Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Native American Activists Score Elaborate Washington Redskins Name Change Hoax

And why not? Everything's fake news nowadays.

Memeorandum picked this up as if it was a real story at the Washington Post, "Native Leaders Celebrate a Victory as Washington Football Changes Mascot to the Redhawks."


But see USA Today, "Native advocacy group stages elaborate Washington Redskins name change hoax":
A group of Native advocates called the Rising Hearts Coalition created an elaborate series of fake news articles and websites mirroring major outlets to make it seem like the Washington Redskins announced the organization has changed its controversial name to become the “Washington Redhawks.”

A page designed to look like an exact replica of the Washington Post declared “Native Leaders Celebrate a Victory as Washington Football Changes Mascot to the Redhawks,” but a closer look at the site’s URL reveals that it’s not a genuine article. Similar fabrications representing Sports Illustrated, ESPN and Bleacher Report articles have also been circulating around social media.

The group responsible for the hoax also launched a rebranded team website, WashingtonRedhawks.com.

Redskins owner Daniel Synder has said the team will never change its name, citing the organization’s “great tradition.” The Redskins addressed the hoax Wednesday afternoon.

In a press release, the group responsible announced it will host a press conference in front of RFK Stadium Thursday.
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