<
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/lasers-didn-t-start-the-fire-wild-conspiracy-theories-follow-victoria-s-bushfires-20260123-p5nwl2.html>
"The rapid spread of conspiracy theories about Victoria’s recent bushfires –
such as a government-orchestrated internet blackout, and lasers causing the
blazes – has prompted warnings that misinformation will become more frequent as
natural disasters increase because of climate change.
Premier Jacinta Allan was accused by some locals in Alexandra, which narrowly
avoided disaster from the nearby Longwood fire, of deliberately switching off
the internet in the area.
Before the premier’s visit on January 13, government officials walking through
the town, in central Victoria, were approached by locals who made the claim
that the internet was being shut off intentionally. Some of these people were
among the dozens who tried to confront Allan before and after a press
conference and heckled her from outside Alexandra District Health.
Many locals asked valid logistical questions, such as when they would be able
to access roads and provide feed to their livestock. They also questioned
whether the government was adequately funding the Country Fire Authority.
Some locals also demanded to know why communications weren’t working in the
region.
Not long after, a screenshot of a WhatsApp message was circulated, alleging
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas had told locals the government had shut down
internet and phone services to stop the spread of misinformation. Others
speculated the internet was switched off to coincide with Allan’s visit and
prevent locals from organising against her.
There is no evidence to suggest this is true. Premiers and other government
officials do not have the power to switch off internet services. Communications
were patchy as phone and internet towers were damaged in the fires, and
services including electricity went down, prompting calls to better secure this
infrastructure in emergencies.
But the rumour was just one of several conspiracy theories that emerged after
400,000 hectares were burnt. Some online posts, appearing on Facebook profiles
and in local community groups, were shared hundreds of times across communities
with small populations.
Other conspiracies circulated online include that the bushfires were
deliberately lit to encourage wind farms. In the 2019-20 Black Summer
bushfires, a similar rumour alleged the fires were lit to enable high-speed
rail.
Another theory was that the fires were started by “energy weapons” such as
lasers. This has become a regular accusation by conspiracy theorists for
bushfires around the world.
Posts circulating online alleged that houses were burnt but vegetation was not
– a claim that AAP FactCheck demonstrated to be false.
Experts are warning that the spread of these types of conspiracies will only
become more common as extreme weather events increase."
Via
Guardian Australia.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
