Sources in the Conspiracy-Pseudoscience category may publish unverifiable information that is not always supported by evidence. These sources may be untrustworthy for credible/verifiable information; therefore, fact-checking and further investigation is recommended on a per article basis when obtaining information from these sources. See all Conspiracy-Pseudoscience sources.
- Overall, we rate Watts Up with That a strong pseudoscience and conspiracy website based on promoting consistent human-influenced climate denialism propaganda and several failed fact checks.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: CONSPIRACY-PSEUDOSCIENCE
Factual Reporting: LOW
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY
History
Watts Up With That? (or WUWT) is a blog promoting climate change denial that was created by Anthony Watts in 2006? The blog predominantly discusses climate issues with a focus on anthropogenic climate change, generally supporting beliefs that oppose the scientific consensus on climate change. According to their about page, “WattsUpWithThat.com is the world’s most viewed website on climate.” Anthony Watts states he was a “television meteorologist who spent 25 years on the air and who also operates a weather technology and content business, as well as continues daily forecasting on radio, just for fun.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
The blog is owned by Anthony Watts and is funded through advertising and donations. The website does not disclose donors.
Analysis / Bias
In review, the sole purpose of the website is to debunk human-influenced climate change. Climatologist Michael E. Mann has called WUWT the leading climate change denial blog. There are numerous articles about WUWT and many failed fact checks that can be seen here through a factual search.
Failed Fact Checks
- “there has not been a long-term distinctive change in sea level rise rates in the last 120 years” – Inaccurate
- “The amount of coral on the Great Barrier Reef is at record high levels”; those claiming the reef is threatened by climate change are alarmists – Inaccurate
- “Great Barrier Reef Sea Surface Temperature: No Change In 150 Years” – Inaccurate
- More Embarrassment: COP26 Luxury EVs to be Recharged Using Diesel Generators – Mostly False
- “Facebook is spamming all climate articles by misleading readers about” the accuracy of climate models.” – False
- “…Seven and a half years have passed since there was any trend in global warming at all” If global warming was caused by human emissions, temperature would rise at a steady rate. – Incorrect
Overall, we rate Watts Up with That a strong pseudoscience and conspiracy website based on promoting consistent human-influenced climate denialism propaganda and several failed fact checks. (2/14/2017) Updated (D. Van Zandt 04/11/2022)
Source: https://wattsupwiththat.com/
Last Updated on April 11, 2022 by Media Bias Fact Check
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