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British journalists have become part of Johnson’s fake news machine

(27 Posts)
varian Wed 23-Oct-19 09:58:02

Peter Oborne, who previously described himself as "a strong brexiter" is a columnist for the Daily Mail and a former chief political correspondant for The Telegraph.

He writes "It’s chilling. From the Mail, The Times to the BBC and ITN, everyone is peddling Downing Street’s lies and smears. They’re turning their readers into dupes."

www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/british-journalists-have-become-part-of-johnsons-fake-news-machine/

lemongrove Wed 23-Oct-19 10:03:45

What nonsense ,although I can see why some would eagerly swallow it.

Nico97 Wed 23-Oct-19 10:12:14

What utter tosh - could be that it suits your mindset.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 23-Oct-19 10:15:36

Blimey those who voted remain are well and truly panicked!!!!

varian Wed 23-Oct-19 10:16:20

Peter Oborne is also a former lobby correspondent (on the Evening Standard, the Sunday Express and The Spectator)

He understands the need for access. The job of lobby journalists is to produce information. But he believes "there is now clear evidence that the prime minister has debauched Downing Street by using the power of his office to spread propaganda and fake news. British political journalists have got chillingly close to providing the same service to Boris Johnson that Fox News delivers for Donald Trump."

I think it is obvious that Peter Oborne, who voted leave in the fraudulent referendum, knows exactly what he is stating. It is certainly not nonsense and something we should all, especially those who are still being duped by Johnson's propaganda, read very carefully.

Elegran Wed 23-Oct-19 10:56:09

But this is not a remaner getting anxious, this is someone who describes himself as ""a strong brexiter" and who is a columnist for the Daily Mail, who says that ""It’s chilling. From the Mail, The Times to the BBC and ITN, everyone is peddling Downing Street’s lies and smears. They’re turning their readers into dupes." How can that be about just remainers?

" . I can see why some would eagerly swallow it." But you can't see how some are eagerly swallowing what Johnson says, even after his past lies? Could it be because it suits their mindset?

lemongrove Wed 23-Oct-19 11:08:54

Elegran you are mistaking the fact that some people may (or may not) believe every word that Johnson utters.I am not in that camp.However, to actually believe that all newspapers and the BBC and ITN are ‘peddling Downing St’s lies and smears’ and ‘turning readers into dupes’ is paranoia of the highest order.

humptydumpty Wed 23-Oct-19 11:11:38

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you...

Nonnie Wed 23-Oct-19 11:14:03

As a radio 4 listener I can assure you they give a lot more than 52% of their interviews to leavers and a lot less than 48% to remainers. We have a friend who used to work at the BBC and used to watch nothing else, she is a leaver who no longer trusts the BBC and refuses to watch it.

varian Wed 23-Oct-19 11:14:55

I do not believe that all newspapers are peddling Johnson's lies, but most do, those who reach over 80% of newspaper readers, are owned by tax dodging billionaires, heavily supported the lying leave campaign in 2016 and have continued to do so ever since.

paintingthetownred Wed 23-Oct-19 11:17:04

Discovered something that might be helpful. It is difficult, sometimes I find, and also for younger people (kids and grandkids) to be discerning about the news.

There is an independent charity called fullfact.org that has a very well laid out website which examines the truth behind the headlines of the day. I've found it useful. We're not supposed to post links here I don't think but if you google it you will find it. Useful also if you are trying to help a young person with their homework.

painting

Fennel Wed 23-Oct-19 11:17:36

It depends what you mean by fake news. Biased reporting has always gone on.
You only need to scan the headlines of the daily papers in one of the supermarkets. Each has a different view to "peddle".
Similar with tv channels.

Elegran Wed 23-Oct-19 11:29:06

Things said from number 10 at the moment would be sensational news, whatever they said and whether they were official communiques or "off-the-cuff" comments.

We have a PM with a penchant for doing things like claiming that he will send a letter conforming to a legal requirement and then sending it unsigned with a covering note saying "I don't really mean it" and with a history of inventing damaging EU fake stories in his media job, and other misleading. He can be expected to make sure that journalists receive what he wants them to print.

Certain media poodles don't apply any filter to what they publish - well, it all sells copies, doesn't it, and they thrive on it? He is the gift to Media tycoons that keeps on giving, on top of their enthusiasm for turning the UK into a tax haven for millionaires and wealthy speculators.

Nonnie Wed 23-Oct-19 11:54:24

paintingthetownred Wed 23-Oct-19 11:17:04 yes, its very good and dispels so many myths, unfortunately the people who need to read it are sometimes too closed minded to bother.

Other site are available grin

Davidhs Wed 23-Oct-19 12:49:20

The media in general do not exist to give us news they exist to make money, that includes the BBC who may be the least guilty of exaggerating any issue, they still have a editorial policy and concentrate on specific issues.

Public opinion is greatly influenced by what they read a view, truth and accuracy has nothing to do with it.

MaizieD Wed 23-Oct-19 12:56:31

The point of the article is that journalists are publishing unattributed false 'news'

It is a lengthy article which gives examples. I do hope that the people who, predictably, rubbished it have actually read it.

Dinahmo Wed 23-Oct-19 13:28:06

I watched part of PMQs today - the bit with Johnson and Corbyn. Corbyn asked several questions, none of which Johnson answered. Instead he came up with the usual statements - 40 new hospitals, thousands of new nurses, doctors etc plus an extra 20,000 police. In the case of the latter, it probably is 20,000 extra to the present numbers but it ignores the 20,000 plus that have been cut over the last 10 years. Some of his figures have already been discredited but still he repeats them.

All of the above to a cacophony from his back benches.

I have to hand it to him, he is quick on his feet but what he states needs further investigation. When asked about employment protection and the reason why it had been removed from the latest bill he said that ministers would be able to introduce such laws during the course of parliament.
Given the state of the present government, I can't see that happening any time soon.

Watching him my DH commented that this is an even worse government that Thatcher's.

Nonnie Wed 23-Oct-19 13:55:31

I think it is the job of, supposedly impartial, journalists to investigate what MPs saying as well as reporting it. They have a duty to not take sides. Of course we read what papers like the Telegraph and the Guardian with scepticism because we know they are not impartial but I expect better from public boradcasters.

Labaik Wed 23-Oct-19 15:04:12

I have yet to hear Johnson give a straight answer to anything...

absthame Wed 23-Oct-19 15:10:16

Ahhh for the days when reports were broadly factual and views etc were confined to the columns, editorials and the letters' page. They are sadly long long gone

Nonnie Wed 23-Oct-19 16:41:15

Labaik Wed 23-Oct-19 15:04:12 makes me wonder how he ever passed any exams when he clearly can't answer the question put grin

suziewoozie Wed 23-Oct-19 20:04:25

PO has just been on C4 news - well worth a watch

Whitewavemark2 Wed 23-Oct-19 20:06:05

Look at #downingstreetsource on twitter.

??

HootyMcOwlface Wed 23-Oct-19 20:07:32

I wonder if that ditch has been dug yet? I am willing to lend them a hand if necessary!

jura2 Wed 23-Oct-19 20:25:12

Priti Patel when questionned today by the Commission- was totally unable to give any answers to the questions asked re the kind of checks that would take place between UK and NI - she did not have a single clue sad

At least she didn't smirk ... a start sad