Alex Jones, the extreme right-wing conspiracy theorist and host of Infowars, a notorious fake news radio show, has launched perhaps the year’s most ironic campaign. Jones took to Twitter to promote the “#FakeNewsAwards,” and listed five options from which to choose.
???? #FakeNewsAwards ????
FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION
1. Buzzfeed
2. NY Times
3. Washington Post
4. Huffington Post
5. SalonCast your vote by posting your choice in the comment section. LIVE results tonight at: https://t.co/OQtch0tDED????????
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) November 28, 2017
Virginia Hughes, the science editor at Buzzfeed News, which appeared at the top of the list, struck back with a hilarious reaction.
An honor just to be nominated https://t.co/xaDhsT0FYT
— Virginia Hughes (@virginiahughes) November 28, 2017
Jones’ tepid efforts at compiling a “fake news” list fell predictably short. The New York Times has won 122 Pulitzer Prizes for excellence in journalism. The Washington Post has won 47. Buzzfeed boasts six Pulitzer winners on its writing staff. Huffington Post, too, has a Pulitzer Prize.
Infowars, however, is notorious for promoting a slew of fake news, including the absurd claim that the tragic Sandy Hook shooting, which left 20 students and six staff members dead, was a hoax.
While Jones’ tone-deaf contest is certain to be as much of a dumpster fire as everyone expects, the real winner here is Hughes and her quick wit in the face of such glaring inanity.
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