1/. In March, @Telegraph ran a piece warning that: “Those questioning the govt’s #coronavirus strategy are not only wrong, they’re a danger to the rest of us.”
Its intent seemed to be to shut down scrutiny of decisions made the govt.
But is part of a deeply disturbing trend.👇
Its intent seemed to be to shut down scrutiny of decisions made the govt.
But is part of a deeply disturbing trend.👇
2/. A week earlier, the same paper claimed we’re leading the fight against #coronavirus because “UK is empirically the most capable country in Europe at dealing with an epidemic.”
A week later, when the govt appeared to pivot away from #HerdImmunity, they questioned govt policy.
A week later, when the govt appeared to pivot away from #HerdImmunity, they questioned govt policy.
3/. For the last 9 days we’ve been subjected to undignified & somewhat insulting spectacle of our govt trying to convince us black is white
Then on Wednesday, an MP said something that should send a chill down the spine of everyone who values a free press
Then on Wednesday, an MP said something that should send a chill down the spine of everyone who values a free press
4/. The MP will claim he was just using everyday idioms. But language matters
When he talks about “throwing Cummings to the wolves” & fighting “the monster”, the “wolves” are the media. The “monster” is the media
And this “media mob” narrative is being pushed from the top down.
When he talks about “throwing Cummings to the wolves” & fighting “the monster”, the “wolves” are the media. The “monster” is the media
And this “media mob” narrative is being pushed from the top down.
5/. As well as the baying media mob the narrative has another strand: that #DominicCummings gave a “full & detailed account of what happened & we should all now move on.”
The only trouble is his account revealed that he had clearly broken lockdown rules!
The only trouble is his account revealed that he had clearly broken lockdown rules!
6/. The interview with the MP, @ABridgen, was on @BBCNewsnight done by @maitlis who’d begun the programme with a powerful & opinionated - but entirely factual - monologue.
The next day, the BBC issued an apology.
I imagine ministers will boycott her like they have @piersmorgan.
The next day, the BBC issued an apology.
I imagine ministers will boycott her like they have @piersmorgan.
7/. Ministers have refused to go on @GMB for 33 days
In February, journalists walked out of a PM’s press conference after their colleagues from 4 publications weren’t let in
Some publications - incldg Sunday Times on 26/4 - have been barred from asking questions at conferences.
In February, journalists walked out of a PM’s press conference after their colleagues from 4 publications weren’t let in
Some publications - incldg Sunday Times on 26/4 - have been barred from asking questions at conferences.
8/. It’s been 3 weeks since anyone from govt has appeared on @Channel4News, & their journalists haven’t been able to ask a question at the briefing for a week
@pritipatel bristled when @InigoGilmore asked if she was sorry as did @MattHancock when @alextomo asked about care homes
@pritipatel bristled when @InigoGilmore asked if she was sorry as did @MattHancock when @alextomo asked about care homes
