Media
Caroline Flack death: Will people now 'be kind' in the media and online? – BBC News
Former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack’s death prompted not just an outpouring of grief, but an overwhelming demand for it to become a turning point for the treatment of celebrities on social media and the press.
The night after hosting her first live edition of The X Factor in 2015, Caroline Flack was not on a high after reaching another peak in her career. She was in tears after looking at social media.
“The reaction was quite overwhelming because I didn’t think people would be talking about how I look, how I stand, how I walk or how I laugh,” she said at the time.
“Not everyone is going to like you all the time, not everyone is going to think you’re beautiful, but there is a difference between opinion and abuse.”
Those are words that many celebrities – especially women – will relate to.
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Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Billie Eilish – fresh from winning five Grammys, recording the new James Bond theme and having the best-selling album of 2019 – revealed she had recently stopped looking at comments.
“It was ruining my life,” she said. “It’s weird, the cooler the things you get to do are, the more people hate you. It’s crazy. It’s way worse than it’s ever been right now.”
Her brother and producing and songwriting partner Finneas O’Connell added: “You might see someone who’s a ‘famous celebrity’ and you might think sticks and stones, nothing I can say is going to actually be potent to them. But it all is. It’s all very equal online.”
Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, Brit Award winner Dua Lipa and former Girls Aloud star and The Masked Singer champion Nicola Roberts are a few others who have spoken about the impact of trolling.
‘Social media is a witch hunt’
“There has to be a line,” Roberts told BBC News on Monday. “There is a culture of a slight witch hunt that happens and social media certainly can prove to be toxic at times.
“I think it would be great if we could eliminate those elements within society.”
Social media has come under scrutiny in the search for explanations and blame since Flack’s suicide on Saturday at the age of 40 – as have the mainstream media, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pressing ahead with a trial after she was charged with assaulting her boyfriend.
At her last hearing, on 23 December, where she pleaded not guilty, the TV presenter seemed to be struggling with the media attention and courtroom pressure.
The following day – Christmas Eve – she wrote on Instagram that “this kind of scrutiny and speculation is a lot to take on for one person to take on their own”.
No-one will really know what Flack was thinking, and the reasons for any suicide are usually numerous and complex.
As well as the attention, Flack had lost her job on Love Island, having stood down after being charged; been banned from contacting her boyfriend by the court; and was facing trial for domestic abuse.
The loudest refrain after her death was for people to “be kind”, especially on social media.
Laura Whitmore, who replaced Flack on Love Island, appealed to listeners on her BBC Radio 5 Live show “be kind” to others, and added: “To paparazzi and tabloids looking for a cheap sell, to trolls hiding behind a keyboard – enough.”
Whitmore added: “I’m not going to pretend she was perfect, but is anyone? She lived every mistake publicly, under the scrutiny of the media.”
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Comedian Russell Brand echoed her cry on his blog: “I am angry because I have watched this play out before with vulnerable people in the public eye and I would like to slay with some righteous sword the salacious, foaming, incessant poking, trolling judgment that chased her to the grave,” he wrote.
A petition calling for “Caroline’s Law”, which would make it an offence for the media to “knowingly and relentlessly bully a person”, has reached 700,000 signatures at the time of writing.
Brand said he admired “the optimism” of the petition. “But the media is made up of people, the world of celebrity is made up of people, social media is made up of people. All culture, all values pass through the consciousness of individuals and collectives,” he wrote.
“If we want the world to change, for less people to die in pain and shame then we should pause before we next vent a pleasurable stab of vindictive judgment or jeering condemnation.”
‘Really frightening’
Asked how long the spirit of kindness might last, columnist and author Joan Smith, who chairs the Mayor of London’s Violence Against Women and Girls Board, replied: “It lasts for about 10 minutes usually, doesn’t it?”
Women like Flack attract a different kind of media attention than men, Smith told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, noting that the presenter’s legal case had put her under an intense spotlight.
