This season of Media Policy Memes will end with an example of parody-based user generated content that brought UK’s press regulation debate to the forefront of social media. The #PopLeveson Twitter Hashtag trend was born in the midst of the 2012 Leveson Inquiry.
In parody, Twitter users imaged an alternate trial in which Lord Justice Leveson and Robert Jay QC cross-examined famous pop stars using their own lyrics.
Twitter users mocked the trial proceedings, and the famous style of “no-nonsense” Robert Jay QC, by placing famous pop icons as witnesses and cross-examining them with lyrics from their own songs.
Participating “Tweeters” cross-examined each artist with “the Leveson treatment”, with a judicial examination based on their own song lyrics. The musicians who “stood trial” on Twitter included the likes of Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Bob Geldof, and The Beatles.
Thousands of people took part in this trending hashtag, including BBC correspondent Robert Peston, spin doctor Alastair Campbell and ex-deputy PM John Prescott.
#PopLeveson has even earned a place as one of Twitters funniest hashtags, with an Eponymous book named in its honour.
Some highlights from the #popleveson Hashtag:
Alastair Campbell @campbellclaret
Mr Mercury, if you put a gun against his head, pulled the trigger and now he’s dead, then a guilty plea might save time #popleveson
Dave Turner @ArmyofDave
You may call it ‘sexual healing’, Dr Gaye, but I contend that some would consider it ‘serious medical malpractice’. #popleveson
Robert Peston @Peston
Mr Marley, your admission of guilt in the sheriff case is admirable, but can I remind you it’s the deputy we are interested in #popleveson
Joe Pickering @Joethepublicist
You continue to blame it on the boogie, Mr Jackson. But evidence suggests that sunshine, moonlight & good times played a part #popleveson
Rafael Behr @rafaelbehr
I would remind your hips, Ms Shakira, that they are in any case under oath. #popleveson
Emma sheldon @EmmaJSheldon
Mr Timberlake, you claim to be bringing sexy back, but why did you not alert the authorities when you realised it was missing #popleveson
Claire Coady @claire_coady
Surely you accept, Ms Spears, that ‘Oops’ is an insufficient explanation for why, indeed, you did it again? #popleveson
Hugo Rifkind @hugorifkind
But I put it to you that not all Mondays are entirely unsatisfactory, are they Mr Geldof? #popleveson.
