The controversial journalist made remarks that vlogging is “nonsense” and has “no value” at a debate questioning whether young people today would prefer to become internet stars than find traditional work.
Katie Hopkins took part in a panel event titled ‘Can you make a career from blogging, or are generation Y living in a fantasy world when it comes to work?’ on 24 February.
Taking place at The Hospital Club, the debate featured celebrity columnist Zoe Griffin, journalist Tanya Gold, Sunday Times magazine columnist Katie Glass and blogger Danielle Peazer.
TenEighty were at the event live-tweeting. Many of her comments, which were highly critical of vlogging and young people, provoked negative responses from the online community.
Not long into the debate, Hopkins denounced the younger generation and vlogging in particular, saying there was no future for it.
https://twitter.com/oohgaryc/status/570307484780523522
Peazer, who reviews beauty products, said: “My blog started from a passion and with that, along with hard work, I have grown it into something very credible.”
In response Hopkins stated bloggers lacked the business acumen needed to be a long-term success, saying: “Writing about makeup is not a career.”
https://twitter.com/PhilisAmazing/status/570311325831839745
“Without he basic skills of being able to tread water, you just drown. Without the knowledge of business sense, they’ll sink,” she claimed.
Griffin defended her work: “I’ve got a maths degree, and set my limited company up. I write about celebrities because I like it – and make money from it.”
Hopkins also complained that vloggers only say positive things, to appeal to advertisers. “They drink less, take less drugs, they are the generation of squeaky clean. The old genre is more thrilling,” she added.
https://twitter.com/brainlex/status/570308261817294848
As the debate progressed, relentless Hopkins became more scathing of the medium.”We are breeding a thick generation. Vlogging is nonsense,” she told the audience.
While the debate went on, TenEighty received a large number of responses to Hopkins’ comments. Here are some highlights:
@TenEightyUK shes literally just a paid opposition machine. If people said "oh yh vlogging is bad actually" shed say… oh…i quite like it
— Myles (@itsamemyleo) February 24, 2015
@TenEightyUK @DaniellePeazer "I fight against a different sort of cancerous growth- the working class" –@KTHopkins , probably.
— J (@Kingofjedlions) February 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/oohgaryc/status/570311548926861313
Footage from the debate will be uploaded to The Hospital Club’s YouTube channel later this week.
Photo credit: Hospital Club
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