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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A new investigation by @thenerve_news has found Palantir has recruited more than 30 senior officials from UK govt, a strategy transparency experts say poses an ‘acute risk’ of corruption. 1/
Link ⬇️
Palantir recruited the two most senior AI strategists from the Ministry of Defence & NHS…& won multimillion £ contracts with both, a pattern repeated across the UK govt. 2/
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/