Infowars articles analysis

 

Issue #1: Florida Senate Approves Bill Banning Critical Race Theory, Gender Identity Classes- Infowars

https://www.infowars.com/posts/florida-senate-approves-bill-banning-critical-race-theory-gender-identity-classes/

 This issue is about the Individual Freedom bill which prohibits lessons on gender identity and racial topics in cases where a person is deliberately made “uncomfortable” over historic actions committed by their race, gender, or nationality. It is a relevant topic in the media because it limits schools and workplaces from giving education about gender identities and racism which are important issues in our society.

                          Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida announcing the “Stop WOKE Act”            

I have discovered this issue through Infowars- a far-right American conspiracy and fake-news website.

The issue is presented predominantly in support of the bill, stating that racial discrimination and sexual harassment trainings “preach critical race theory”. The article also claims that parents are displeased with school programmes and protests due to the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020, and that they “consider the claim of systemic racism among the white population outrageous”. However, the Florida democrats’ opposing opinion is included towards the end, which insist that the bill is “in search of a problem that [they] don’t have”.

While the bill itself and the provided information about it are true, I believe this article is considered fake news since it includes claims that are not fact-checked (as such the parents’ opinion) in an attempt to persuade its readers to a similar point of view. My opinion regarding this issue is that Individual Freedom bill could mitigate companies’ and schools’ ability to train/ educate its employees and students; and is therefore unnecessary. Since those values are integral to workplaces and learning environments, discomfort does not excuse ignorance.

Issue #2: Scientists to Release GMO Mosquitos Funded by Gates Foundation in California & Florida- Infowars

https://www.infowars.com/posts/scientists-to-release-gmo-mosquitos-funded-by-gates-foundation-in-california-florida/

This issue is about GMO mosquitos made by UK-based biotechnology firm Oxitec, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in an effort to combat insect-borne diseases. This issue is in the media because it could hold as a potential risk for individuals and community if the GMO mosquitos do not do what they’re intended to.

Similar to the article above, I’ve also found out about this topic through a conspiracy and fake-news website called Infowars.

 The article presented the news in a negative way, displaying sceptical opinions and criticism towards the lab-grown mosquitoes. For instance, Policy Director- Jaydee Hanson stated that “the EPA did not require peer review or basic preliminary caged trials in Florida and Texas”. The article then does on to explain how “EPA didn’t consider unintended consequences” and how GMO mosquitoes could “pose significant threats to sensitive ecosystems and human populations”.

                                                Close up of a Genetically Modified mosquito                        

I believe that this article is to be considered as fake news since the information and statements include are taken from websites such as Epoch Times and Daily Mail which are known to be biased and unreliable. Moreover, the article may have selected certain quotes and statements from the above websites to influence the readers to feel negatively about this issue.