milquetoast report on the rampant FEMA Disinformation (above) was simple observation that FEMA had to set up a “rumor response page on its website to try to tamp them down” — WHILE FAILING TO PROVIDE A LINK to that web page! The article provided half a dozen other links, including to the conspiracies. The FEMA Fact-check link however, not so much. Let the busy readers find that on their own … if they are so inclined. — Thus the motivation for today’s post. Perhaps someone will find this Fact-check useful … perhaps not (?) But at least you NOW have the option, to read the FACTS for yourself. Help keep yourself, your family and your community safe after Hurricane Helene by being aware of rumors and scams and sharing official information from trusted sources. Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things: Find trusted sources of information. Share information from trusted sources. Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources. Rumors [...] Fact: The FAA is not restricting access for recovery operations. The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to make sure everyone is operating safely in very crowded and congested airspace. [...] Fact: FEMA provides assistance to survivors regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. [...] Fact: FEMA cannot seize your property or land. Applying for disaster assistance does not grant FEMA or the federal government authority or ownership of your property or land. When you apply for disaster assistance a FEMA inspector may be sent to verify the damage on your home. This is one of many factors reviewed to determine what kind of disaster assistance you may be eligible for. If the results of the inspection deem your home uninhabitable, that information is only used to determine the amount of FEMA assistance you may receive to make your home safe, sanitary and functional. [...] Fact: FEMA is still accepting assistance applications throughout areas affected by Helene. For current application timelines, visit disasterassistance.gov. You can also see if applications are being accepted on FEMA’s state specific Helene disaster webpages; Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. [...] Fact: FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. If you were affected by Helene, do not hesitate to apply for disaster assistance as there is a variety of help available for different needs. [...] Fact: This is false: FEMA does not ask for or generally accept any cash donations or volunteers for disaster response. We do encourage people who want to help to volunteer with or donate cash to reputable voluntary or charitable organizations. After a disaster, cash is often the best way to help as it provides the greatest flexibility for these reputable organizations working on the ground to purchase exactly what is needed. If you encounter someone claiming to represent FEMA and asking for donations, be careful as that is likely a scam. Government employees will never solicit money. Learn more about how to help after a disaster: How to Help After Hurricane Helene [...] Rumor: FEMA will only provide $750 to disaster survivors to support their recovery. Fact: This is false. This is a type of assistance that you may be approved for soon after you apply, called Serious Needs Assistance. It is an upfront, flexible payment to help cover essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies. There are other forms of assistance that you may qualify for to receive and Serious Needs Assistance is an initial payment you may receive while FEMA assesses your eligibility for additional funds. As your application continues to be reviewed, you may still receive additional forms of assistance for other needs such as support for temporary housing, personal property and home repair costs. If you have questions about your disaster assistance application and what you qualify for, contact us at 1-800-621-3362 to speak with a FEMA representative in your language. [...] It would have been “nice” if the writer of the Reuters “rumor mill” article had pointed the reader to this FEMA statement of ACTUAL FACTS. You know, put on those reporter’s “shoes” … chase down and correct the Lies. Then again, you can’t be too careful these days. Liars have as much right to deceive — as truth tellers have to inform. What is a weary reporter to do, but meekly reflect both competing points of views? It’s not like there are any lives at stake or anything … [snark] Who’s to really say what is “fact or fiction?” Such is the sorry state of “the news” these days. — — PS. Here’s another fact-based report, I did the other day, on the White House recovery response to Hurricane Helene: Facts, though often boring, are truly essential. Now more than ever. Sorry, not sorry. — — How quickly do they forget, and move on … to even MORE outrageous, uncorrected LIES. 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