As if the deaths, disappearances, property damage and illnesses caused by contaminated water weren’t enough, Valencia disaster Now the situation is complicated by the spread of dozens and dozens of hoaxes. In reality, hoaxes from DANA They are nothing new. Many of them appeared soon after the floods began, but as time goes on, false information becomes more widespread.
This is what usually happens with natural disasters in all parts of the world. From Hurricane Katrina in the US to the Kerala floods in India and the earthquakes that rocked Turkey and Syria in 2023, there are many hoaxes that not only confuse the population. They can also complicate rescue efforts.
It is currently unknown whether the DANA hoax is preventing Valencia rescue missionsbut they lead to increased tension. Tensions that, when the population is in such a vulnerable state, can be very dangerous. It is logical that there are people who benefit from this. But why? What makes someone spread hoaxes in such a dramatic situation? And why do we tend to believe them rather than true information?
Social networks are like a double-edged sword
Information about natural disasters has changed greatly since its inception. social media. This is partly a useful change. Information reaches the public much faster, who in turn can use these channels to organize and offer help. It is also easier to identify missing persons and generally helps to generate sympathy for the victims.
But unfortunately, social media has also contributed to the spread of hoaxes. In fact, according to research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, false information 70% more likely to spread on social networks than the truth. This is why the DANA hoax goes so far.
One of the most discussed issues in recent days has been the question of Bonaire shopping center parking. It is common knowledge that underground garages have become a death trap for many stranded people. surprised by the water while they tried to get their car out. Some of them were very difficult to access and took time to reach and thoroughly clean. Therefore, they were afraid to discover many victims inside.
Out of this fear came news that dozens of people had been found dead in the parking lot. In some cases there were even hundreds of them. They said that this information was hidden from the population. However, when this information began to spread, it was impossible to give a death toll because the Bonaire site had not yet been drained. Finally, Military Emergency Unit (UME) announced that after clearing maneuvers were completed, many vehicles were found, but no people, living or dead.
Why do we believe in the DANA hoax?
People are very bad at getting along with uncertainty. There are studies that show that we prefer bad news to uncertainty. For example, we are more relaxed about being fired than not knowing what will happen to us when people in the company are fired.
We would rather know that the next train will be 1 hour late than not know when it will arrive. In general, we tolerate bad news better than no news.
That’s why fake newslike the DANA hoaxes, resonate very well with the population. This is usually bad news, but it gives the numbers. At the moment, only the numbers of identified deaths are officially known. It is clear that, unfortunately, there will be more victims. However, this cannot be officially announced until the bodies are rescued. It’s uncertainty that our brains can’t handle. DANA hoaxes that are being talked about specific death toll. Although these are terrifying numbers.
Who better to spread fake news?
Most people who spread DANA hoaxes do just that. unconsciously. They don’t know it’s fake news. However, those who initially launch them usually have hidden agendas.
A good example of this is what happened in the United States with Hurricane Milton. News spread that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) He directed financial assistance funds to finance illegal migrants. This naturally caused great resonance and discontent among the population in general and among people affected by the natural disaster in particular. However, over time it became clear that the news came from a circle Trump voters. Such dissatisfaction with the current government suited the Republican candidate.
Something similar happens with the DANA hoaxes. After a natural disaster should not talk about political ideologies. Everyone must unite to save the city. However, unfortunately, this is not the case. People’s vulnerability after these types of events is often exploited to create discontent and gain political benefits.
All you have to do is see that some social demonstrations are organized by political groups and that many leaders take advantage of this to literally sling mud at the opposition. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was recently attacked while he was visiting the affected area. A far-right political group claimed responsibility for the attack. And so with everything.
Why do we insist on finding the culprits?
Just as our brains cannot tolerate uncertainty, they are also very bad at dealing with any situation that arises. not under your control. We hate what we cannot control. So sometimes the only way to deal with the emotions of anger or sadness is to look for blame.
The people who spread such fake news know this too. GIVEN to the hoax. In this case, of course, there are culprits. Employers did not send employees home, and the regional government, which was responsible for notifying and seeking help, did so too late. However, this does not seem to be enough. The public needs more blame, so those political groups that laugh at climate change worries are now complaining about those who don’t know how to deal with the consequences of climate change. climate change.
Once again, the urgent need of our brain is used for party purposes.
Consequences of the DANA hoax
fake news which are launched after natural disasters such as the DANA hoaxes, they can be very dangerous in different ways.
This was observed, for example, after the floods in Kerala. During the rescue maneuvers, a fake video went viral showing a leak in Mulleaperiya Dam. This caused great fear and unrest among the population, which significantly hampered rescue and cleanup maneuvers in the area.
In other cases, such as what happened in the United States, it gives rise to distrust of the rescuers themselvesso rescue maneuvers are again difficult.
There is also a lot of false or exaggerated news regarding robbery. In fact, this was one of the most common DANA hoaxes. At first they were home video and then the media themselves spread images of people who have nothing to eat buying food in supermarkets, or barefoot neighbors “stealing” sneakers. All this was regarded as robbery. Crime is wreaking havoc. But this is not entirely true.
After exposure Hurricane Katrina Something similar happened in the United States in 2018, as a result of which two unarmed people were shot and killed by police.
Despite all this, everyone has a responsibility to try to stop the DANA hoax. Anger, sadness and disappointment are legitimate feelings. The search for the guilty is completely natural. Moreover, in a sense they exist. But what we must try our best to avoid is the spread of false information from those who are not truly interested in helping victims.
The Valencians are the most important here. All those people who lost their home, their loved ones, their car or their jobs. Those people who watched in panic as the current carried away all their dreams and illusions. Those workers who, without a car or a home, have to go to work so as not to lose the only thing they have left. Let’s channel our anger into helping them to the best of our ability. But without playing into the hands of those who spread DANA hoaxes. This will only bring more problems, and there are already enough of them.
Source: Hiper Textual
