In a surprising turn of events, the satirical news outlet The Onion has successfully acquired Infowars, the controversial media enterprise led by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, in a court-mandated auction. The Onion's bid was notably backed by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims, who previously won a staggering $1.5 billion defamation ruling against Jones for disseminating falsehoods surrounding the tragedy.
The auction, which was ordered by a Texas judge in September due to Jones's financial troubles, saw various parties interested in acquiring Infowars. Jones, known for his incendiary rhetoric and problematic claims since founding Infowars in 1999, vowed to persist with his broadcasts through alternative methods despite the transaction.
In a candid video message, Jones denounced the takeover as an infringement on free speech, claiming it was a part of a broader conspiracy to silence dissenting voices in America. “This is the tyranny of the New World Order,” he proclaimed, expressing defiance against perceived oppression.
Following the acquisition, The Onion announced plans to revitalize the Infowars website, targeting a comedic transformation with contributions from established humor writers and digital content creators. Ben Collins, the CEO of The Onion's parent company, stated the intent to make it “a very funny, very stupid website,” aiming to flip its previous reputation upside down.
In a tongue-in-cheek manner, The Onion published an article remarking on Infowars's previous role in inciting anger and radicalizing vulnerable sections of society, proclaiming their intent to outsmart Jones and turn the former platform into a humorous outlet.
The families of several Sandy Hook victims, represented by lawyer Chris Mattei, welcomed The Onion's acquisition. Mattei underscored the public service aspect of stripping Jones of his broadcasting assets, suggesting that this move would significantly impede his capability to spread further misinformation. Robbie Parker, father of Sandy Hook victim Emilie, echoed sentiments of accountability, stating, “The world needs to see that having a platform does not mean you are above accountability."
Everytown for Gun Safety, a prominent gun violence prevention organization, has also partnered with The Onion to promote advertisements on the new website, further widening the scope of accountability in addressing misinformation about gun violence.
Alex Jones's rise from fringe broadcaster in Austin to a figure with a substantial following can be credited to his incendiary blend of opinion and speculation. However, his financial struggles stemmed from statements made post-2012 Sandy Hook tragedy, where he absurdly labeled the horrific event a "hoax," inciting harassment towards the victim's families.
Despite later acknowledging the reality of the massacre, Jones attempted to shield himself under the aegis of free speech. Nevertheless, Sandy Hook families successfully sued him for defamation, leading to his bankruptcy declaration in 2022 and subsequent asset liquidation ordered by a judge.
The acquisition of Infowars by The Onion marks a pivotal moment in the fight against misinformation, challenging how platforms intersect with accountability while providing a refreshing approach to satirical news.
The auction, which was ordered by a Texas judge in September due to Jones's financial troubles, saw various parties interested in acquiring Infowars. Jones, known for his incendiary rhetoric and problematic claims since founding Infowars in 1999, vowed to persist with his broadcasts through alternative methods despite the transaction.
In a candid video message, Jones denounced the takeover as an infringement on free speech, claiming it was a part of a broader conspiracy to silence dissenting voices in America. “This is the tyranny of the New World Order,” he proclaimed, expressing defiance against perceived oppression.
Following the acquisition, The Onion announced plans to revitalize the Infowars website, targeting a comedic transformation with contributions from established humor writers and digital content creators. Ben Collins, the CEO of The Onion's parent company, stated the intent to make it “a very funny, very stupid website,” aiming to flip its previous reputation upside down.
In a tongue-in-cheek manner, The Onion published an article remarking on Infowars's previous role in inciting anger and radicalizing vulnerable sections of society, proclaiming their intent to outsmart Jones and turn the former platform into a humorous outlet.
The families of several Sandy Hook victims, represented by lawyer Chris Mattei, welcomed The Onion's acquisition. Mattei underscored the public service aspect of stripping Jones of his broadcasting assets, suggesting that this move would significantly impede his capability to spread further misinformation. Robbie Parker, father of Sandy Hook victim Emilie, echoed sentiments of accountability, stating, “The world needs to see that having a platform does not mean you are above accountability."
Everytown for Gun Safety, a prominent gun violence prevention organization, has also partnered with The Onion to promote advertisements on the new website, further widening the scope of accountability in addressing misinformation about gun violence.
Alex Jones's rise from fringe broadcaster in Austin to a figure with a substantial following can be credited to his incendiary blend of opinion and speculation. However, his financial struggles stemmed from statements made post-2012 Sandy Hook tragedy, where he absurdly labeled the horrific event a "hoax," inciting harassment towards the victim's families.
Despite later acknowledging the reality of the massacre, Jones attempted to shield himself under the aegis of free speech. Nevertheless, Sandy Hook families successfully sued him for defamation, leading to his bankruptcy declaration in 2022 and subsequent asset liquidation ordered by a judge.
The acquisition of Infowars by The Onion marks a pivotal moment in the fight against misinformation, challenging how platforms intersect with accountability while providing a refreshing approach to satirical news.
