An article saying Facebook will start charging about $3 per month starting Nov. 1, 2014, is satire.
It was published on The National Report, which doesn’t post up real news.
“At a press conference this morning, Facebook rolled out their new monthly service plan. Beginning November 1st of this year, the social media giant will start charging members $2.99/mo to use services that users currently enjoy for free,” it says.
The bunk article then includes fake quotes from CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Later, the article goes on to cite a nonexistent CNN article while using even more bogus quotes from fake Facebook users.
In the past few days, the article has more than one million shares and “likes” on Facebook, confusing many on social media websites.
Here’s a disclaimer from the National Report that has since been taken down.
“DISCLAIMER: National Report is a news and political satire web publication, which may or may not use real names, often in semi-real or mostly fictitious ways. All news articles contained within National Report are fiction, and presumably fake news. Any resemblance to the truth is purely coincidental . The views expressed by writers on this site are theirs alone and are not reflective of the fine journalistic and editorial integrity of National Report. Advice given is NOT to be construed as professional. If you are in need of professional help (and you may be if you are on this page), please consult a professional. National Report is intended for a mature audience and not for children under the age of 18.”
A number of users commented on the report as if it were real.
“Believe me….now that they are doing this, a lot of people will be deactivating their accounts…and im one of them,” wrote one person in the comments section.
Added another: “Well! Easy! I know that many can afford that so I’m sure many user will stop using facebook so it will become boring!!! So useless even you pay $2.99 you will not also satisfied because you can only see posting all paid user how if 80% of my friends can’t afford to pay? So It’s nonsense to pay if your face book become boring!!!”
“This is an outrage! Facebook was meant to be free, dammit. I’m not paying $2.99 a month. I’m fighting to remedy this!” said another.