“That kind of attention for somebody who is fragile is really frightening,” she said. “I think part of the problem is most people see this on a case-by-case basis. ‘That’s really awful. Something ought to happen.’ And then it all dies down again.”
She added: “But we did actually have an inquiry, The Leveson Inquiry, which I myself gave evidence to, and whatever happened to that?”
The 2011 and 2012 inquiry investigated the conduct of the press after the phone-hacking scandal, but the second part of the inquiry was scrapped by the government, and a new system of self-regulation was set up.
“I remember saying at the time, it’s not independent, it’s too much influenced by newspaper editors. And I still think that’s the case,” Smith said.
‘We are feeding the monster’
Labour MP Jo Stevens, who sits on the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport select committee, said the second part of the Leveson Inquiry “would have looked at precisely the role of newspapers in reporting on this sort of activity”.
Her committee will “want to look at” what was said about Flack on social media and in the press, she told BBC Radio 5 Live. “And we also need to look at ourselves and how we behave.
“Because these stories that are written online, every time someone clicks on a story to read about it, salacious gossip stories about celebrities and personalities, we are feeding that monster because it is creating revenue for the websites.”
But former Sunday Mirror editor Paul Connew said most of the coverage of Flack’s case had been based on facts in the public domain, or information she had put on social media.
“She’s lived her life on the social media platform and in a way, once that’s in the public domain, you can’t blame the mainstream media for focusing on it,” he said.
“But the mainstream media haven’t adopted the sort of approach that’s taken place on social media, on the Wild West of cyberspace, where people can be as abusive and cruel and wildly inaccurate as they like because they are hiding in nearly all cases behind anonymity.”
PM: Social media firms ‘must go further’
There have been calls for tighter regulation of social media in the wake of the star’s death, with suggestions for measures like removing that anonymity by forcing anyone who signs up to provide ID and a photo.
That would go further than proposals contained in a proposed new law to counter “online harms”, under which regulator Ofcom will “set out steps that should be taken to tackle cyberbullying”.
Responding to Flack’s death on Monday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The industry must continue their efforts to go further. We expect them to have robust processes in place for removing content breaching their acceptable use policies.”
Last year a think tank, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, published a report suggesting celebrities should respond to trolls by ignoring and blocking them.
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On Monday, broadcaster and former Big Brother contestant Andy West said: “When we’re talking about practical solutions, if you’re finding social media difficult and it’s getting you down – and Lord knows it gets me down almost every day – try and control yourself and make sure you’re not adding to that by getting involved in the nastiness, and take your own personal responsibility.
“But I absolutely agree that we’ve reached a point now where, to earn your voice on social media, you have to prove you are who you say you are, and you have to be willing to stand by your words.
“I would go further and say you have to have a photograph that you can have verified.”
Monica Shafaq, chief executive of health and wellbeing charity The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, added: “Delete their accounts. Make people verified, for example, before they can actually start using Twitter.
“There has to be some control in place because people are losing their lives as a result. It’s not a joke.
“Caroline’s not the first person to be a victim of this, and sadly she won’t be the last until we make some significant changes.”
Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.
Former President Donald Trump is on the brink of a significant financial decision that could have far-reaching implications for both his personal wealth and the future of his fledgling social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). As the lockup period on his shares in TMTG, which owns Truth Social, nears its end, Trump could soon be free to sell his substantial stake in the company. However, the potential payday, which makes up a large portion of his net worth, comes with considerable risks for Trump and his supporters.
Trump’s stake in TMTG comprises nearly 59% of the company, amounting to 114,750,000 shares. As of now, this holding is valued at approximately $2.6 billion. These shares are currently under a lockup agreement, a common feature of initial public offerings (IPOs), designed to prevent company insiders from immediately selling their shares and potentially destabilizing the stock. The lockup, which began after TMTG’s merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is set to expire on September 25, though it could end earlier if certain conditions are met.
