Infowars attracts ‘seven-figure’ auction bids that will decide fate of Alex Jones’ empire
CNN3 days
The Onion Purchases Alex Jones' Infowars
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Above: Alex Jones of InfoWars talks to reporters outside a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing concerning foreign influence operations' use of social media platforms, on Capitol Hill, Sept. 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. Image copyright: Drew Angerer/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The satirical news publication The Onion won the bidding for Alex Jones' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction on Thursday, taking control of the company's many media assets.
The sale follows Jones’ bankruptcy filing in light of the $1.5B in damages awarded to families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting victims, who successfully sued him for defamation after he made since-retracted claims that the mass shooting which killed 20 children and six adults was staged.
The Spin
Left narrative
This sale represents a serious reckoning for Alex Jones, whose lies have tormented the families of mass shooting victims. He is finally being held accountable for his actions. Hopefully this sale will stop the dissemination of his lies and provide some relief for the families. Additionally, this sale has given an unexpected platform to satirists and gun safety advocates who may be able to reshape the vision and identity of Infowars.
Right narrative
The sale of Infowars and other media assets belonging to Jones will have a chilling effect. Assets that were up for sale at this auction, like some of his personal social media accounts, are extensions of his persona and therefore should have been exempt from this bankruptcy sale. Additionally, this sale sets a dangerous precedent that could limit the freedom of speech of other people in the future.
