LA Fires Have Bought Out Finger Pointing And Misinformation

Social media has allowed for first-hand accounts of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles to be shared with the masses. Unfortunately, as has been seen in other natural disasters, what has spread nearly as quickly as the fires is misinformation.

Claims were made that California Governor Gavin Newsom had refused to release millions of gallons of water to protect smelt in the northern part of the state, while misinformation was posted that the Los Angeles Fire Department's budget was cut.

Neither was true.

"The Los Angeles area is experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in recent years. Social media platforms and traditional news media will continue to share fire-related content as the situation evolves. As the areas affected are beginning to be surveyed, we are likely to see more devastating images and videos in the coming days," explained Dr. Julianna Jeanine Kirschner, lecturer at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California.

An Important Means Of Communication In Times Of Crisis

Just as social media proved to be a vital lifeline during the 2011 pro-democracy "Arab Spring" movement in the Middle East, and more recently in reminding the world of the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the online platforms provide information from the ground during recent natural disasters.

This highlights the ability of those to share information in a way that the traditional media cannot.

"Social media platforms have been actively sharing content about the Los Angeles area fires. Users have been posting their well-being status and information they have about local properties," said Kirschner.

"We still do not know the extent of the damage yet, so users are seeking information anywhere they can find it. Social media has been filling that void with content, but the accuracy of some content shared continues to be unclear at this time, specifically on loss of life," Kirschner continued. "Some people have learned about the loss of their homes via social media."

She further explained that social media users are sharing their understandable dismay over the fires and their impact. As a result, some themes have emerged from the content that is visible so far.

"Users are expressing their sadness and anxiety over the uncertainty of the situation; global warming and climate change have been consistently cited as reasons for the significance of these fires; and outrage has been directed toward insurance companies that have limited or no presence in California, especially in fire-prone areas," Kirschner added.

Lack Of Confirmation – A Common Problem On Social Media

Where social media again falls short is that information is posted often without confirmation and with no fact-checking – such as the social media reports that the famed Hollywood sign was burning, which it was not. However, many other iconic landmarks have suffered damage or been destroyed.

The lack of confirmation on social media, and the ability to simply repost, continues to allow the aforementioned misinformation to spread. It has even resulted in unnecessary finger-pointing and has politicized an issue.

"As with all issues and controversies these days, social media offers a mix of factual information, conjecture and conspiracy theories," said social media analyst Greg Sterling, co-founder of Near Media.

"And because there's less and less moderation, it's an increasingly problematic resource for people looking for facts. It can be helpful for anecdotal and first-person information," Sterling added. "But its utility as a news source is otherwise very limited or potentially counterproductive."