Tuesday 20 January 2009

The Echo Chamber

The mission of this blog from the outset has been to show people the lies told in The Sun in the hope of turning tabloid readers away from this newspaper.

Often we will hear people 'defend' that tabloid on the basis that no-one believes their nonsense.

We humbly beg to differ on this point, not least because there are plenty of news outlets willing to repeat their nonsense, and not all of their readers realise that The Sun is the sole source of what they are reading (if The Sun is listed as a source at all).

Fear is a cumulative thing, after all, and not always subject to logic.

Thanks to the hard work of editor Sim-O, we now have an excellent example of this echo chamber at work, and from today, Sun Lies editors and other contributors will be working through this list as part of a - *cough* - polite letter-writing campaign designed to (a) show people how the echo chamber works, and (b) provide us with a starting point so we can clean up some of the mess The Sun left behind when they selfishly backed away from the story instead of pointing out to other news outlets that they were wrong, and their 'expert' was a fraud...

... which neatly brings us to the list of things you'll want to keep in mind when browsing through this incomplete list of stories resulting from The Sun's 'scoop':

1. The Sun wilfully distorted the evidence presented by terror 'expert' Glen Jenvey in order to sex up what became a front page story.

2. Further, the evidence presented by terror 'expert' Glen Jenvey turned out to be falsified/planted *by* terror 'expert' Glen Jenvey.

3. After this was discovered, The Sun quietly removed their article from their website, but failed to issue a retraction.

4. Some initial comments and emails issued by editors of this blog and/or readers of Bloggerheads have resulted in some other articles being removed, but for the most part, the written record states that this happened (when it clearly didn't), and there is very little in the world of mainstream media that suggests otherwise.

5. Please note that some articles out there like this one involve a critical eye and independent reporting, *not* a simple repeat of the story. The Telegraph, unlike some newspapers, were also kind enough to publish our comment about major inaccuracies in the story. Please also note that examples like this are very, very thin on the ground.

6. A classic case of Chinese whispers for fans of the echo chamber; The Sun took the list of names offered (!) by Glen Jenvey in his guise as 'abuislam' (Sir Alan Sugar, Alan Howard, David Miliband) and decided it needed a bit of sexing up for the text generation, so they had a browse through this list of 100 names from a link posted to that discussion, and picked out Mark Ronson (at #62), mainly because of his connection to Amy Winehouse. The opening paragraph from the since-removed article declared that "TV’s The Apprentice boss Sir Alan Sugar and Amy Winehouse record producer Mark Ronson are among prominent names discussed on a fanatics’ website" and this was quickly interpreted (and then repeated) as Amy Winehouse being a 'target', and not merely the most famous client of a 'target'. The Sun did nothing to correct this, before or after their entire story was proved false.

7. There are also clear cases such as this, where it has gone to being a story reported as being from The Sun in NME to NME being presented as if it were a source.

"No-one believes The Sun"...? Bollocks to that.

OK, there's your background. Here are close to fifty examples from the echo chamber, starting with The Sun's front page 'scoop' that kicked things off. Articles like those listed below appeared around the world in multiple languages, not only online, but in print, and in news bulletins on radio and television. What we present here is just the tip of the iceberg:

[This list will be updated and labels attached to removed/corrected articles as our clean-up efforts progress.]


QUIETLY WITHDRAWN WITHOUT A RETRACTION:
Hate hit list
The Sun, UK - 6 Jan 2009
By JOHN COLES FEARS grew last night that hate-filled Islamic extremists are drawing up a "hit list" of Britain's leading Jews — bringing the Middle East ...

QUIETLY WITHDRAWN WITHOUT A RETRACTION:
David Miliband and Sir Alan Sugar 'targeted' in anti-semitic hit ...
Daily Mail, UK - 6 Jan 2009
By Tamara Cohen Islamic fundamentalists have drawn up an online list of Jewish 'targets' including David Milliband and Sir Alan Sugar. ...

QUIETLY WITHDRAWN WITHOUT A RETRACTION:
Sir Alan 'target for extremists'
guardian.co.uk, UK - 6 Jan 2009
Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar has been said to be among a list of top British Jews thought to be targeted by extremists over Israel's Gaza onslaught. ...

WITHDRAWN FOLLOWING OUR EMAIL ALERT CAMPAIGN:
Sugar 'target for extremists'
TeleText, UK - 6 Jan 2009
Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar is said to be among a list of top British Jews thought to be targeted by extremists over Israel's Gaza onslaught. ...

