Fake social media post brings out the bigots
Bigots have been triggered by a fake online poll saying that Rosie Jones has come top of a list of funniest British female comedians, followed by Eddie Izzard and Victoria Wood.
No source has been cited, nor any evidence apparent online of a real survey taking place, but the fake news has triggered more ableist and transphobic abuse on social media, which was never in danger of running out.
A typical comment, from a user with two Union Jacks in his handle, was: ‘ Rosie Jones only gets airtime because she has cerebral palsy, she's simply not funny and it's an insult to other female comedians, Eddie Izzard wasn't funny as a man, isn't funny as a woman and is an all round embarrassment.’
Some of the posts quote a website called Rankerz, which does not exist. The website Ranker, where users can register a vote, has Victoria Wood at No1, Caroline Aherne at No2 and Jennifer Saunders at No3.
Published: 13 Sep 2024