Duterte Oxford University is 'school for stupid people'

Duterte Oxford University is 'school for stupid people'

Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed Oxford University as a 'school for stupid people' after its study claimed he paid 'keyboard trolls' to boost his popularity online.
The controversial president lashed out after being asked about a study called 'Troops, Trolls and Troublemakers: A Global Inventory of Organised Social Media Manipulation'.
Oxford's research claimed he paid $200,000 in 2016 - when he was elected - for a cyber army to launch a social media campaign using civilians and groups to back him online.
Although the 72-year-old has admitted paying others to defend him on social media during his election campaign, he has denied claims that it continued once he was in power.
And speaking to the news outlet Rappler, he said: 'Now I do not need it. I do not need to defend myself against attacks. I stated my piece during my inauguration and my campaign. Oxford University? That’s a school for stupid people.'
The university, named the best in the world in 2016 in the Times Higher Education global rankings, carried out research examining how governments around the world allegedly use fake social media accounts for political reasons.

According to the Telegraph, the report claims 'many of the so-called "keyboard trolls" hired to spread propaganda for presidential candidate Duterte during the election continue to spread and amplify messages in support of his policies now he’s in power.'
Duterte ascended to the presidency last year after campaigning on his extra-tough approach on crime as a prosecutor and later as mayor of southern Davao city.
He has remained popular despite thousands of deaths in his nationwide anti-drug crackdown, and his continuing popularity and the ineffective opposition have apparently emboldened him.