WASHINGTON — Many who were watching PBS’s broadcast of “A Capitol Fourth” noticed something was a little “off” when they aired footage of the fireworks show in the nation’s capital showing clear skies. The rain took its toll on Fourth of July fireworks plans around the nation’s capital causing many shows to be postponed or canceled, but the National Mall fireworks show still went on as scheduled. Clouds made for poor visibility for those watching the fireworks show in the District, which caused some confusion for viewers at home when PBS showed clear skies for the show during its live broadcast.
@WTOP @nbcwashington @fox5dc did @PBS just use stock footage of fireworks from the past couple of years here in DC for their live broadcast?
— Chris Lavigne (@clavigne29) July 5, 2016
#FourthofJuly #NationalMall @WTOP pic.twitter.com/fDYHXP4UzY — Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) July 5, 2016
@mbaschWTOP @WTOP Because of the cloudy DC weather, It looks like PBS used stock footage of clear night fireworks — jonwarner (@jonwarnerWTOP) July 5, 2016
Many users on Twitter, some using the hashtag #Fake4th, pointed out other errors like the missing scaffolding from the U.S. Capitol dome.
@July4thPBS @PBS I think you live in another Washington DC… Mine has low hanging clouds and i can’t see much fireworks… — Grumpee Mike (@grumpee_mike) July 5, 2016
@July4thPBS @PBS I know it’s cloudy, but it’s a travesty not showing the real DC fireworks — Jody (@roaminrn) July 5, 2016
Happy #fake4th, America! Sincerely, @July4thPBS (your stock fireworks footage news outlet). — Chauna (@chauna_eliz) July 5, 2016
Happy #fake4th courtesy of @PBS #July4thPBS pic.twitter.com/QVz4KSlLQ9 — Michael Jaffe (@mjaffeumd) July 5, 2016
Old fireworks footage on #July4thPBS when the clouds vanish, and so does the Capitol scaffolding. — Carl Bliss (@ckbliss) July 5, 2016
Totally faked #July4thPBS fireworks. No scaffolding on Capitol & not cloud in the sky. Much different here in #DC pic.twitter.com/CGnaXHMtce — Andrew Roszak (@AndyRoszak) July 5, 2016
PBS responded with the following tweet:
We showed a combination of the best fireworks from this year and previous years. It was the patriotic thing to do. #July4thPBS
— A Capitol Fourth (@July4thPBS) July 5, 2016
PBS backed off the patriotism angle a few hours later:
— A Capitol Fourth (@July4thPBS) July 5, 2016