Former fitness influencer Julian Zietlow has caused a storm of outrage in Bali. He posted a video on Instagram of himself sitting naked, cross-legged, in front of a small temple somewhere in the jungle. He holds an e-cigarette to his nose, grimaces and seems strangely distant.
“It’s time for everyone to dare to speak out,” said an outraged user. “That’s what they are, the uneducated people with pale faces who feel exclusive,” mutters another.
Fake news fuels sentiment against Julian Zietlow
There is no doubt: the sheer disrespect in a sacred place was enough to provoke residents and authorities. Police and immigration services have been looking for Zietlow for several days.
The mood in the holiday paradise is now also being fueled by fake news. One of these false reports even made it to the international press; the ‘Daily Mail’ fell for it – and from there it is now spreading further. She has already arrived in Germany.
“I wanted to help him and offered a loan.”
It’s pretty clear that this is a bullshit report, probably originally intended as satire. She was the first to create an Instagram account that is no longer accessible.
Zietlow gets an apology of sorts, but that only makes things worse. The alleged Zietlow is further quoted as saying that he met a Balinese rice farmer in financial need. «I wanted to help him and offered a loan. We agreed that he would pledge his land as security. After he failed to make his payments, the land was legally mine.”
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The poor farmer is now allowed to sleep in the small guest cabin with his family until everything is renovated for Airbnb, the fake Zietlow continues. He moved into the large house himself and was now also the owner of the farmland and the temple. And further:
Wave of anger: ‘Sick of waste tourists’
A successful Indonesian entrepreneur, who is very active on Instagram and has many followers, shared the message angrily. “We are tired of garbage tourists abusing our homeland,” she wrote.
The wave of anger that has rolled in since then has been enormous. “Maybe we open the door too wide and let the dirt in,” says one comment. “How can a pale face take over Indonesian land?”, in another.
Can Zietlow remain unrecognized in Bali?
The underlying fear, which has its roots in the brutal experiences of the colonial era, is expressed by another commentator: “If land is exchanged for money, it will not be long before we are slaves again in our own land.”
The excitement also has personal consequences for Zietlow: with the speed at which outrage grows and this kind of false news is shared, the influencer’s photos are also spreading across the country. If he is still in Bali, it may be difficult for him not to be recognized. One of Zietlow’s archenemies is looking forward to it. “The settlement will take place in prison in Bali,” wrote rapper Fler.
Used sources:
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
