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 , 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.
did just use stock footage of fireworks from the past couple of years here in DC for their live broadcast?
— Chris Lavigne (@clavigne29)
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschÂ鶹¹ÙÍø)
Because of the cloudy DC weather, It looks like PBS used stock footage of clear night fireworks — jonwarner (@jonwarnerÂ鶹¹ÙÍø)
Many users on Twitter, some using the hashtag, pointed out other errors like the missing scaffolding from the U.S. Capitol dome.
I think you live in another Washington DC… Mine has low hanging clouds and i can’t see much fireworks… — Grumpee Mike (@grumpee_mike)
I know it’s cloudy, but it’s a travesty not showing the real DC fireworks — Jody (@roaminrn)
Happy , America! Sincerely, (your stock fireworks footage news outlet). — Chauna (@chauna_eliz)
Happy courtesy of — Michael Jaffe (@mjaffeumd)
Old fireworks footage on when the clouds vanish, and so does the Capitol scaffolding. — Carl Bliss (@ckbliss)
Totally faked fireworks. No scaffolding on Capitol & not cloud in the sky. Much different here in — Andrew Roszak (@AndyRoszak)
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.
— A Capitol Fourth (@July4thPBS)
PBSÂ backed off the patriotism angle a few hours later:
— A Capitol Fourth (@July4thPBS)
