A New Era for Infowars: The Onion Takes Over
On Thursday, the satirical publication The Onion made headlines with its unexpected acquisition of Alex Jones’ controversial media outlet, Infowars. The Onion is known for its humorous takes on current events, and now it aims to inject satire into Jones’ conspiracy-laden website. The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment, as it ties into lawsuits filed by the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims, who have pursued Jones for his unfounded claims about the tragedy.
Transforming Infowars into a Satirical Space
The purchase, whose financial details remain undisclosed, also has the the backing of the Sandy Hook families, who were awarded nearly $1.5 billion in lawsuits against Jones. The new Infowars will offer a satirical critique of the outrageous theories previously promoted by Jones, theories that were so outlandish they might have seemed comedic if they hadn’t had real-world consequences. “We aim to turn Infowars into the funniest and dumbest website on the internet,” stated Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion. “Previously, it was just the dumbest.”
Following the acquisition, The Onion swiftly shut down Infowars with plans to relaunch it in January as a parody of conspiracy theorists. This decision marks the end of a significant chapter in the narrative of fear-based media, as Collins noted, highlighting Jones as just one character in a vast universe of provocative content that often leads to public outrage. “We don’t think it’s fair that they’ve been given a free pass until now,” he added.
A Shift in the Landscape of Misinformation
Collins, who previously reported on misinformation for NBC News, is positioned uniquely to guide this new venture. Documentarian Dale Beran, who created the Netflix film “The Anti-Social Network” about misinformation, believes this satirical site could resonate similarly to how Stephen Colbert’s “The Colbert Report” critiqued hyperbolic conservative media figures years ago. As for how casual fans of Jones will react to the new Infowars, Beran suggested that those drawn to conspiracy theories may not be interested in the satire.
In the wake of the acquisition announcement, conspiracy theories about The Onion’s purchase sprang up almost immediately. A post on Zeee Media questioned how the site, deemed irrelevant for years, could afford such a transaction, while Jones called the acquisition an “attack on free speech,” framing himself as a victim of the “deep state.”
The Continuing Struggle Against Misinformation
Despite the notable impact of shutting down a major misinformation site, experts suggest that the business model for attracting enraged audiences remains viable. Yotam Ophir, head of the Media Effects, Misinformation and Extremism Lab at the University of Buffalo, warned that Jones will likely find new avenues to reach his followers. “As long as viewers are willing to tune in, he’ll adapt,” Ophir stated. Interestingly, the Onion’s actions and ongoing legal battles might only reinforce Jones’s appeal as a martyr for free speech among his most dedicated supporters.
Nevertheless, the acquisition has sparked a sense of optimism among those opposed to misinformation, especially amidst a challenging political climate. One progressive Twitter user expressed that this turn of events feels like “bad karma turned good,” highlighting the sense of relief among certain groups following a tough week marked by Trump’s election victory and a GOP majority in Congress.
Conclusion
The Onion’s investment in transforming Infowars could become a landmark effort in the fight against misinformation, showcasing how humor can be used as a tool for truth. As audiences await the relaunch in January, there’s hope that it will provide a much-needed perspective in a world often inundated with serious and misleading narratives.
Associated Press reporter Dave Collins contributed to this report. David Bauder covers media for the AP; he can be followed at http://x.com/dbauder.
