ITV's ill-fated #massdebate hashtag twisted by Twitter ahead of party leaders' TV clash
Social media users are systemically trying to upend the UK political party leadership debate by making a mockery of ITV’s unfortunate hashtag #massdebate.
The hashtag was intended to publicise and engage viewers in tonight’s (Thursday 2 April) seven-way leaders' debate on ITV featuring the heads of the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP, SNP, Green Party and Plaid Cymru.
Some Twitter users knowingly made full use of the hashtag.
Ahead of the #MassDebate tonight I wonder if any of the leaders have a way of relieving tension?
— David Ginsberg (@alittledavetime) April 2, 2015
#massdebate? Seriously? Have they met the Internet?!
— Kate Day (@kate_day) April 2, 2015
Can't wait to get involved with this #MassDebate tonight. Hope my wife and Mother-in-Law don't object! Could get messy!
— Garth Westland (@GarthWestland) April 2, 2015
A bit excited for the #MassDebate tonight
— Emily Braham (@EmilyJaneBraham) April 2, 2015
#MassDebate on ITV tonight. Is Widdecombe on? Always wondered if I could MassDebate with her...
— Dean Basnett (@SirConwayTwitty) April 2, 2015
Hahaha just saw people using #massdebate as #tag for tonight's TV debate! Very good.
— Cat Boyd (@kittycatboyd) April 2, 2015
Don't you just hate it when bad things happen to good hashtags? http://t.co/30Mx5tHAME #massdebate pic.twitter.com/8aFD2aTrna
— #SunNation (@SunNation) April 2, 2015
The fact #MassDebate is the official hash tag for tonight is second only to #Susanalbumparty in recent social media PR fails.
— Phileephilop (@phileephilop) April 2, 2015
This can only be a joke... but appears to be true @itv create hashtag #MassDebate for tonight's party leader clash...
— BenHurst (@BenHurst) April 2, 2015
who exactly would one #massdebate over anyway. Nicola Sturgeon? Nigel Farage? Stuff of nightmares.
— Fiona-Natasha Syms (@fifisyms) April 2, 2015
Social media users will always twist any hashtag given the chance as Penguin recently found out with its ill-fated #YourMum mother’s day online campaign.