Elle magazine probably had good intentions when they decided to link to a page that encourages people to register to vote, but it backfired big time. The link said, “Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are splitting up.” When you clicked on it though you realized you’d be had. The couple had not split. There wasn’t even any celeb breakup news. It was just a ruse and it has people furious.
It’s also just wrong on many levels. It gives the idea that Elle readers won’t click on an actual link to encourage them to vote. It also gives you the idea that they think their readers aren’t smart enough to register to vote without getting tricked into doing so and lastly it spreads news that simply isn’t true. How many people read a tweet, but don’t click on the story? Now those people may be spreading a totally false story about Kim and Kanye breaking up. Say what you will you the famous couple, but this is just wrong.
Spreading fake news, even if to trick us into doing something good, only impugns real news, and makes it harder for people to trust the media. Take this click bait down please. https://t.co/89TGf6fCQr
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) October 18, 2018
? Voting is important, but creating actual #FakeNews/memes to promote it hurts the press’ credibility and is insulting to readers!!https://t.co/Spc3g8764S
— Jenna Amatulli (@ohheyjenna) October 18, 2018