The Portal Infomax on 28.10.2019 posted “Footage from this afternoon/evening in Vizbegovo/Shutka, the black spot in the city, the smoke is rising, while you, people, suffocate in toxins”, citing the O2 Initiative’s post. The text itself uses a photograph from 2017 and a completely different location. This article was shared in the group “Against Pollution and Poisoning of the People”, where in addition to this an article on the portal Galama article was also shared, which again was based on the statement of a certain Luka Alexandrov on the social networks.
Other media also reported the news.
Pollution is a serious topic that requires professional research before information are presented publicly. Unfortunately, we often find that there is a lot of speculation about this topic that leads the public to the wrong conclusions.
Some time ago the fact-checker Cri Think had already written on this topic about the postings of portals stemming from the status of a certain Luka Alexandrov on the social networks. The status was widespread on the social networks, but also on several portals. At the time of this manipulation, AD ESM sent a disclaimer, stating:
“AD ESM categorically denies the fake news that the thermal power plants in Bitola and Kicevo are burning waste, as stated in the text under the heading “Every day in Macedonia 10 trash trucks from Italy are being imported?!”
Unfortunately, the denial was not followed with the interest as the announcement was. The denial was published only by two media outlets, in regard to the widespread announcement.
The Mayor of Skopje, Petre Shilegov, also gave explanations for the announced manipulation.
“There is no plant in Drisla that can burn this type of waste, because there is only a medical waste incinerator (burner). Another type of waste unfortunately is not burnt. If the procedure for selecting a private partner had succeeded, that type of installation would’ve been one of the targets set by the City of Skopje, Shilegov said in response to a question ahead of the celebration of the Mihajlo Pupin Electro-Technical High School celebration and release in use of the photovoltaic power plant in the school.” – explained Shilegov.
This manipulation is active again these days. This time, enforced with another announcement. The post says “Footage from this afternoon/evening in Vizbegovo/Shutka, the black spot in the city, the smoke is rising, while you, people, suffocate in toxins.” This claim is supported by a photograph not from Vizbegovo, nor from 28.10.2019. If you do a research about the photo itself, you will find that it is from 2017.The manipulation that has been re-activated these days is denied by the competent institution, the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning. Their denial states:
– It is a matter of speculation and falsehood.
– Waste import/export and transit is strictly controlled
– The law prohibits the import of waste for landfill or storage
Pollution is a serious topic that requires detailed and thorough journalistic research. Journalists on such topics must work professionally and with a serious journalistic approach in order to find out the truth. Old photographs, non-scene photos, speculative articles borrowed from social networks, are data that must not be placed on the media before being thoroughly reviewed by multiple sources that may support or deny speculation. The public has the full right to know the truth, not to be misled by manipulation and conspiracy theories.
