Not that it isn't crap. It is. It's just also going to be a massively distorted influence in our already massively distorted news & information system.
The BBC & our strict Ofcom rules have been a bulwark against worst excesses of online mis- & disinfo. But for how much longer? The hounding of Newsnight's Nick Watt this week was a horrifying example of where this leads. And GB News has thrown a powerful new grenade into the mix.
I rang up @martinjemoore on Friday who's one of the smartest interpreters of all things media & he thinks it's inevitably going to impact BBC. Arguably, the whole channel is a troll on the BBC, a knowing provocation. UK news & info system just lurched a little bit further right
This has a personal element for me. How could it not? I deal with the aftermath of Neil's abuse of me every day. But it's also why I have an early warning system encoded into my cells. I wish I could laugh at GB News but I don't. I dread it.
I have strict policy of ignoring GB News's political correspondent. I make an exception only to point out that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This is who got to ask 2nd question at the PM's news presser on Monday. GB News already key part of govt's spin operation
This is why I'm writing this newsletter with @allthecitizens. It's part of our Keeping The Receipts project. The plan to destroy the Electoral Commission announced this week is exactly why we're doing what we're doing. Subscribing will help us keep track & hold to account.
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NEW: I’ve found an opaque financial vehicle owns a large chunk of the Observer. And neither it or the Guardian will say who it is. Why?
Well there is a clue. Which goes by way of Saudi Arabia… 1/
The capture of US media orgs is accelerating. And the UK is next in line. The BBC has fallen to an AI hype guy. And my old newspaper, the Observer, is publishing Palantir puff pieces.
Distracted by the slaughter of children in Iran & Lebanon? Me too! But what better time could there be for govt to quietly relaunch its Digital ID plan?
Missed it? Me too! But look who’s celebrating…
The director of ‘govt innovation’ at the Tony Blair Institute! 1/
The govt noisily scrapped Digital ID after huge pushback when nobody bought its ‘it’ll solve immigration’ bollocks. But as markets tanked last week - kudos to the comms team! - it was discreetly re-launched with all-new messaging: a ‘common sense solution to everyday probs’
2/
Darren Jones, Cabinet Office secretary, put out a press release claiming the govt will be holding a ‘consultation’.
NOT: ‘Do you want the govt & unknown tech companies to have all your data?’
BUT: (I kid you not): ‘At what age should you be able to get a digital id?’ 🤔 3/
Congrats to all the news orgs that signed syndication deals with this company. You’ve licensed your journalism to be a core component of Trump’s illegal war machine. Great job everyone 👏
A special shoutout to the editor-in-chief & CEO of the Guardian, Kath Viner & Anna Bateson. The deal with OpenAI was an unforced error which legitimised OpenAI’s illegal scraping of Guardian data & IP. In exchange for a quick buck. The NYTimes, in contrast, chose to sue.
Anthropic stood up to Trump. But OpenAI has capitulated. And now all its ‘partners’ are complicit in the consequences.
That includes Guardian. It will financially benefit from its journalists’ work - inc mine - being used to support Trump’s illegal wars & ICE’s reign of terror.
PREDICTION: If Andrew is charged (no assumption of guilt etc), we are going to have a crisis of both the press & judiciary.
In Britain, it is an offence to publish ANY info on defendant beyond bare facts.
But! US outlets can print whatever they like…
1/
Contempt of court is foundational principle of British justice: press must not prejudice a jury trial.
Editors risk a prison sentence if found in breach.
Even in digital age, the law held…but how could it possibly withstand deluge of US coverage in a case like this??
3/
Short answer: it won’t. Far right agitator Tommy Robinson weaponised UK laws on contempt as a ‘cover up’ over grooming scandal. And the New Yorker ignored & published on Lucy Letby.
If Andrew is charged, it’ll trigger a crisis for both the press & judiciary
4/