The distortions in News Corp media were so egregious that even Rupert Murdoch's son James has launched a public critique.
. The fact that some arrests had been made of individuals who had broken fire safety laws by improper disposal of cigarettes etc. was twisted by the Murdoch media into the completely false claim that the fires were primarily caused by arson. But in fact—as reported by—"Victoria police say there is no evidence any of the devastating bushfires in the state were caused by arson, contrary to the spread of global disinformation exaggerating arsonist arrests during the current crisis.
But the larger implicit untruth was that the source of ignition was even relevant here. There are many potential sources of wildfire ignition, human and natural.
Michael E. Mann is Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Pennsylvania State University. His most recent book, with Tom Toles, is.
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