Should Trump decide to sell his shares after the lockup expires, the market could respond in unpredictable ways. The sale of a substantial number of shares by a major stakeholder like Trump could flood the market, potentially driving down the stock price. Daniel Bradley, a finance professor at the University of South Florida, suggests that the market might react negatively to such a large sale, particularly if there aren’t enough buyers to absorb the supply. This could lead to a sharp decline in the stock’s value, impacting both Trump’s personal wealth and the company’s market standing.
Moreover, Trump’s involvement in Truth Social has been a key driver of investor interest. The platform, marketed as a free speech alternative to mainstream social media, has attracted a loyal user base largely due to Trump’s presence. If Trump were to sell his stake, it might signal a lack of confidence in the company, potentially shaking investor confidence and further depressing the stock price.
Trump’s decision is also influenced by his ongoing legal battles, which have already cost him over $100 million in legal fees. Selling his shares could provide a significant financial boost, helping him cover these mounting expenses. However, this move could also have political ramifications, especially as he continues his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race.
Trump Media’s success is closely tied to Trump’s political fortunes. The company’s stock has shown volatility in response to developments in the presidential race, with Trump’s chances of winning having a direct impact on the stock’s value. If Trump sells his stake, it could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his own political future, potentially undermining both his campaign and the company’s prospects.
Truth Social, the flagship product of TMTG, has faced challenges in generating traffic and advertising revenue, especially compared to established social media giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Despite this, the company’s valuation has remained high, fueled by investor speculation on Trump’s political future. If Trump remains in the race and manages to secure the presidency, the value of his shares could increase. Conversely, any missteps on the campaign trail could have the opposite effect, further destabilizing the stock.
As the lockup period comes to an end, Trump faces a critical decision that could shape the future of both his personal finances and Truth Social. Whether he chooses to hold onto his shares or cash out, the outcome will likely have significant consequences for the company, its investors, and Trump’s political aspirations.
Cochise County, AZ — Law enforcement officials in Arizona have apprehended Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old resident of Cochise County, after a manhunt was launched following alleged death threats he made against former President Donald Trump. The threats reportedly surfaced in social media posts over the past two weeks, as Trump visited the US-Mexico border in Cochise County on Thursday.
Syvrud, who hails from Benson, Arizona, located about 50 miles southeast of Tucson, was captured by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday afternoon. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest, stating, “This subject has been taken into custody without incident.”
In addition to the alleged threats against Trump, Syvrud is wanted for multiple offences, including failure to register as a sex offender. He also faces several warrants in both Wisconsin and Arizona, including charges for driving under the influence and a felony hit-and-run.
The timing of the arrest coincided with Trump’s visit to Cochise County, where he toured the US-Mexico border. During his visit, Trump addressed the ongoing border issues and criticized his political rival, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, for what he described as lax immigration policies. When asked by reporters about the ongoing manhunt for Syvrud, Trump responded, “No, I have not heard that, but I am not that surprised and the reason is because I want to do things that are very bad for the bad guys.”
This incident marks the latest in a series of threats against political figures during the current election cycle. Just earlier this month, a 66-year-old Virginia man was arrested on suspicion of making death threats against Vice President Kamala Harris and other public officials.
Media
Trump Media & Technology Group Faces Declining Stock Amid Financial Struggles and Increased Competition
Trump Media & Technology Group’s stock has taken a significant hit, dropping more than 11% this week following a disappointing earnings report and the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the rival social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This decline is part of a broader downward trend for the parent company of Truth Social, with the stock plummeting nearly 43% since mid-July. Despite the sharp decline, some investors remain unfazed, expressing continued optimism for the company’s financial future or standing by their investment as a show of political support for Trump.
One such investor, Todd Schlanger, an interior designer from West Palm Beach, explained his commitment to the stock, stating, “I’m a Republican, so I supported him. When I found out about the stock, I got involved because I support the company and believe in free speech.” Schlanger, who owns around 1,000 shares, is a regular user of Truth Social and is excited about the company’s future, particularly its plans to expand its streaming services. He believes Truth Social has the potential to be as strong as Facebook or X, despite the stock’s recent struggles.
