ABCnews.com.co
ABCnews.com.co was a fake news site which mimics the URL, design and logo of the actual news site ABCnews.com[1] (which is owned by the Disney–ABC Television Group). Many stories from ABCnews.com.co have gone viral before being debunked.[2]
The website's disclaimer page gives the address of the Westboro Baptist Church as its primary location.[3]
Paul Horner, the owner of the site, has claimed to make $10,000 per month from advertising traffic.[4][5]
As of October 30, 2017, the website appears to have shut down.
Examples of fake news stories
ABCnews.com.co has promulgated stories about prominent figures and organizations. Examples are:
- Anti-Trump protesters hired from Craigslist paid as much as $3,500[4][5]
- El Chapo escapes from Mexican prison again[6]
- President Barack Obama signed an order banning assault weapon sales[2]
- Michael Jordan intended to move the Charlotte Hornets out of North Carolina if the state did not revoke a law disallowing transgender people access to restrooms[7]
- The Supreme Court of the United States revoked the tax-exempt status of the Church of Scientology[8]
See also
References
- ^ "How fake news sites frequently trick big-time journalists". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ a b "Here's how to outsmart fake news in your Facebook feed". Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ "Contact - ABC News". ABC News. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ a b "No, someone wasn't paid $3,500 to protest Donald Trump". @politifact. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
- ^ a b Dewey, Caitlin (2016-11-17). "Facebook fake-news writer: 'I think Donald Trump is in the White House because of me'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
- ^ "Mexico's government shut down rumors of 'El Chapo' Guzmán's escape with this one photo". Business Insider. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ "Katy Perry's moving to Maine?! No, actually. Fake news strikes again". The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. 2016-06-05. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ Wade, Peter (12 March 2016). "Don't Believe the Fake Reports. The Church o Scientology Is Still Tax Exempt". Esquire. Retrieved 14 June 2017.