
Eyal Yakoby, a prominent Gen Z influencer and Israeli researcher, has publicly condemned "new media" for disseminating "complete lies," asserting that they are "worse than the legacy media." His strong criticism, shared via social media, highlights a growing concern over the integrity of information in the digital age and the role of online platforms in shaping public perception. Yakoby's statement comes amid ongoing debates about media credibility and the proliferation of misinformation.
Yakoby, a University of Pennsylvania graduate and incoming MIT student, has gained recognition for his active efforts in combating misinformation, particularly concerning Israel and antisemitism. With over 90,000 followers on X and Instagram, he frequently exposes what he identifies as false narratives and propaganda. He has also testified before the House Judiciary Committee, advocating against antisemitic protests on college campuses.
A significant example supporting Yakoby's claims is his recent exposure of a false narrative surrounding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Following Kirk's death, conspiracy theories emerged online, falsely linking Israel to the incident. Yakoby identified and highlighted two social media accounts, allegedly based in Pakistan, that were instrumental in seeding this antisemitic falsehood.
"Imagine how pathetic you need to be to post complete lies… These people are ruining the new media—they are worse than the legacy media and the people who make excuses for them are just serving the legacy media," Yakoby stated in his tweet.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by digital platforms in controlling the rapid spread of unverified information, often amplified by foreign actors. Yakoby's work consistently points to external influences attempting to manipulate public opinion and distort facts, particularly in sensitive geopolitical contexts. His critique emphasizes the urgent need for robust digital hygiene and critical evaluation of online content.