However, Truth Social’s stock performance is deeply tied to Trump’s political influence and the company’s ability to generate sustainable revenue, which has proven challenging. An earnings report released last Friday showed the company lost over $16 million in the three-month period ending in June. Revenue dropped by 30%, down to approximately $836,000 compared to $1.2 million during the same period last year.
In response to the earnings report, Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes emphasized the company’s strong cash position, highlighting $344 million in cash reserves and no debt. He also reiterated the company’s commitment to free speech, stating, “From the beginning, it was our intention to make Truth Social an impenetrable beachhead of free speech, and by taking extraordinary steps to minimize our reliance on Big Tech, that is exactly what we are doing.”
Despite these assurances, investors reacted negatively to the quarterly report, leading to a steep drop in stock price. The situation was further complicated by Trump’s return to X, where he posted for the first time in a year. Trump’s exclusivity agreement with Trump Media & Technology Group mandates that he posts personal content first on Truth Social. However, he is allowed to make politically related posts on other social media platforms, which he did earlier this week, potentially drawing users away from Truth Social.
For investors like Teri Lynn Roberson, who purchased shares near the company’s peak after it went public in March, the decline in stock value has been disheartening. However, Roberson remains unbothered by the poor performance, saying her investment was more about supporting Trump than making money. “I’m way at a loss, but I am OK with that. I am just watching it for fun,” Roberson said, adding that she sees Trump’s return to X as a positive move that could expand his reach beyond Truth Social’s “echo chamber.”
The stock’s performance holds significant financial implications for Trump himself, as he owns a 65% stake in Trump Media & Technology Group. According to Fortune, this stake represents a substantial portion of his net worth, which could be vulnerable if the company continues to struggle financially.
Analysts have described Truth Social as a “meme stock,” similar to companies like GameStop and AMC that saw their stock prices driven by ideological investments rather than business fundamentals. Tyler Richey, an analyst at Sevens Report Research, noted that the stock has ebbed and flowed based on sentiment toward Trump. He pointed out that the recent decline coincided with the rise of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, which may have dampened perceptions of Trump’s 2024 election prospects.
Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida, offered a grim long-term outlook for Truth Social, suggesting that the stock would likely remain volatile, but with an overall downward trend. “What’s lacking for the true believer in the company story is, ‘OK, where is the business strategy that will be generating revenue?'” Ritter said, highlighting the company’s struggle to produce a sustainable business model.
Still, for some investors, like Michael Rogers, a masonry company owner in North Carolina, their support for Trump Media & Technology Group is unwavering. Rogers, who owns over 10,000 shares, said he invested in the company both as a show of support for Trump and because of his belief in the company’s financial future. Despite concerns about the company’s revenue challenges, Rogers expressed confidence in the business, stating, “I’m in it for the long haul.”
Not all investors are as confident. Mitchell Standley, who made a significant return on his investment earlier this year by capitalizing on the hype surrounding Trump Media’s planned merger with Digital World Acquisition Corporation, has since moved on. “It was basically just a pump and dump,” Standley told ABC News. “I knew that once they merged, all of his supporters were going to dump a bunch of money into it and buy it up.” Now, Standley is staying away from the company, citing the lack of business fundamentals as the reason for his exit.
Truth Social’s future remains uncertain as it continues to struggle with financial losses and faces stiff competition from established social media platforms. While its user base and investor sentiment are bolstered by Trump’s political following, the company’s long-term viability will depend on its ability to create a sustainable revenue stream and maintain relevance in a crowded digital landscape.
As the company seeks to stabilize, the question remains whether its appeal to Trump’s supporters can translate into financial success or whether it will remain a volatile stock driven more by ideology than business fundamentals.
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