An internet conspiracy theorist tied to Alex Jones has launched a new website dedicated to attacking gun control advocate David Hogg, and claims it’s protected by free speech.
The content on “Hoggwatch.com” features content exclusively related to the 18-year-old Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student, who survived the February shooting that killed 17 people.
Many of the articles are written by Mike Adams, the founder of Natural News — a bombastic website seeking to debunk widely accepted scientific theories.
But Hoggwatch.com, which began publishing stories after the Feb. 14 massacre, pushes conspiracy theories that Hogg is a paid actor who wants to shift American ideology.
“It’s all THEATER: Florida high school shooting survivor caught on video rehearsing scripted lines, coached by camera man,” reads one headline on the website dated Feb. 19.
The website often refers to him as some variation of a “gun control fascist youth front man,” and disclaims that it’s protected by free speech.
“In some ways this is the definition of free speech in the modern era,” said Roy Gutterman, director of Syracuse University’s Tully Center for Free Speech.
“This is going to sound awful, but this is fair game for a certain segment of the population,” he told the New York Daily News. “Not everyone is going to agree with David Hogg’s politics or agenda, and likewise a lot of people aren’t going to agree with this website that’s trying to take him down.”
Hogg and classmate Emma Gonzalez have clashed with conservative pundits and celebrities over their calls for stricter gun laws in wake of the massacre.
Several advertisers pulled out of Laura Ingraham’s Fox News show after she mocked Hogg for not getting into UCLA and other universities.
Many posts on Hoggwatch.com are penned by writer JD Heyes, including one from last week with the headline “Marxist Democrats are exploiting young people like David Hogg to push ‘revolution’ in America.”
“After attacking Republicans and, in particular, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, for allowing the NRA to take part in the American political system — exactly like data-stealing Facebook, Google, and other Left-leaning Silicon Valley donors to the Democratic National Committee — Hogg did something, well, Hitler-esque,” the article reads, recalling Hogg’s speech at the “March For Our Lives” rally in Washington, D.C., last month. “He raised his right hand, fist clenched, in a way that smacked of Der Fuhrer.”
Hogg’s budding prominence in the political landscape — speaking at rallies and regularly appearing on TV — could hinder any sort of legal challenge he may want to bring for the weighted charges.
“He’s a full-blown public figure at this point, which would make it more difficult at this point to bring a libel lawsuit if he was going to,” said Gutterman, who also teaches journalism and previously practiced law.
Because of Hogg’s position, he said, he could launch his own site that counters the views of Hoggwatch.com.
“And then it’s left for readers to decide what to believe,” Gutterman said.
Adams rose to prominence pushing scientific theories about vaccinations being evil and HIV not leading to AIDS.
He’s also appeared on Jones’ controversial InfoWars show, which has pushed corruption allegations against Hillary Clinton and the media.
A call for comment to Natural News’ media line wasn’t immediately returned Tuesday.
A spokeswoman who only identified herself as Lacey M. told NBC News that Adams’ “schedule is completely booked and is not available for questions.”
Hoggwatch.com’s disclaimer at the bottom of the site denies responsibility for content penned by contributors.
Gutterman said that argument is a little weaker and cited the Communications Act, which protects social media sites who give third parties unfettered access to their platforms. Hoggwatch.com bills itself more like a news website, he said, which would have a say over what goes on it.
“At first glance it looks like a news website,” he told the Daily News. “I would say they have more editorial control over what they put on the site.”
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