Riots in Southport

Re social media, I am surprised when some on here ask for advice from any doctors or other professionals on this forum, you have no idea if people are who the say they are.

It’s considered unethical journalism

Macadia

I wonder why publishing lies in the news isn't against the law. Or is it?

I think they sometimes have to apologise but it’s usually hidden away on one of the back pages. I’ve never got over the front page headline saying ‘The Queen supports Vote Leave’ which was a blatant lie. As someone that was brought up to not lie it’s something that I’ve never been able to comprehend. I even get embarrassed if I’m telling the truth but feel that people think that I’m telling a lie.

I wonder why publishing lies in the news isn't against the law. Or is it?

Meant to say comments like these. However, just my opinion.

Urmstongran

Cadeby

It started when a person of a certain religion was found and arrested heading to the vigil with a machete

As if by magic, vans full of creatures wearing specially designed items of clothing turn up? Too hideous to even type the details.

And yet similar ‘creatures’ (Muslim this time, let’s not mince words) corralled themselves outside that school in Batley in 2021. Both sides are at fault. Both sides are out of control at times.

“Three years ago, on 25 March 2021, a teacher from Batley Grammar School (BGS) in West Yorkshire was forced into hiding after a religious studies class he gave led to protests from Muslim parents and to death threats. Today, that incident has been largely forgotten. Except by the teacher.”

Source: The Guardian

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/31/batley-school-what-teacher-in-hiding-can-tell-us-about-our-failure-to-tackle-intolerance#:~:text=Three%20years%20ago%2C%20on,Except%20by%20the%20teacher.

And more recently, Leeds?
I hate this so called ‘two-tier policing’. It inflames tensions.

And inflames unrest!

Cadeby

*It started when a person of a certain religion was found and arrested heading to the vigil with a machete*

As if by magic, vans full of creatures wearing specially designed items of clothing turn up? Too hideous to even type the details.

And yet similar ‘creatures’ (Muslim this time, let’s not mince words) corralled themselves outside that school in Batley in 2021. Both sides are at fault. Both sides are out of control at times.

“Three years ago, on 25 March 2021, a teacher from Batley Grammar School (BGS) in West Yorkshire was forced into hiding after a religious studies class he gave led to protests from Muslim parents and to death threats. Today, that incident has been largely forgotten. Except by the teacher.”

Source: The Guardian

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/31/batley-school-what-teacher-in-hiding-can-tell-us-about-our-failure-to-tackle-intolerance#:~:text=Three%20years%20ago%2C%20on,Except%20by%20the%20teacher.

And more recently, Leeds?
I hate this so called ‘two-tier policing’. It inflames tensions.

I’m the bore who keeps saying on Gransnet that I don’t believe anything until I’ve read it on several reputable sites. The social media frenzy of the Nicola Bulley case was my wake-up call, it really upset me.

Re - social media.

Yes we all need to sort of re-learn our attitude to social media - even on this forum.

I am now beginning to check everything i read.

One of the first ones I remember on GN was back in 2016 - it stuck in my mind because the username was the same name as the person who murdered Joe Cox. That username was around spouting extreme incorrect “facts” right up to 23rd June 2016. Then disappeared. There were others and have been others over the years.

I am ashamed to learn that I read social media pseudofacts that were lately found to be implanted by foreign (maybe Russia) media? I don't know who or what reported incorrectly on this and had it repeated one thousand times on social media. I fell for it and am utterly ashamed. I am sorry that the rioters fell for this trap too. I am beyond words.

I doubt if there would be much point "talking" to them. Bigotry is in their DNA. They're bullies and don't want to listen to anybody else's point of view. They're not "immediately" labelled as far right thugs, but what would you suggest they be called? They've been here for as long as I remember under various guises, but every so often, circumstances allow them to come out from the woodwork. FWIW they have Reform now, so maybe they should try and be represented in Parliament because that's how things should work in the UK.

Does anyone actually sit down with these groups and ask them what they want and exactly why they are rioting or are they just immediately labelled as far right thugs ? Many of them probably are thugs but not all - some will have strong feelings which are being ignored to the peril of the rest of you. Communication doesn’t seem to happen at all. Very easy to chuck round labels but that probably just encourages them and gives fuel to the fire.

Wyllow3

Have we the power to block X and similar? People do get banned from these platforms.

I don't think we do. In any case, unless we want to live in a country like North Korea, we can't stop people from accessing social media which originates from other countries. I do, however, think that people (starting with schools) should be educated about how misleading social media can be - and, in some cases, downright dangerous. Everybody should always question any information they're given from any source.

maddyone

I have never had Twitter/X and I never will. Some people using it are evil.

People can use it without getting sucked in. I feel that ignoring what people think is sticking one's head in the sand. X (like all media sources) is one way to avoid living in a bubble.

And I certainly don’t mean any of our Gransnetters by that.

I have never had Twitter/X and I never will. Some people using it are evil.

A country that shuts down social media is not a country I would want to live in either.

Have we the power to block X and similar? People do get banned from these platforms.

Many of the really dark discussions are on foreign social media and the dark web . There are too many .

tickingbird

Is it not possible to shut down some SM for a week to allow things to calm down?

That would be brilliant tickingbird but possible?

When mosques are being attacked, that seems to be what these rioters are trying to promote - division and hatred.

I just find it so bizarre when it's said "our culture needs protecting"

" so turn out and riot".

Is it not possible to shut down some SM for a week to allow things to calm down?

I just hope this doesn’t result in different communities fighting each other on our streets as it would be horrendous.

I’ve just switched on the news and a police station is on fire. I don’t agree with this and I don’t believe anyone on here supports this mayhem. I don’t know whether this is really far right or just copy cat thuggery.

Either way it’s appalling.

Callistemon213

Casdon

It’s their poor wives and families in many cases though rather than their parents - these are by no means all young lads. Watch the video of the car being set alight.

There are small children there, according to the BBC

I player:

"A fire has been set next to a police building as protesters clashed with police in Sunderland during a demonstration linked to the Southport knife attack.

It follows beer cans and stones being thrown at police in riot gear outside a mosque in the city, and other clashes between rioters and the force.

Mounted officers pushed back demonstrators, some of whom were in masks, from the mosque on St Mark's Road.

Northumbria Police said its officers had been "subjected to serious violence" and advised members of the public to avoid the area.

Police also had beer barrels thrown at them, as young men chanted "whose streets, our streets".

Members of the crowd chanted in support of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, while others shouted racist slurs

Cars in the city centre have also been targeted by the group, with one overturned car being set on fire."

How is this "protecting our culture"?
Its spreading hate and division.