Mary Kate Cornett is a 19-year-old college freshman. Now, her life has been completely upended after a made-up story about her was shared widely on social media. The rumor had fanned out across campus, executed with military precision, on YikYak — the anonymous messaging app goldmined by impressionable collegians. It alleged that Cornett engaged in an unprofessional, sexual relationship with her boyfriend’s father. Once friends and advocates alerted her to the situation, that led to a dangerous and terrifying chain reaction of harassment, intimidation, and trauma for Cornett and her family.
This explosive rumor took the twittersphere by storm, distracting everyone. It even received a mention on “The Pat McAfee Show”! Cornett’s name quickly climbed the ranks as a hot topic on X. Hundreds of posts incorrectly identified her as the woman at the center of the scandal. Since the news first leaked, Cornett has been inundated with phone calls and texts. Some critics have even taken to sending her death threats. She documented the times when actual strangers would stop her on the street and say that she “deserved to die” because of these baseless accusations.
Mary Kate Cornett’s family has suffered an immeasurable amount of anguish since this story first surfaced. They have all been subjected to an intense and public campaign of vile insults and harassment based on the baseless rumor. Cornett revealed how badly the experience has impacted her mental health. She currently has to deal with more sleepless nights and increased anxiety.
“First of all, this rumor is 100% completely false and it is quite frankly, inexcusable that such disturbing accusations went viral,” – Mary Kate Cornett
The impact of the incident has caught the attention of legal experts. Monica Uddin, Cornett’s attorney, says this case is a textbook example of cyberbullying. She sees it as a good starting point for a defamation suit. Uddin sent a strong message about the gravity of disseminating misinformation, saying those who started the rumor will be held accountable.
“Defamation has existed for a long time. You can’t lie about someone with impunity — and that’s what has happened to Mary Kate,” – Monica Uddin
Uddin called out public intellectuals about how they navigate big, provocative, touchy subjects. He pointed out that just because you use the word “allegedly” doesn’t absolve people of accountability.
“Not using her name is not a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card; saying ‘allegedly’ is not a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card,” – Monica Uddin
Mary Kate Cornett is fired up and ready to rumble. She intends to sue Pat McAfee, ESPN, and all others who contributed to the dissemination of the false rumor following a traumatic incident. The plan has created momentum for greater accountability in media coverage, particularly when it comes to reporting that affects people’s lives.
Justin Cornett Mary Kate’s father portrayed his outrage as such. He was shocked that individuals with enormous platforms can push dangerous narratives without any attempt to verify the facts behind them. He was emphatic about the ethical obligation that goes along with building an audience.
“When you have a microphone and you have a platform, you have a responsibility to take on that role with the respect of the people you report on being paramount. If this were to happen to him, his daughter, his wife, someone he loves, he sure wouldn’t like it,” – Justin Cornett
The fallout from this rumor has completed a powerful full circle by exposing much larger issues around misinformation and its effects on marginalized people. Mary Kate Cornett said while her experience is personal, it is representative of a broader, more alarming trend.
“Cyber attacks based on nothing but lies and misinformation happen all too often,” – Mary Kate Cornett
She reiterated that everyone deserves to be treated better than that.
“If this happened to me, this could happen to anyone,” – Mary Kate Cornett
Cornett has endured terrible trauma, though she will not be defeated. She is in her own words “fiercely determined” to seek justice for herself, and to raise awareness to the dangers of unchecked rumors online. Carrie knows that holding these people accountable is key to making sure what happened to her doesn’t happen to anyone else again.