QUIETLY WITHDRAWN WITHOUT A RETRACTION:
Winehouse named on Islamic terror list
Digital Spy, UK - 7 Jan 2009
By David Balls The singer was added to a list of 'top Jews to target' on the fundamentalist forum following recent troubles in the Middle East. ...

QUIETLY WITHDRAWN WITHOUT A RETRACTION:
Amy Winehouse 'Named On Islamic Extremist Terror List'
Gigwise, UK - 7 Jan 2009
by Jason Gregory Amy Winehouse has been named as a "terror target" on a hit list compiled by Islamic extremists, according to reports. ...

CORRECTION PUBLISHED UNDER/VIA COMMENTS:
Do we need to protect Alan Sugar?
guardian.co.uk, UK - 7 Jan 2009
At last, to the delight of the many people who stop by to complain that the majority of posts on this blog confusingly and irritatingly concern showbusiness ...

Report: Islamist site compiling list of UK Jews to target over Gaza op
Ha'aretz, Israel - 7 Jan 2009
By Haaretz Service An Islamic extremist Web site is believed to be drawing up a list of prominent British Jews to target over Israel's offensive against ...

Sugar could be Hamas target
Herald.ie, Ireland - 7 Jan 2009
Apprentice star Alan Sugar was said today to be among a list of top British Jews thought to be targeted by extremists over Israel's Gaza onslaught. ...

Kill 'em. Kill 'em all
Irish Independent, Ireland - 7 Jan 2009
As the current unpleasantness in the Middle East continues -- you may have seen something about it on the news -- it seems that the problems in the region ...

CORRECTION PUBLISHED FOLLOWING OUR EMAIL ALERT CAMPAIGN:
Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson 'targeted by Islamic extremists'
NME.com, UK - 7 Jan 2009
Reports have emerged today (January 7) claiming that Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson have been included on a "terror target" hit list made in reaction to the ...

CORRECTION PUBLISHED UNDER/VIA COMMENTS:
Amy Winehouse allegedly targeted by Islamic extremists
Prefixmag, NY - 7 Jan 2009
It's rare for Amy Winehouse to be out of the headlines, but this time she may have become the unwitting target of an alarming hate campaign. ...

CORRECTION PUBLISHED UNDER/VIA COMMENTS:
Shields MP on terror hit list
Shields Gazette, UK - 7 Jan 2009
By Paul Myles-Kelly SOUTH Shields MP David Miliband is said to be among leading British figures targeted on an extremist Islamic "hit list". ...

CORRECTION PUBLISHED UNDER/VIA COMMENTS:
British Jews Under Threat of Revenge Attacks
ShortNews.com, Germany - 7 Jan 2009
Well known British Jews have been warned about revenge attacks carried out by Islamic extremists. Authorities fear a hit list of celebrities and politicians ...

Extremists have drawn up Brit Jew hit list
Sify, India - 7 Jan 2009
London: Hate-filled Islamic extremists are reported to be drawing up a "hit list" of Britain's leading Jews. The Sun reports British anti-terror expert Glen ...


WITHDRAWN FOLLOWING OUR EMAIL ALERT CAMPAIGN:
List of leading British Jews is posted on extremist website
This is London, UK - 7 Jan 2009
APPRENTICE star Sir Alan Sugar and pop producer Mark Ronson are among a list of leading British Jews thought to be targeted by extremists over Israel's ...

Amy auf Todesliste islamischer Extremisten
Blick Online - 8. Jan. 2009
Islamische Extremisten haben es auf die britische Sängerin Amy Winehouse abgesehen. Auf der Todesliste, die auf Hass-Internetseite «Ummah» auftauchte, ...

Amy Winehouse, blanco de terroristas
esmas, Mexico - 8 Jan 2009
Aunque no le han dado importancia, Glen Jenvey, experto en antiterrorismo de origen británico, asegura que los comentarios publicados deben ser tomados en ...

WITHDRAWN FOLLOWING OUR EMAIL ALERT CAMPAIGN:
Prominent UK Jews named on website
First Post, UK - 8 Jan 2009
Businessman Sir Alan Sugar and record producer Mark Ronson (right) feature on a list of high-profile British Jews who could be targeted after their names ...

UK Celebrity Terror Watch
Heeb Magazine - 8 Jan 2009
Reports emerged yesterday alleging Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson have been added to a "terror target" hit list made in reaction to the current conflict in ...

