Strauss-Kahn scandal: online rumours are multiplying

Strauss-Kahn scandal: online rumors are multiplying

Reporters are providing live coverage on Twitter, and web users are also tweeting their own commentaries and views. Ever since Sunday, the web has been gripped by the DSK scandal. Online journalists and bloggers have embarked on a merciless hunt for scoops, giving rise to all sorts of rumours.

Theories of a plot against the IMF chief have quickly spread on the web. A young UMP activist and Nicolas Sarkozy’s former web campaign director were the first to have mentioned Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s arrest, on Twitter. Some feel this is evidence enough to accuse the party of instigating a set up.

Others have turned their attention to the 32 year old alleged victim, trying to reveal her identity. The name Ophelia was initially evoked and web users even claimed to have found her Facebook profile, which was deactivated shortly afterwards. It was in fact a hoax.

Because the maid is in fact called Nafissatou Diallo and is said to be from Guinea. Journalists from the site Slate Afrique met her family who say she is a divorced mother and has been living in the US for the past 13 years. And a photo was also uploaded, without being confirmed as authentic.

And another rumour is also circulating, concerning the lawyer hired to defend the alleged victim. Her brother apparently chose the lawyer through a search engine. Jeff Shapiro, an expert in medical mistakes and road accidents, has a web site on which he broadcasts videos of his appearances in diverse TV shows. The lawyer was quick to deny these rumours and says a friend put him in touch with the alleged victim.

"Planking" internet craze under fire in Australia

Facebook messages in memory of Acton Beale, a 20 year old Australian man who died on the 15th of May after falling from the seventh story of a block of flats. Many Australians have being paying tribute to the man who was killed whilst “planking” the latest local online craze, in which people lie face down in an unusual and often dangerous place before taking pictures and uploading them onto social networks.

The tragic accident has prompted the authorities to take action. The Queensland police have posted a press release on their web site, warning of the dangers of ‘planking’. In the document, the police state that young Australians are taking more and more risks to impress their online friends, and asks them to be as careful as possible.

But despite these warnings, planking enthusiasts continue to share photos and videos of their exploits online. The Facebook group ‘Planking Australia’ now has over 130 000 members and is teeming with shots of ‘plankers’, all in equally unusual places. The group has already been emulated abroad and similar pages have emerged in Norway, New Zealand and also in the US.

But it appears that for some, ‘planking ‘is already a thing of the past. A new equally dangerous craze has recently appeared online: ‘plonking’ which, as we can see in these online images, involves taking a photo of yourself squatting in a high up place.

Operation 56K: Internet for Libya

Modems to help anti-Gaddafi protesters get round the government imposed blackout. This is the aim of "Operation 56 K, Internet for Libya" which is hoping to reestablish internet connections, so that the rebels can share accounts online. Web users can get involved by donating their old 56K modems or by making a financial contribution via this web site.

YouTube channel honors fallen journalists

YouTube has teamed up with Washington’s museum of news ‘Newseum’ to launch a channel honoring fallen journalists. Web users will be able to watch videos made by these news professionals or interviews they have conducted.

Video of the day

This marriage proposal is quite simply incredible: Ginny, a young American woman is at the cinema, when a trailer made by her boyfriend Matt appears on screen, in which he says he wants to marry her. This short film, full of emotion, was shown just before the feature film, with the help of the cinema, and a friend who filmed Ginny’s reactions. Members of the future happy couple’s family and friends were also seated in the theatre, with one hundred or so strangers who were not in on the surprise.