BuzzFeed News took a lot of flak a couple of weeks ago for its big scoop on the Robert Mueller investigation that compelled Mueller’s office to release a statement saying the story was not accurate, so the site has some work to do to rebuild its credibility.
Taking over from CNN’s Oliver Darcy to police Twitter content does not seem to be the way to do that, unfortunately.
Twitter is allowing this altered photo comparing women members of Congress who wore white to the State of the Union to the KKK to circulate on its platform despite its own policy that doesn't allow “symbols historically associated with hate groups.”https://t.co/60aFpx4OJl pic.twitter.com/Z4RVBsFyKa
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) February 6, 2019
Credit to BuzzFeed News for confirming that this is indeed an altered photo and the women of Congress did not wear Klan robes to the State of the Union address. But maybe a little more research was in order?
Wrong. The code of conduct only disallows these images if they are meant to promote racial bigotry, which in this case they are not. That is, you aren't allowed to glorify the KKK, but using KKK imagery in certain contexts is allowed. Otherwise you couldn't tweet pics of Hitler. pic.twitter.com/yXxgiNqYJj
— neontaster (@neontaster) February 6, 2019
Hands up … who thinks BuzzFeed would have published this story if the Klan robes were on Republican members of Congress? Anyone?
NB: If you actually read Twitter's policy (a lot of work for journalists, I know), it suggests that 'hateful media' is not generally banned, but marked as sensitive content: (The rest of the article makes clear that there's an 'unless' if it was targeted against, here, blacks) pic.twitter.com/vWH1Hupyhh
— Jordan Perkins (@jordanlperkins) February 7, 2019
Fucking hilarious considering Twitter did nothing after the harassment the Covington kids received based on trash reporting which included Buzzfeed.
But sure Buzzfeed let me play for you the worlds smallest violin https://t.co/zuY27T1xF0
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) February 6, 2019
Yeeeeeeah, as parties to the targeted harassment and slander of teenagers, you guys should probably sit this one out.
— Voluntary Zis (@TheVoluntaryZis) February 6, 2019
and? Aren't you the ones calling a #MAGA hat the symbol of the KKK? You can't criminalize politics when its used against you.
— Steph (@steph93065) February 6, 2019
Man, oh man … you should see the altered photos of @ScottAdamsSays and President Trump if that upsets you!
— Sandy (@RightGlockMom) February 7, 2019
Reminds me of the sniveling suck-ups who always tried to get me in trouble with the teacher. "Mrs. Miller! Jon is distracting Becky from our Periodic Table project!" Everyone hates that dude, BuzzFeed. https://t.co/3bwMVbc84J
— jon gabriel (@exjon) February 7, 2019
Journalism in 2019: "Journalists" demand censorship of anything that might reflect negatively on the Democrats.
— Magilla Guerrilla (@ApeCityRoller) February 7, 2019
The increasing number of journalists hostile to free speech. https://t.co/NkpaRmFju3
— Frank J. Fleming (@IMAO_) February 6, 2019
BuzzFeed wants memes censored now, huh? Every day is a new low for the Left.
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) February 6, 2019
Once again Buzzfeed is the enemy of the people
— Kevin Boyd? ?? (@TheKevinBoyd) February 6, 2019
— Ricardo Saturnin (@ricardosaturnin) February 6, 2019
“ Rules for thee, not for me”
Buzzfeed is trying to shame Twitter into removing a joke/meme but has no problem with actual harassment and fabrication of fake news.
Maybe look in the mirror and stop being hyper partisan.
— Andrew Westmoreland (@drewwest_press) February 6, 2019
The only reason you don't like it/think it should somehow violate a rule is because it skewers Democrats. Period.
— Nickarama (@Nickarama1) February 6, 2019
BuzzFeed, the paradigm of misinformation, is now taking on the new role of PC Police.
— Randy C (@graymalkin26) February 7, 2019
Hall monitor
— jim palmer (@spiv) February 7, 2019
Go ahead, morons. Follow through with where you want this to go. I dare you. ?
— Chris Hynes (@realchrishynes) February 7, 2019
Editor: We need something to show the world we are a serious news organization.
— "Free Rides" Sikorsky (@ThurstonDana) February 6, 2019
Good deal, stay out of everyone's business, it's just a meme for Christ's sake
— Sean Cahalan (@scahalan89) February 6, 2019
It's called a meme. It looks just like the ones circulating about he GOP. Both offend some people. Both totally protected by the First Amendment.
— Bacon Von Mises (@ThePeoplesBacon) February 6, 2019
If it’s so offensive, why help circulate it BuzzFeed?
— Dang Pigeon (@frankegiardina) February 6, 2019
Uhh…. you shared the photo
— Rob Solo (@robsolo) February 7, 2019
If this meme is offensive why are you broadcasting it to 1.3 million followers?
— Dot Roemer (@dotroemer) February 7, 2019
Huh. I hadn't seen the photo until you recirculated it. Well done
— UberSteve (@UberSteve) February 6, 2019
Thanks for this meme, I've never seen it before until now.
— Avant Monk (@dicksmithfanboy) February 7, 2019
Thanks for circulating it again, I hadn't yet seen it. It's bloody hilarious!
— everything/j4ck (@everythingj4ck) February 6, 2019
It's pretty funny
— Daniel? (@_irezumi) February 6, 2019
Thanks. Shared it.
— Served In Reagan's Army (@served_s) February 7, 2019
Oh no, a meme
— TinHearts (@Cylina) February 7, 2019
I can handle it.
— Brian Gocial ? (@briangocial) February 6, 2019
Its not like they're learning to code dude.
— Nick Bell (@Nbell3) February 7, 2019
Learn to joke
— Donna776477?? (@Donna776477) February 7, 2019
Related:
Hall monitors at work: Oliver Darcy, CNN scrub through Alex Jones' tweets after Twitter refuses to ban him https://t.co/baYJ0GJUm7
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 9, 2018
Join the conversation as a VIP Member