By Noam Chomsky, Yanis Varoufakis, Ken Loach, Brian Eno, Des Freedman, Justin Schlosberg and 21 others write about a recent report by the Media Reform Coalition.
October 01, 2018 "Information Clearing House" - We have long had serious concerns about the lack of due impartiality and accuracy in the reporting of allegations of antisemitism against Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party. The recent report by the Media Reform Coalition examining coverage of Labour’s revised code of conduct on antisemitism shows that we are right to be concerned.
The research examined over 250 articles and broadcast news segments and found over 90 examples of misleading or inaccurate reporting. In relation to the IHRA definition of antisemitism that was at the heart of the dispute, the research found evidence of “overwhelming source imbalance” in which critics of Labour’s code of conduct dominated coverage, with nearly 50% of Guardian reports, for example, failing to include any quotes from those defending the code or critiquing the IHRA definition. Moreover, key contextual facts about the IHRA definition – for example that it has only been formally adopted by eight countries (and only six of the IHRA member states) – were consistently excluded.
The researchers conclude these were not occasional lapses in judgment but “systematic reporting failures” that served to weaken the Labour leadership and to bolster its opponents within and outside of the party.
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It is of course entirely appropriate and necessary for our major news outlets to report on the horrors of antisemitism, but wrong to present it as an issue specific to the Labour party.
In covering the allegations that Labour is now “institutionally antisemitic”, there have been inaccuracies, clear distortions and revealing omissions across our most popular media platforms. We believe that significant parts of the UK media have failed their audiences by producing flawed reports that have contributed to an undeserved witch-hunt against the Labour leader and misdirected public attention away from antisemitism elsewhere, including on the far right, which is ascendant in much of Europe.
Prof Noam Chomsky
Brian Eno
Francesca Martinez
Yanis Varoufakis
Ken Loach
Raoul Martinez
Justin Schlosberg
Birkbeck, University of London
Prof Des Freedman
Goldsmiths, University of London
Prof Imogen Tyler
Lancaster University
Prof Aeron Davis
Goldsmiths, University of London
Prof Annabelle Sreberny
Soas, University of London
Prof Greg Philo
University of Glasgow
Prof Natalie Fenton
Goldsmiths, University of London
Prof David Miller
Bristol University
Prof David Hesmondhalgh
University of Leeds
Prof James Curran
Goldsmiths, University of London
Prof Julian Petley
Brunel University
Stephen Cushion Cardiff
University
Jason Hickel
Goldsmiths, University of London
Einar Thorsen
Bournemouth University
Mike Berry Cardiff
University
Tom Mills Aston
University
Jenny Manson Jewish
Voice for Labour
Leah Levane Jewish
Voice for Labour
Lindsey German Stop the
War Coalition
Mike Cushman Free
Speech on Israel
Glyn Secker Jewish
Voice for Labour
This article was originally published by "The Guardian" -
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==See Also==
The UK’s pro-Israel lobby in context: The pro-Israel lobby is not only important in the US, but is a transnational phenomenon, fostered by transnational organisations – many headquartered in Israel – and funded in large part by transnational corporate actors
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