Rush Limbaugh did not discretely say the exact words, but he implicated that social media is creating fake news about Hurricane Irma. Everyone knows that the hurricane has hit Barbuda and Antigua with about a 185 miles per hour speed. Limbaugh stated, "“These storms, once they actually hit, are never as high as they're reported,” Limbaugh claimed on his syndicated radio show. He added that “the graphics have been created to make it look like the ocean's having an exorcism, just getting rid of the devil here in the form of this hurricane, this bright red stuff.” (Borchers, Washington Post) Rush Limbaugh theory of the reasoning why fake news is posted about the storm is tied with money. When we are seeing news on social media such as the storm that could cause devastation we run to the store and buy out the grocery store as people in fear of not knowing how long one will be locked up. The advertising causes a panic on people that create a vicious cycle tied with money. Limbaugh also stated, "“I wish that not everything that involved news had become corrupted and politicized, but it just has,” he said. (Borchers, Washington Post) Limbaugh continues to argue that how can President Trump claim that the political media has become a dishonest media has created the fake news. Rush also questions in the article that weather reports are phony along with the false story. He also questions Alex Jones integrity who is known as the best according to President Trump and an excellent reputation. But Jones challenges the government "use the technologies to kill [the storm] out in the gulf.” (Borchers, Washington Post)
I thought this was an interesting article to share since Hurricanes are in this season and very relevant to the news.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/09/06/rush-limbaughs-dangerous-suggestion-that-hurricane-irma-is-fake-news/?utm_term=.eeb4919f74bd
Hi Abigail,
ReplyDeleteWhat a strange article, thanks for posting it. I went and read the whole thing just so i could make sure I was reading it right. I think what is also sad is that by saying these outlandish statements he is perhaps trying to get people to tune into his shows. If he didn't really believe that the storm would be as bad as the media predicted then why evacuate himself? What he is saying to his audience is dangerous, people listen to him and end up deciding to stay and people then have to be rescued and that put other people's lives at risk as well. so, he has evacuated but put other people that have listened to him lives at risk. Fake news at its best.
Hello Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteThe articles I find about fake news is crazy. The different articles and the concept is quite mind blowing. It’s hard to truly find what is realistic in the news.