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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

"Following Digital Breadcrumbs"

In response to Monday's class discussion on Politiwoops and opposition research firms:

On March 28, The New York Times announced the hiring of 20 new online opinion writers. Gawker looked back at the work of one of the new hires, Razib Khan, and found Khan had a “history with racist, far-right online publications.” In response to Gawker’s article, the New York Times fired Khan.

Following the announcement that Trevor Noah will be the new host of The Daily Show, tweets as far back as 2009 have resurfaced that are calling into question Comedy Central’s decision. The New York Times asks “why his Twitter account was not more carefully vetted before he was named host of “The Daily Show." Comedy Central's response to Noah's controversial tweets: “Like many comedians, Trevor Noah pushes boundaries; he is provocative and spares no one, himself included. To judge him or his comedy based on a handful of jokes isunfair. Trevor is a talented comedian with a bright future at Comedy Central.”


Both are instances of opposition research. The New York Times was influenced by Gawker's article while Comedy Central is not retracting their support of Noah.  

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