Southend News Network Explained
| Southend News Network |
| Type: | Entertainment website |
| Author: | Simon Harris |
| Current Status: | Inactive |
Southend News Network was a news parody website that aimed to "have a dig at the powers that be". Starting as a local spoof news site from the UK, it shot to national, and then international, fame after several cases where an SNN story caused confusion by being taken as fact,[1] including by the English Defence League, a far-right network.[2] Another claim to fame was their recognition as an "official media outlet" by local government.[3]
Following a news article on the Essex Live news website revealing the owner, Mr Simon Harris, had received almost £500,000 over the course of three years for "community engagement" during the pandemic that primarily included running a Facebook page, the Southend News Network site was no longer accessible.[4]
In January 2018, journalist Milo Yiannopoulos read out during a live YouTube broadcast an article from the site prompting questions about his source checking.[5]
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Facebook users turn on mum who put £50 minimum spend on presents for son's birthday party, but the joke's on them. Lynch . Alison . 24 February 2016 . Metro . Associated Newspapers Limited . 19 August 2017 .
- Web site: EDL falls for story on hot cross buns without crosses published on spoof news site Southend News Network . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/edl-falls-for-story-on-hot-cross-buns-without-crosses-published-on-spoof-news-site-southend-news-a6917276.html . 2022-05-24 . subscription . live . Sandhu . Serina . 7 March 2016 . The Independent . Independent Print Limited . 19 August 2017 .
- Web site: Spoof news site 'becomes official' after Facebook and Twitter success. 20 February 2016 . BBC . 19 August 2017 .
- Web site: Lee. Matt. Essex Council paid social media prankster £500k to run Facebook group during pandemic. Essex Live. 11 January 2024. 10 January 2024.
- Web site: Nesling. Jodie. Kent 'celebrity' mocked for falling for spoof news article. Kent Online. 17 January 2018. 16 January 2018.
