by Sara Fischer and Andrew Freedman
October 8, 2024
Introduction:
Read more here: https://www.axios.com/2024/10/08/fema- ... rmationThe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warned Tuesday that falsehoods related to hurricanes are significantly impeding their response efforts, and putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida and others pick up the pieces from Hurricane Helene.
Why it matters: Amid one ongoing natural disaster, and with another on the horizon, the federal agency took time from preparation and response efforts to caution the public about rampant misinformation.
Former President Trump and others in the GOP have amplified claims that FEMA's response to Helene was biased against Republicans and that money for those impacted by the storm was diverted to housing for illegal immigrants.
On Tuesday, FEMA launched a fact-checking page regarding its storm response to Hurricane Helene.
Driving the news: Tuesday's press briefing was dedicated specifically to combatting mis- and disinformation.
caltrek: Deliberately spreading misinformation that hampers emergency response should be subject to criminal prosecution. This is not an issue of prior restraint, but rather one of holding individuals responsible for the damage they are doing to the storm recovery effort. Freedom of speech in the U.S. is not absolute, it is just more liberal than most other countries. Such prosecutions would not destroy that superiority. Of course, that the speech is made with reckless disregard for the truth and has had a negative impact on the recovery effort would have to be proven.
