Journalists are crucifying Paul Mason for exposing a painful truth about our media [TWEETS]
Independent journalist Paul Mason, well known for his past work at the BBC and Channel 4 News, is being crucified by establishment journalists for exposing the role of our most-read newspapers in censorship and propaganda.
The tweet that rocked Fleet Street
It’s hard to remember a tweet that sent the commentariat into quite such a fit of the conniptions. Mason made a very simple point in a matter-of-fact fashion, and shortly thereafter all hell broke loose.
In newsrooms across London, well paid propagandists are scrambling to find stories to take #NHSCrisis off front page. Watch this space…
— Paul Mason (@paulmasonnews) January 7, 2017
Key figures from across the media and political worlds rallied into a sort of virtual pitchfork brigade to accuse Mason of being the most insidious tin foil hat-wearing conspiracy theorist that ever lived. But none were more defensive than those at Murdoch-owned Times.
Read on...
Times writer Philip Collins responded with this:
Grow up, Paul.
— Philip Collins (@PCollinsTimes) January 7, 2017
Times columnist and broadcaster David Aaronovitch then joined the fray, calling Mason “bonkers” and “Trumpian”:
Bonkers. https://t.co/PZDRzagvUO
— David Aaronovitch (@DAaronovitch) January 7, 2017
I honestly don't know why you go in for such Trumpian nonsense. It's both insulting and easily refuted. @frazernh
— David Aaronovitch (@DAaronovitch) January 7, 2017
Their colleague Janice Turner even argued that The Daily Mail was leading the charge on NHS coverage, seemingly forgetting the difference between censorship and propaganda. Luckily, another Twitter user was on hand to remind her:
Ha, it's always *dreadful* junior doctors / nurses though, never Tory funding or Hunt's lies.
— Sportinglesbian (@Sportinglesbian) January 7, 2017
Even former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith got in on the abuse:
Paul I've had my issues with newspaper journos but you know this is nonsense don't you. https://t.co/n2lqdZHhDl
— Jacqui Smith (@Jacqui_Smith1) January 7, 2017
There was just one problem. Come the next day, Mason was proven right.
Well done chaps, the proprietors will be proud, and your Downing Street drinks invite is assured… no #NHSCrisis in Fleet Street pic.twitter.com/Cnez5k3tsR
— Paul Mason (@paulmasonnews) January 7, 2017
The reaction? The pack just rolled on with the accusations as if nothing had happened.
The process of denunciation
The UK commentariat routinely denounces off-message outlets and writers, and heaps praise on those who stay on-message. This isn’t breaking news. It’s the way the establishment, the privileged, and their propaganda have worked throughout human history. The idea that these tactics vanished magically in the 21st century is so far beyond naive it’s laughable.
Our media commentariat are the gatekeepers of entry into their class. They frown on start-up media outlets and independent voices such as Mason because neither owe them a duty of patronage. The start-ups never required the acceptance and support of the commentariat gatekeepers, and are consequently unbeholden to them. They are truly independent. This is not the same as unbiased, or neutral. It simply means that they have formed their editorial views independently. They publish based on opinion and evidence, not coercion or politicking.
A vast imbalance in connections and cash allows the commentariat outlets of the mainstream media to remain dominant today. But they now have real competition. The rise of new media outlets, enabled by the internet and social media, means the commentariat has lost its stranglehold on information. These new outlets are able to disseminate that information to millions, to create enough waves that rock the yachts of the establishment. And that’s infuriating.
The only play left open to a furious commentariat is to denounce those messengers as conspiracy theorists, and purveyors of ‘fake news’. To attempt to pressurise social media and internet companies into censoring these new competitors. But like King Canute, the establishment is wrong to think it can hold back this tide.
Get Involved!
Play your part in the ongoing media revolution by reading and supporting new media organisations that do better.
Please add more that you like in the comments.
The Canary, Media Diversified, Novara Media, Corporate Watch, Common Space, Media Lens, Bella Caledonia, Vox Political, Evolve Politics, Real Media, Reel News, STRIKE! magazine, The Bristol Cable, Manchester Mule, Salford Star, The Ferret
Featured image via screengrab
We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support
The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.
The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.
So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.
