Notre Dame Fire Seen Live Worldwide Tests Social Media

April 17, 2019 - VOA

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/notre-dame-fire-seen-live-worldwide-tests-social-media-/4880465.html

France has promised a worldwide effort to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the famous Christian
church damaged by fire this week.
Many people have been sharing pictures of themselves and their families visiting Notre-Dame. For
many, the building combines their personal memories with a long-established cultural heritage.
Live images of the fire were broadcast and shared as firefighters struggled to contain the flames that
destroyed the building’s tall spire and its wooden roof.
The fire happened at a time when some social media companies are testing methods for fighting back
against false information. But in the case of YouTube, its methods did not help stop false information
from spreading. YouTube’s algorithm detected the images of the burning cathedral and sent users links
about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Links included Wikipedia
and Encyclopedia Britannica entries about the 9/11 attack.
Observers say the incident demonstrates some of the problems with automatic systems that are meant
to correct misleading information.
Worldwide calls to rebuild
French president Emmanuel Macron sent a message on Twitter expressing sadness at the loss, “I am sad
tonight to see this part of us burn.”
He and many French leaders stressed the importance of the cathedral to France’s common culture.
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that he offered sympathy to the head of the Catholic Church Pope
Francis and offered U.S. experts to help rebuild it.
Notre-Dame de Paris is among the most famous Catholic churches in the world and is the seat of
Catholic leadership of Paris. It is estimated that 13 million people visit the building every year.
The Paris public prosecutor is investigating the cause of the fire, which is suspected to be linked to
extensive renovation work.
On Wednesday, France announced it would invite architects from around the world to propose designs
to replace the spire that was destroyed in the fire. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said a competition
would decide whether the cathedral should have a new design or be rebuilt as it was.
I’m Mario Ritter Jr.
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Words in This Story
heritage –n. the traditions, achievements and beliefs that are part of the history of a group or nation
algorithm –n. a set of steps that are followed to solve a mathematical problem or complete a computer
process
fact-check –v. to find out if a claim or statement is true or correct
architect –n. a person who designs buildings
spire –n. a tall, narrow, pointed structure on the top of a building