A researcher at QUT has analysed the tweets on the climate denial traitor hashtag #ArsonEmergency and has found what looks to be a coordinated misinformation campaign because of the high proportion of bots. But what about the ‘real’ accounts spreading these lies? A thread👇🏻
Here is the article about the suspected bot campaign:
zdnet.com/article/twitte…
Surely @twitter needs to take some responsibility for the orchestrated spreading of dangerous misinformation on their platform? How do these bots continue to be so easily propagated?
zdnet.com/article/twitte…
Surely @twitter needs to take some responsibility for the orchestrated spreading of dangerous misinformation on their platform? How do these bots continue to be so easily propagated?
I also looked at accounts with large numbers of followers - more than bots could have - to see what and why they’re spreading arson lies. Since I didn’t come up with any ideas (I can’t work out whether it’s stupidity or menace) I thought I’d just tag the accounts for comment.
There is of course @spectator. Menace clearly. Criminal menace perhaps? 
Another usual suspect @mpsmithnews who has become obsessed with arsonists - he’s been denying climate change ever since climate change was first identified so he’s Menace with a capital M.
This @ToomeyWright account has been most active with the Arson Emergency hashtag. Hard to tell what their motivation is. I suspect menace.
Then there is @_evelynrae who has not only been spreading misinformation blaming arsonists for fire emergency, but also blogging doing same, particularly anti-Green conspiracies.
You’ll love this one. @ChrisMartzWX claims to be an ‘aspiring meteorologists’. Yep, go figure. Apparently the guy who wants to study weather thinks we’re fear-mongering about bushfires. Stupidity?
Some other notable accounts include @CNePerson. I also suspect menace here.
Also this one - despises ‘socialism’ but loves sharing lies about bushfires. Menace.
Another account: @Kleo__888 Probably stupidity rather than menance, or maybe both.
Quite a few of the accounts with small follower numbers have latched onto the incredibly irresponsible @Channel7 focus on arsonists like this one @DarrenPlane. Stupidity?
Also this one doesn’t have many followers but deserves a special mention for giving the misinformation campaign a red hot go using the name @FactHunter2020. Would be funny if it wasn’t so criminal.
And one more. @richieoshea who claims to be a psychotherapist who says ‘check mate’ to people who deny there is climate change rather than an arson emergency.
If these accounts would like to explain themselves that would be great. Specifically, what are you trying to achieve blaming a non-existent ‘arson emergency’ for crisis resulting from climate change? Do you have vested interest denying science or are you just doing it for fun?
What do you say to the people who have lost loved ones and their homes - thousands of homes - because of a catastrophic fires directly resulting from changing climate - while you’re sharing disinformation about the cause to try to downplay the problem?
Useful contribution from @catrollison