MIRROR OF NME ARTICLE (ABOVE):
Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson 'targeted by Islamic extremists'
Launch Yahoo - 8 Jan 2009
Reports have emerged today (January 7) claiming that Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson have been included on a "terror target" hit list made in reaction to the ...

ARTICLE WITHDRAWN (MARKED AS 'EXPIRED'):
UK authorities believe these prominent British Jews are on terror ...
Electric New Paper, Singapore - 8 Jan 2009
Anti-terrorism expert Glen Jenvey told The Sun he feared the forum was being used to prepare a backlash against Jews. He said: 'The Ummah website has been ...

Rampant Muslim Jew-Hatred
EuropeNews, Denmark - 8 Jan 2009
Mr Jenvey, 43, [British anti-terror expert Glen Jenvey] said: "The Ummah website has been used by extremists. Those listed should treat it very seriously. ...

Winehouse Appears on Terrorist Hit List
Popeater, NY - 8 Jan 2009
(Jan. 8) -- Amy Winehouse and British music producer Mark Ronson are among the celebrities including on a "terror target" list made in response to the ...

Terroryści chcą zabić Amy Winehouse!
Pudelek, Poland - 8 Jan 2009
Takie listy należy traktować bardzo poważnie – powiedział mediom Glen Jenvey. Fanatycy są gotowi atakować gwiazdy, które uważają za symbol zepsutego ...

Amy Winehouse na lista dos extremistas islâmicos
SRZD, Brazil - 8 Jan 2009
O britânico Glen Jenvey, especialista em táticas antiterroristas disse ao jornal que a tal lista deve ser levada a sério. "O website da Ummah está sendo ...

QUIETLY WITHDRAWN WITHOUT A RETRACTION:
Islam-Terroristen wollen Amy ermorden
Berliner Kurier - 9. Jan. 2009
London - Gerade planschte sie noch ausgelassen oben ohne in der Karibik und turtelte mit ehemaligen Rugby-Spielern am Strand, da hat sie schon wieder Ärger ...

Amy Winehouse na seznamu terčů islámských teroristů
Blesk.cz, Czech Republic - 9 Jan 2009
Očekávejte nenávistnou kampaň a zastrašování tak od dvaceti či třiceti zločinců," uvedl britský expert na terorismus Glen Jenvey pro list The Sun. ...

Amy Winehouse Marked for Death!
Celebuzz, CA - 9 Jan 2009
Any person who's been reading the tabloid news over the past year would assume that Amy Winehouse will do herself in before anyone else can get the chance. ...

Amy Winehouse estaria na mira de terroristas
Ego, Brazil - 9 Jan 2009
De acordo com o site "Perez Hilton", Glen Jenvey, uma especialista britânica anti-terrorismo, extremistas islâmicos teriam elaborado uma lista de alguns dos ...

Amy Winehouse, pe lista ţintelor unor posibile atacuri teroriste
Mediafax, Romania - 9 Jan 2009
Glen Jenvey, un expert britanic în politicile antiteroriste, consideră că această ameninţare trebuie să fie luată în serios. El a declarat pentru cotidianul ...

Amy Winehouse na seznamu terčů islámských teroristů
Blesk.cz, Czech Republic - 9 Jan 2009
Očekávejte nenávistnou kampaň a zastrašování tak od dvaceti či třiceti zločinců," uvedl britský expert na terorismus Glen Jenvey pro list The Sun. ...

Amy Winehouse op dodenlijst Islamitische groepering!
Primeurjagers.nl - 9 jan 2009
Het wordt uitkijken voor Amy Winehouse. Haar leven wordt nu eens niet bedreigd door drugs door ... extremistsiche islamieten. ...

Todesliste: Winehouse im Visier von Terroristen
oe24.at - 9. Jan. 2009
Islamische Extremisten erklären jüdische Prominente wie Amy Winehouse und Mark Ronson zu Zielen von Terroranschlägen. Während Amy Winehouse auf der...

Amy Winehouse on Terrorist Hit List
OK! Magazine, NY - 9 Jan 2009
As the conflict in Gaza rages on, Islamic extremists are turning their hate to Western nations and their Jewish citizens, naming several prominent Brits on ...

Winehouse A Terrorist Target
PerezHilton.com, CA - 9 Jan 2009
According to a new report, there's a lot of talk that Islamic extremists have drawn up a "hit list" of some of Britain's leading Jews. ...

Terrorists Target Winehouse
Radar Online, NY - 9 Jan 2009
According to published reports, singer Amy Winehouse and British music producer Mark Ronson are among the celebrities marked for death on a 'terror target' ...

