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Short thread on the Daily Beast exposing the guy who allegedly posted the fake “drunk Pelosi” video (he apparently denies it) and why it’s wrong . . . /1
In a normal, healthy world there would be nothing amiss about writing a story about a doctored viral video, how it got on the web, and who did it — including some basic biographical details. But we don’t live in a normal, healthy world and every journalist knows this. /2
Every single journalist of any sophistication knows that exposing a person in this diseased, toxic culture doesn’t just mean exposing them to legitimate critique, but also to attempts to destroy their lives, and maybe inflict physical harm. /3
Each person/publication with a significant Twitter following wields a social weapon, and attacking someone on a partisan basis is like blowing the whistle to launch a WWI charge. What happens next is predictable and nearly-certain to occur. /4
So responsible people wield that weapon very carefully, with full knowledge of the results of their actions. Do we really need to know that guy’s name? Do we need to know more than he’s a blue-collar worker who supports Trump? /5
The facts of modern life are so well-known that it’s hard to escape the conclusion that the journalist not only knows what will happen but wants it to happen. /6
Oh, and if you think that this guy “put himself out there” when he did what he did, most people have NO IDEA what it’s like to become a hate object online. They have no clue how it can disrupt their lives. Personal destruction should not be the cost of public participation. /End.
