When it comes to social media, controversy isn’t just a side act – it is the main event. It is a space where discussions span from seemingly trivial matters to globally significant events. One evening, individuals may engage in heated debates over the nuances of Hailey Bieber’s alleged Selena Gomez imitation, transforming celebrity conflicts into trending hashtags. The following morning, you might wake up to the jarring news of one country invading another. As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s take a look at some of the controversies that dominated the discourse.
1. Zara Faces Backlash For Gaza-Inspired Ad Campaign
Spanish fashion giant Zara was under fire on social media for its ad campaign, titled ‘The Jacket,’ part of the Atelier series. Criticised for alleged parallels with the destruction in Gaza, the campaign features model Kristen McMenamy with a mannequin covered in white cloth amid the rubble. Social media users draw connections to images from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
2. Deepfake Controversy: AI’s Puppetry Hits India
Deepfake technology, a digital puppeteer on the rise for almost a decade, makes headlines with controversies. From a distorted video of Ukraine’s President Zelensky to an Indian scandal involving actress Rashmika Mandana, deepfakes stir debates on their impact and ethical concerns.
3. The Kerala Story
The Kerala Story, which premiered in theatres on May 5, became embroiled in controversy from the moment its trailer was unveiled in November 2022. The film, featuring actress Adah Sharma in the lead role, stirred controversy as her character alleged that 32,000 women in Kerala had vanished after being recruited by the Islamic State (IS) group. This claim, lacking substantiation and deemed an exaggerated estimate, triggered widespread outrage. Alt News conducted an investigation and found “no evidence” to support the stated figure.
4. Name Game: India’s G-20 Invitation Raises Eyebrows
India’s government, led by PM Narendra Modi, opted for ‘President of Bharat’ over ‘President of India’ on a G-20 Summit invitation. The shift, laden with political undertones, triggers speculation, especially as it coincides with the formation of the opposition alliance named INDIA.
5. Elon Musk’s X vs. Media Matters
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, took legal action against Media Matters for America, alleging data manipulation to “destroy” the platform. Advertisers, including Apple and Disney, paused their ads after claims of antisemitic posts on X. Media Matters, called Musk a bully, and asserts ads supporting nazism were present.
6. Cancelled Punjabi Singer Sparks Controversy
Punjabi singer Shubh, aka Shubhneet Singh, faced cancellation over alleged support for Khalistan and separatists. boAt withdrew sponsorship for his India tour after a social media uproar over his Instagram story omitting parts of India, leading to calls for boycotting.
7. Melissa Barrera Axed from Scream Sequel Over Social Media Posts
Actress Melissa Barrera was fired from the next Scream film sequel due to perceived antisemitism in her pro-Palestinian social media posts. Production company Spyglass emphasizes a “zero tolerance for antisemitism.”
8. Social Media Backlash Forces Influencer’s Apology
In a now-deleted clip, an influencer, who goes by the name KSI, used a derogatory term during a game, sparking online backlash. The influencer issued a swift apology and took a brief hiatus from social media.
9. UFO Enthusiast’s Alien Claims
An unprecedented occurrence unfolded in Mexico on September 12 when purported alien corpses were presented to lawmakers in Congress. According to reports from various Mexican media outlets, cited by The Independent, two claimed ‘alien corpses’ were showcased during a public hearing at the Mexico Congress. This revelation followed the screening of several videos featuring ‘UFOs and unidentified anomalous phenomena.’ Notably, the entirety of the Mexico Congress public hearing, including these extraordinary displays, was broadcast via live stream.
10. Nolan’s Oppenheimer Film Stirs Controversy
Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer faced controversy over a scene where the titular character, played by Cillian Murphy, engages in intercourse while reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita. Social media opinions were divided, with hashtags like #BoycottOppenheimer and #RespectHinduCulture trending.
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