AMY WINEHOUSE OP DODENLIJST JIHAD Amy Winehouse op dodenlijst Jihad
ShowbizNewz.nl - 9 jan 2009
Niemand minder dan Amy Winehouse staat op de Islaamse Jihad dodenlijst. De zangeres is toegevoegd aan een dodenlijst speciaal gericht op joden, ...

WITHDRAWN FOLLOWING OUR EMAIL ALERT CAMPAIGN:
Amy Winehouse en danger de mort ?
SCOOP PEOPLE, France - 9 Jan 2009
Et d'après un spécialiste anglais du terrorisme, Glen Jenvey, "les personnes figurant dans cette liste doivent prendre cela très sérieusement"...

Amy Winehouse, cible pour les terroristes ?
Teemix - 9 jan 2009
Un site internet, apparemment souvent visité par des islamistes, a eu la "brillante" idée de publier une liste de personnalités d'origine juive qui feraient ...

Amy im Visier von Terroristen
Vienna Online - 9. Jan. 2009
Dies berichtete nun NME.com. Auf der Internetseite Ummah.com forderte ein Poster andere User auf, prominente Juden vorzuschlagen, die zum Ziel von ...

Amy Winehouse visée par des terroristes
Voici - 9 jan 2009
La chanteuse trash est à mille lieues de se douter de ce qu'il se passe de l'autre côté du globe. En vacances sous le soleil de Sainte-Lucie, dans les bras ...

Is Amy Winehouse Being Targeted By Terrorists?!?
X17 Online, California - 9 Jan 2009
Reports in the UK say that Amy Winehouse is a "terror target" for extremists who plan to attack high profile British's Jews. Also named in the threat was ...

Amy vizata de teroristi
Ziua, Romania - 9 Jan 2009
Glen Jenvey, un expert britanic in politicile antiteroriste, considera ca aceasta amenintare trebuie sa fie luata in serios. Acesta a declarat pentru ...

Suicide Bombers Target Suicidal Bummer
Jawa Report, TX - 10 Jan 2009
It has been frequently noted that Islamists are rather short on sophistication. Indeed, traits like humor, intelligence and irony appear to be completely ...

Troubled singer Amy Winehouse in terror hit list?
Spicezee, India - 10 Jan 2009
Los Angeles, Jan 10: The troubled pop singer Amy Winehouse, whose weird antics have always grabbed more eyeballs than her singing talent, is reportedly on ...

Η Amy Winehouse και ο Mark Ronson στόχοι τρομοκρατών!
Avopolis, Greece - 11 Jan 2009
... Λωρίδα της Γάζας. Σύμφωνα με τον ειδικό της βρετανικής αντιτρομοκρατικής υπηρεσίας, Glen Jenvey, οι αναφορές αυτές θα πρέπει να ληφθούν σοβαρά υπόψιν. ...


(Psst! You may also have noticed after browsing through that list that the name of terror 'expert' Glen Jenvey also echoed around the world. Would it be wrong to suspect that this is one of the reasons why he tells such awful lies?)

9 comments:

Daniel Hoffmann-Gill said...

Excellent bit of work Tim and an excellent reposte to the tired arguement I hear far too often when I discuss with people the responsibility of all our media outlets.

Tim said...

Thanks, Daniel. Sim-O did the hard work on the article list, though.

Daniel Hoffmann-Gill said...

Well big love to Sim-O also!

Sim-O said...

Aw, cut it out guys, you'll make me blush.

Alistair Coleman said...

Good work.

You'll find that the majority of those soures didn't actually get the story from the Sun, but from the PA, which quoted the Sun as its source.

The trouble with wire feeds is that the story's right round the world before you know it...

Tim said...

I expect as much... but you would think that the words 'The Sun' would be enough for most editors, in cases where it's not enough for the PA.

Tim said...

And, I should add, a retraction from The Sun would address the PA problem, as they would send out signals of their own as a result.

But, no. The Sun simply cannot admit that they were made fools of by their 'expert'.

Selfish sods. It takes a bloody court order to get a simple apology out of them most days.

Carl Eve said...

I recall the gorgeous line from Terry Pratchet in "The Truth" about a newspaperman in Ankh Morpork..
"A lie will run around the world before the truth has got its boots on..."

so, so true.

And I say that as a bloody journalist!

Sim-O said...

I remember that. :-)

That would make a great strap line for an undertaking like ours.