One of Facebook’s so-called “fact-checkers” has been lying and spreading false information in order to shut down reports that undercut the green agenda narratives on energy.
The “fact checker” is RMIT ABC Fact Check – a collaboration between RMIT University and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
RMIT ABC Fact Check is one of Meta’s “independent third-party fact-checking” partners who have the power to block and remove content from Facebook and Instagram simply by claiming that it’s “false.”
However, these so-called “fact-checkers” rarely have to prove the information is false and simply remove content they disagree with.
It has created a situation where “fact-checkers” – who usually failed journalists who can’t get real work – act as partisan activists and use their powers to remove content that disputes their own beliefs.
RMIT ABC Fact Check is continuing to lose whatever credibility it had left after a series of previous scandals.
However, this latest case once again sheds light on the fact-checking industry’s censorship agenda.
The latest scandal saw businessman Dick Smith directly accusing RMIT of spreading misinformation and lies in order to promote its own agenda regarding green energy.
Smith exposed the group after it issued a “fact-check” of his remarks related to nuclear and renewable energy.
And despite RMIT at first attempting to stick to its guns, maintaining that its assertions were accurate, Smith yesterday received an apology from the ABC.
ABC was forced to correct its original report, which is now described as “riddled with errors” thanks to RMIT’s “fact-checking.”
It all started several days earlier when Smith spoke for a Sydney radio station.
Smith refuted a claim made by Australia’s government agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO).
CSIRO had falsely stated that it is possible for an entire country to depend solely on solar and wind energy.
That is “simply a lie (…) they (CSIRO) are telling lies” said the businessman.
He added that, since there is no example of any country, anywhere in the world, ever managing to sustain itself, energy-wise, on renewables – “we should be making a decision to go nuclear now.”
This “activated” RMIT ABC Fact Check.
The organization quickly came out with a report supposedly proving that Smith was wrong.
However, the “fact check” didn’t disprove anything Smith said and only disagreed with his opinion.
Additionally, the “fact check” used false claims to disagree with Smith and then labeled his claims to be “false.”
The organization used a false claim that Nepal, and three others, are examples of countries that use 100 percent renewable energy sources.
What possessed RMIT to pick Nepal of all places as an example remains unknown.
It is widely reported that the country is “highly reliant on the debilitating burning of biofuel.”
But it did provide Smith with another opportunity to expose the organization as liars.
“I’m angry,” Smith said.
“The whole document is full of misinformation and lies, it’s designed to discredit me.
“Absolutely disgusting,” he blasted.
“They (RMIT) say on the document… this is your inoculation against misinformation and their document is just completely misinformation because the Left at the ABC have to be against nuclear, so they just make up every lie they can to distort anyone who says we have to move to nuclear,” he added.
Smith also said that the three other countries mentioned by RMIT – Albania, Bhutan, and Paraguay – also all use fossil fuels.
Elon Musk was quick to support Smith’s comments.
Musk responded to journalist Michael Shellenberger’s comments about the scandal by writing:
“Having government ‘fact-checkers’ is a giant leap in the direction of tyranny.”
Facebook had previously come under fire over its use of RMIT after the group was accused of hijacking its fact-checking program and operating as an activist.
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