Navigating the Misinformation Minefield in Crisis Response
How FEMA, extremists, and free speech concerns are shaping the hurricane relief narrative
Welcome to this week’s TL;dr from Good Government Files, where I curate three timely articles for busy government professionals (and those who love them). With the presidential election less than a month away and two hurricanes that have pummeled the southeast United States, crisis response is more politicized than ever.
As FEMA tackles both hurricanes and misinformation, the agency warns that false narratives are complicating relief efforts and eroding public trust. Journalist Matt Taibbi, however, reminds us that efforts to curb misinformation can veer into censorship if not carefully managed. Meanwhile, extremist groups are exploiting these crises to spread anti-government sentiment, adding to the challenges for public institutions.
For government officials, the path forward involves a tricky balance: combat misinformation, safeguard free speech, and strengthen community trust — all while navigating an increasingly polarized landscape. Piece of cake, right?! Let’s dive in.
FEMA Chief Issues Dire Warning on Hurricane Disinformation
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell issued a stark warning about the dangers of misinformation as the agency manages hurricane recovery efforts, Axios reports. With false claims proliferating, particularly on social media, FEMA faces not only the challenge of disaster response but also the task of countering misinformation that could put lives at risk. These rumors, some amplified by former President Trump and other GOP figures, allege that FEMA’s response is biased, and funds are being misused. Such narratives not only erode trust in FEMA but also deter people from seeking aid or complying with safety protocols. Here are the takeaways:
Misinformation Puts Lives at Risk: Falsehoods about FEMA’s actions and the government’s response to hurricanes have created confusion, with Criswell noting that misinformation is “significantly impeding” FEMA’s ability to assist storm victims. President Biden called this wave of disinformation “un-American” because it endangers lives at a time when “people are scared to death.”
Impact on Aid and Morale: The spread of disinformation has led some storm victims to mistrust FEMA and avoid applying for essential aid. Criswell highlighted the danger of this trend, stating, “I worry that they won't apply for assistance, which means I can’t get them the necessary items they need to support them.”
Politicization of Disasters: Criswell expressed disappointment at the politicization of hurricane relief, pointing out that these narratives seem “more about politics than truly helping people.” FEMA’s new fact-checking page aims to counter falsehoods, as the agency also works to reassure the public that local law enforcement is cooperating fully with federal efforts. As Criswell noted, “Sheriffs are not turning our folks away … they are making sure that we’re getting the resources in and helping to dispel some of the rumors.”
The Hurricane Relief Panic Is Here
Veteran journalist Matt Taibbi argues the recent hurricanes have spurred a new wave of misinformation panic, with politicians and media calling for increased censorship on social media platforms. Taibbi compares the current situation to the COVID-19 pandemic, where calls for restricting speech were framed as necessary for public safety. He suggests the push to combat hurricane misinformation may ultimately lead to a clampdown on free speech, as officials seek to monitor and remove content they deem harmful. My takeaways:
Contradictory Messaging from Officials: Taibbi points out that mixed messages from officials are fueling public confusion. Homeland Security’s initial claim that FEMA was running out of funds was later walked back, leading to inconsistent narratives that echo the trust issues seen during COVID-19. As Taibbi notes, this back-and-forth leaves people questioning the accuracy of official statements. Here’s his receipt.
Pressure on Social Media Platforms: In a letter, Democratic lawmakers called on social media companies to aggressively monitor and remove disaster-related misinformation. A letter to platforms emphasizes the need for “rapid removal” of harmful content, particularly from “large-reaching accounts,” as part of an effort to manage narratives around the hurricane response. Taibbi argues this approach could silence legitimate critiques along with falsehoods.
Free Speech Concerns Amid Disaster Management: Taibbi warns that efforts to control misinformation could set a precedent for broader censorship. Reflecting on recent calls for more control over digital platforms, he suggests that officials might leverage crises to push for legislation like Europe’s Digital Services Act, increasing state influence over private companies’ content moderation decisions.
Note 1: If you haven’t read Taibbi’s reporting on The Twitter Files, I highly recommend it. They inform the concerns he’s expressing in this article.
Note 2: This Friday’s GGF deep dive will examine a public health official’s insight on missteps in COVID vaccine communications, which have contributed to declining trust in vaccines.
When the Hurricane Relief Worker Turns Out to Be a Neo Nazi
Neo-Nazi groups like Patriot Front have leveraged recent hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida to bolster their image, recruit new members, and spread their anti-government narratives, reports the Wall Street Journal. By posing as disaster relief volunteers, they exploit the chaos and misinformation surrounding the government’s response to these disasters. While they offer help, they also use this opportunity to amplify falsehoods, claiming that aid is being misallocated and portraying themselves as the true patriots stepping in where official agencies have allegedly failed. My takeaways:
Disaster as a Recruitment Tool: White supremacist groups are capitalizing on disaster scenarios to blend in with legitimate aid workers, framing themselves as local heroes. This strategy helps them gain acceptance in the community and attract disillusioned individuals. As Jon Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, put it, “You’re seeing these hyper-localized militias, these antigovernment groups, who are able to use this massive distrust, the panic, the fear, the unrest, to recruit.”
Exploiting Distrust and Misinformation: Hate groups spread misinformation about disaster relief to cast the government as ineffective or biased, claiming, for example, that aid is going to migrants rather than citizens. A Patriot Front member asserted in a video, “It is important for American men to gather and help fellow Americans in need, while the federal government is occupied ushering in foreigners and giving them homes and giving them food.” This messaging reinforces conspiracy theories that feed public skepticism about federal agencies like FEMA.
Long-Term Political and Social Risks: With elections on the horizon, these extremist groups could use their increased visibility to intimidate voters and sow discord. According to Tammy Patrick, chief program officer for the National Association of Election Officials, “It is just a question of how many, where they will be, and whether or not they will be stopped or prevented.” This heightens concerns about the potential impact of these groups on democratic processes and community cohesion.
In Other’s Words
Writer and commentator Walter Kirn on the need for open, sometimes messy, dialogue on the issues of the day.
We have to tolerate risk and uncertainty and even a quotient of deception in order to have the opportunity to get closer to the truth because if we become people who are basically spoon fed from the top and they filter out all the bad stuff and the contradictory stuff we’re going to lose our vigor, our immune systems, our natural ability to discern fact from fiction and deception from frankness.
From the Oct. 11 Dishcast podcast with Andrew Sullivan
The late philosopher and social critic Eric Hoffer on the value of learning.
In times of change learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.
H/T Ron Holifield’s 10 in 10 newsletter
Author James Clear on the non-linear nature of progress
Finding your way in life is like unlocking the combination of a safe. You have to go forwards and backwards. Life is not a direct march from A to B. The twists and turns are progress, not regression. What feels like a setback in the moment is later revealed to have been part of the path all along. Each move was necessary to get to your end goal.
Onward and Upward