This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply. One of the more interesting stories in the journalism space over the past week has been the revelation that billionaire Peter Thiel has been secretly funding Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker. I think, not surprisingly, I agree most with John Gruber’s take: It’s free speech on both sides. Thiel was free to secretly back (and apparently strategically steer) Hogan’s case against Gawker. But Gawker founder Nick Denton was free to air his suspicion that Hogan had a billionaire Silicon Valley backer, and Forbes was free to out Thiel as said backer. And now commentators who are appalled are free to express their outrage at Thiel, perhaps embarrassing him and making it less likely that he or others of similar super-wealth will do this in the future. You’re free to do stupid shit under the banner of free speech, and I’m free to say so. Expand - View Original
I haven't read to much into it but is he doing this because Gawker is a competitor to him in some way? I don't get the motive
Would you have had a problem with a billionaire taking legal action against the people/publications behind the massive celebrity nudes leak last year?
If a billionaire who wasn't involved in the actual issue at hand took an interest in it because they didn't like a publication over other things - I can't think of any reputable ones that actually posted the images or did any reporting besides "this happened, it exists" - yeah I would have an issue with it. It's readily apparent Thiel isn't suing them over concern for Hulk Hogans privacy, otherwise he wouldn't be funded an asinine lawsuit filed by a wacko who claimed to have invented email. It's also honestly kind of unlikely he actually cares very much at this point that he was outed by them (which is and was reprehensible and bad) but has a vendetta due to their other reporting on him being a piece of shit human.
Screw Gawker and screw Nick Denton. They're getting exactly what they deserve, and to call them a "news outlet" is a comedic overstatement that simultaneously insults journalism. Worth reading… Peter Thiel’s Reminder to the Gawker Generation: Actions Have Consequences
Really? I hadn't seen that as of when I posted. Link by chance Edit: ah, found it. On his blog. Wasn't turning up on quick googles for whatever reason. Well, alright then. I dunno how trustworthy his claims are considering he has been pretty blatantly lying about inventing email for years but okay, if we take him at his word, then I retract that. Still not a good thing for someone to be able to drive a media outlet out of business threw sheer attrition of legal fees and decisions.
Thiel didn't pay off the Jury, judge or anything like that....he just paid for Hogan's legal expenses right? I don't see what is wrong about that. A jury still found them guilty without any outside influence.