A Daily Mail article on the beauty vlogger’s purchase of a new home for her and boyfriend Alfie has prompted criticism from many online users.
Zoe Sugg has been the centre of an online backlash against several media outlets, following a story originally published by the Daily Mail. The article, about her purchase of a new house with boyfriend Alfie Deyes, contained a street view picture of the property, and also stated its location and price, sparking controversy online. In reaction to the release of the article, Zoe took to Twitter to voice her concern.
It's such a shame in a world full of online bullying and issues with safety & privacy even the media can't help themselves on a dull day.
— Zoë (@Zoella) February 17, 2015
The Mirror and Heat Magazine also ran similar stories, with the Mirror’s article including more detailed and comprehensive photos of the property.
Many members of the YouTube community have rallied to support Zoe, and expressed concern that reporting on the event this way could impact negatively on the couple’s safety and well-being.
obviously the Daily Mail are already scum, but endangering a YouTuber by publishing photos of their house? TOP NOTCH. THEY MUST BE SO PROUD
— Hex Croucher ✨💀 (@lexcanroar) February 17, 2015
Staying safe/protecting ourselves from those who stalk/harm us, is hard enough without the media giving out our personal information!
— Beckie Jane Brown (@BeckieJBrown) February 17, 2015
In addition to the issues raised surrounding exposing the property’s location, others pointed out the specific references to the price of the home in each of the articles.
God, the media reportage on Zoe's new home has left me so annoyed. She earned that money so who are they to shame her for investing it?
— Lucy Full Moon 🔮 (@meowitslucy) February 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/oohgaryc/status/567765783359795201
This is not the first story to garner criticism from the YouTube community for how it reports on the website and its users. Zoella’s success has been the subject of several articles the past few months, and last year Vice ran an article titled Vain and Inane: The Rise of Britain’s Dickhead Vloggers.
The article, which singled out Alfie for criticism, faced mass condemnation from the community. In reply TenEighty ran a response article, Biased and Brash: Why Mainstream Media Doesn’t Understand Vlogging.
Several online users reiterated this belief that how traditional media reports on topics such as Zoe’s new house are as a result of their lack of understanding of the YouTube platform.
https://twitter.com/Ollie__Martin/status/567708139567742976
Youtube bloggers bought a big house.
Let's all freak out. How could they do this. How.
— Bry 🐼 (@BryOnTour) February 17, 2015
I'm so disappointed in traditional media today. It reminds me how great our online community is and how much support and sense we have. <3
— Booo!ouise (@LouisePentland) February 17, 2015
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