Social Media Misinformation: The Truth About Natural Resources the Media Won’t Tell You

Is your natural resources news polarized and full of misinformation?

Watch: The Unspoken Truth About Resources – a thought-provoking look at how media and social media shape our understanding of natural resources development and management. Hear first-hand from an Indigenous lawyer.

Truth and misinformation of media and social media 🧐

In today's fast-paced digital world, we're constantly bombarded with information. News flashes across our screens, social media feeds buzz with updates but social media misinformation is increasingly blurring the line between truth and narrative. While opinions fly thick and fast, many of the stories we consume are shaped by false or misleading content. For example a Dalhousie University law professor says truth doesn't matter when it comes to social media and monetization on the subject matter. But have you ever stopped to consider the narrative being woven, especially when it comes to something as fundamental as our planet's natural resources? This YouTube video, "Is your natural resources news polarized?" compellingly argues that what we see and hear is often a biased perspective, potentially obscuring the real value and vulnerability of the very things we need to survive.

Our forests provide homes for animals and people, as well as important Indigenous values, that also include economic independence.

Natural resources are more than just commodities

It's an obvious reminder of a simple and profound truth. Natural resources are not just commodities; they are the building blocks of life itself. From the water we drink and the air we breathe to the minerals that power our technology like cell phones, and the fertile soil that grows our food, these resources are linked to our daily existence and well-being. To overlook their importance is to ignore the very foundation upon which our societies and economies are built.

However, the 📰 media landscape, often driven by specific agendas, can present a skewed picture. This is where the video highlights a critical point, the narrative surrounding natural resources isn't always aligned with the unbiased reality. For example, former BC Premier John Horgan (NDP) questioned the motives of some old-growth protestors who were using a road-blocking campaign as a fundraising tool.

Former BC Premier (NDP) John Horgan says activists were using conflict videos to fundraise!

(See Saanich News article screenshot/link).

Other issues are:

• Paid-protestors and activist groups who collectively receive as much as 1.3 billion dollars in funds from American groups to curtail Canadian logging, mining, or oil and gas projects, thus reducing competition for US suppliers.
  

• In response, Canadian-based Indigenous groups like the Indigenous Resource Network have spoken out in the Financial Post, sternly warning Hollywood actors and other American interests to stop speaking on behalf of Canada's Indigenous peoples, sixty-five percent of whom support natural resources development.

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QUOTE:

"True self-determination means it is up to Indigenous communities to determine if a project is in our interest. Not Hollywood celebrities. All we are asking is that Hollywood actors stop speaking on our behalf. You do not know our struggles and you have not lived our experiences. Our Indigenous communities know what is best for us and many have sided with resource development. We want a better future for our people and that is best achieved by engaging with industry on ownership opportunities." -Robert Merasty, Executive Director, Indigenous Resource Network

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Cutting through the noise: The need for clarity

So, what can we do? The video suggests a powerful tool: Education! By fostering a deeper understanding of what natural resources are, where they come from, how they support our daily life requirements, we can uncover the truth. Education empowers us to ask critical questions, to seek out diverse sources of information, and to recognize when a story might be painting an incomplete or prejudiced picture. Just because something is in the media or on social media, doesn't mean it's true. As one expert notes; these are "rife with disinformation".

Let's have some real, open conversations that challenge biased views and offer a bigger picture. Fored BC offers trusted educational resources in conjunction with BC teachers, volunteers and youth for free download by schools, NGOs, parents of homeschoolers or anyone wanting informative lessons that engage and inspire. You can visit our website's natural resources links for a variety of groups and credible sources of information.

👀 Watch the video

Video

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