AFP Fact Check reported that a Facebook post even went on to add, “The CEO of a Netflix, Reed Hastings has been caught by FBI agents with 13,000 files of child pornography. He was arrested at his home in California.” Notably, the post was shared as many as 400 times since September 12.
News Agencies Refute Netflix CEO Arrest Claims
However, as the claims began to spread like wild fire on social media platforms, news agencies quickly refuted the arrest claims, calling it Fake News. But, despite such news reports, misleading information continued to spread further on the social media. Notably, the circulation of these fake reports was not limited to English media alone. Social media posts alleging Netflix CEO Hastings arrest were also circulated in Italian, Spanish, German and Portuguese.
Truth behind the Netflix CEO Arrest
This also prompted us to bring you the whole truth behind the issue. If you dig deeper into the issue and read credible news reports, you’ll realise that the whole issue linking Netflix to alleged child trafficking actually centres around a Netflix Special rather than the CEO himself. The well-known fact checking agency, AFP Fact Check has reportedly confirmed with the concerned officials that the Netflix CEO was not arrested and the rumour was in fact started by a fringe news site. “Netflix CEO arrested Toronto” become a yet another popular search term on search engines after several FB posts credited the Netflix CEO arrest claims to a website called Toronto Today. It had reportedly published an article, “Netflix CEO gets busted with 13,000 files of child pornography” earlier this month. TOP 5 BEST NEWS APP IN INDIA FOR ANDROID AND IPHONE However, it doesn’t seem like an accidental error on Toronto Today’s part. Interestingly, it isn’t the first time the newly registered news website has been at the heart of spreading various pieces of Fake News. But, nevertheless, fake news claiming Netflix CEO Arrest has once again highlighted the role of more credible news sources and need for discretion on the users’ part as well.
Then, why #CancelNetflix and Boycott?
While the social media reports claiming Netflix CEO Hastings arrest were fake news, boycott calls to #CancelNetflix have been largely true and much more genuine. Among several films that came to Netflix in September was also a French movie called, “Cuties.” It is being alleged that the movie portrays minor stars in a sexualised way. Consequently, critics from across the spectrum have opposed the streaming of Cuties on Netflix with the hashtag #CancelNetflix on Twitter. Simultaneously, Ted Cruz, a Republican US Senator has also written to the Justice Department to probe into the matter. Cruz has urged the Department to review the French Film for potential violations of concerned federal laws against the production and distribution of child pornography in the country.
