People aren’t fooled by the amount of airtime the mainstream media is giving Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage photobombed by protester in Sedgefield


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The mainstream media is no stranger to giving airtime to right wing views. But on 12 September, it surpassed itself.

In the wake of the news of Yellowhammer and Scottish courts finding Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament unlawful, both the BBC and ITV decided to host far-right politician Nigel Farage:

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People expressed their frustration over Farage’s media appearances on Twitter:

Some also pointed out the danger in giving someone like Farage, who has a track record of racism, a platform:

Going unchallenged

Robert Peston, in particular, was criticised for not challenging Farage’s views. However, plenty of people online did a better job of scrutinising his words:

It’s safe to say that people saw past Farage’s empty rhetoric:

Special appearance

Andrew Neil similarly received criticism for hosting Farage on the same night:

Farage contributed to the show from a Brexit party conference in the Northern town of Sedgefield. However, a special appearance improved his segment dramatically. A protester wearing a t-shirt that said “Keep the immigrants; deport the racists” appeared behind Farage on live TV:

The timing was perfect, too, as he appeared just when Farage claimed, “I don’t think Westminster even understands how people in constituencies like… Sedgefield feel about politics”:

Impact

Joking aside, it’s important to recognise the very harmful impact of giving Farage media exposure. Such publicity has been linked to a rise in his popularity, and therefore in people agreeing with his views:

Mainstream media outlets have shown time and again the right-wing bias in their reporting. However, the consequences of giving voices from the far right repeated exposure on mainstream media are grave. The media might be doing its best to ignore the concerns of working class and marginalised groups but people are showing they aren’t fooled by this manipulation.

Featured image via YouTube/liarpoliticians2

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