CNN reddit situation- Blackmailed user wrong person? BUZZFEED exposing CNN?!

[barneystinson69]

Lafiel said:

DarthMetalliCube said:

IRRELIVENT. 

We're not talking about his past history, we're talking about this specific post, which is what they are specifically targetting. People are capable of horrible and idiotic behavior, but a major news network is supposed to be above that.

And if you're going to defend this major news network essentially blackmailing a civilian over a fucking gif, (which is what I'm bewilderingly gathering here) than I have nothing more to say to you.

The posting history of said account isn't at all irrelevant, it contextualizes that the gif was part of a pattern of violence towards minorities and the media the user spread and the fame it brought him (by himself claiming it as his) made the user's previous post circulate in the social networks aswell.

Holding people accountable for what they elect to share to the public (and the internet is a freaking gigantic public) is part of the job of the media. That's not blackmail, CNN isn't extorting him and if what he posted in perceived anonymity (yet he posted information that made him identifiable) is something that can put his life in jeopardy (what kind of "jokes" do get this harmful to yourself as soon as you put your name to them, huh?) then that is his own personal responsibility. Atleast CNN gave him the option to remain anonymous.

Personally I think hatemongers need to be exposed and held accountable, no matter if they preach in churches, synagoges, mosques, other temples or the internet.

Btw as you said yourself, that one gif was harmless. It would have done nothing to his life if that was the worst he ever posted on that account and his real name was made public, so by saying he was "blackmailed" you acknowledged yourself that his posting history is in fact not irrelevant.

What the fuck are you talking about? How the fuck does this gif show violence against minorities? CNN lost their shit over nothing...