Earlier this week, the Twitchy team covered BuzzFeed’s hit piece on Chip and Joanna Gaines, the hosts of the HGTV show “Fixer Uppers” because their church’s preacher is adamantly against homosexuality. How shocking, right?
BuzzFeed began receiving flack from right-wing websites and journalists. That’s when they decided to try and rectify the situation by posting a play-by-play article for their readers who want to visit the Gaines.
Some journalists, saw right through it through, including Daily Caller‘s Chuck Ross.
Days after smearing the "Fixer Upper" couple, BuzzFeed is promoting their business. Anything for the clicks, I guess https://t.co/ffzTuBLb6C
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) December 2, 2016
alternately, you misunderstood our motives and how normal journalism works. Nah, couldn't be that.
— Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) December 2, 2016
“Normal journalism” AKA do whatever you can to get your readers back before your head is on the chopping block.
– @BuzzFeedBen's motive was a clickbait headline to garner page views for ad $$, while claiming it's "journalism".@ChuckRossDC
— Sean The Producer (@SeanTheProducr) December 2, 2016
Sean hit the nail on the head. Clicks = $$$.
But then, Ross gave Smith a run for his money.
Seems like a lot of people – including your readers – "misunderstood your motives." Reflect on that, maybe. https://t.co/OOiiO2KZTk
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) December 2, 2016
No, nor did I say that. I think it's somewhat perverse that you guys smear them one day and the promote them the next.
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) December 2, 2016
to be clear, i don't like the puff piece either. but i don't get where you see me saying there's a conspiracy of any kind.
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) December 2, 2016
nope, Ben, that's not what I'm doing at all, but nice try. I'm sure you know that I'm not the only critic of this piece.
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) December 2, 2016
And Ross is right. Many journalists questioned BuzzFeed’s ethics (or lack thereof).
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