Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
Rupert Murdoch’s own readers turn on the Times after it uses the KKK to stain Jeremy Corbyn
Rupert Murdoch’s own readers have apparently turned on the Times after the paper invoked the Ku Klux Klan to stain Jeremy Corbyn. The newspaper published an article claiming [paywall]:
A white supremacist and former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan praised the election of Jeremy Corbyn to the Labour leadership
“RIP UK journalism”
Speaking about the election of Corbyn back in 2015, former KKK leader David Duke said:
It’s a really good kind of evolutionary thing, isn’t it, when people are beginning to recognise Zionist power and ultimately the Jewish establishment power in Britain and in the western world.
The Times [paywall] alleges that the quote amounts to an “endorsement” of Corbyn. But Labour supporters have pointed out that Duke has actually done the opposite. In June 2017, Duke called Corbyn an “anti-white Marxist” and an “enemy of the white working class”:
•On the left. Today's times claiming a former KKK wizard is a Corbynite.
•On the right. The same former KKK wizard hating on Corbyn.
•RIP UK journalism. pic.twitter.com/jbmodpg9jDRead on...
Support us and go ad-free— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) August 3, 2018
In January 2017, Duke also referred to Corbyn as “Marxist filth”.
Times readers turn on the paper
While some Times readers bought the smear, the majority turned [paywall] against the paper:
On social media, others pointed out that, in trying to attack Corbyn, the Times is the one platforming a rampant antisemite:
why are you giving a platform to the views of a far-right, racist, neo-Nazi? this is incredibly irresponsible. the far-right represent a real and present danger to Jewish people and other minorities. this is giving their violent hatred front page coverage and attention. why?
— Michael Segalov (@MikeSegalov) August 2, 2018
And some simply marvelled at the range of anti-Corbyn mudslinging in the press:
A Czech spy, a terrorist in Northern Ireland, a terrorist in the Middle East, an antisemite, a Russian spy and according to the Times he's now in with the Klan! How the hell Corbyn has found time to be an MP, grow vegetables & make jam I'll never know…#WeAreCorbyn
— Damo #GTTO (@Cornish_Damo) August 3, 2018
While the Times scrapes the barrel bare to smear Corbyn, the paper is apparently giving mainstream Conservative politicians a free pass. In late July, leading Conservatives Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg reportedly met with Steve Bannon. Bannon, Donald Trump’s former political strategist, recently told a far-right French crowd:
Let them call you racist… wear it as a badge of honour.
The Times has further dragged its name through the dirt with this attack on Corbyn. And it looks like even its own conservative readership is turning against the paper. The desperation is palpable. And it’s veering beyond the absurd.
Get Involved!
– Join The Canary, so we can keep holding the powerful to account.
– Read and support other independent media outlets:
Media Diversified, Novara Media, Corporate Watch, Red Pepper, New Internationalist, Common Space, Media Lens, Bella Caledonia, Vox Political, Evolve Politics, Real Media, Reel News, STRIKE! magazine, The Bristol Cable, The Meteor, The Skwawkbox, Salford Star, The Ferret.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab and Parliament/ WikiCommons
We need your help to keep speaking the truth
Every story that you have come to us with; each injustice you have asked us to investigate; every campaign we have fought; each of your unheard voices we amplified; we do this for you. We are making a difference on your behalf.
Our fight is your fight. You’ve supported our collective struggle every time you gave us a like; and every time you shared our work across social media. Now we need you to support us with a monthly donation.
We have published nearly 2,000 articles and over 50 films in 2021. And we want to do this and more in 2022 but we don’t have enough money to go on at this pace. So, if you value our work and want us to continue then please join us and be part of The Canary family.
In return, you get:
* Advert free reading experience
* Quarterly group video call with the Editor-in-Chief
* Behind the scenes monthly e-newsletter
* 20% discount in our shop
Almost all of our spending goes to the people who make The Canary’s content. So your contribution directly supports our writers and enables us to continue to do what we do: speaking truth, powered by you. We have weathered many attempts to shut us down and silence our vital opposition to an increasingly fascist government and right-wing mainstream media.
With your help we can continue:
* Holding political and state power to account
* Advocating for the people the system marginalises
* Being a media outlet that upholds the highest standards
* Campaigning on the issues others won’t
* Putting your lives central to everything we do
We are a drop of truth in an ocean of deceit. But we can’t do this without your support. So please, can you help us continue the fight?
Support us 
