A Facebook post circulating claims that CNN reported the ‘Chill Guy’ meme as a hate symbol embraced by racist right wingers. The post includes an altered image of a CNN article with a headline suggesting the meme is a new symbol of hate. However, a spokesperson for CNN confirmed that the image in the post is fabricated and not something published by CNN. The genuine CNN article from 2019 discusses the prevalence of hate symbols but makes no mention of the ‘Chill Guy’ meme. The meme itself emerged in 2023 and has been used in various contexts, including mainstream brand advertisements.
The post misrepresents the original CNN article by altering the image, changing the publication date, and adding fabricated information about the meme. CNN has clarified that they did not report the ‘Chill Guy’ meme as a hate symbol, and the image in the post is inaccurate. USA TODAY and other fact-checking organizations have debunked this claim, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before sharing it online.
This incident highlights the prevalence of misinformation on social media platforms and the need for critical thinking and fact-checking. It also underscores the responsibility of individuals to verify the accuracy of information before sharing it to prevent the spread of false narratives.
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