On account of Good Friday there are no news reports for today
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Friday, 10 April 2009
Thursday 9th April
Manchester Evening News (City Edition)
Article 1
Headline: Terror swoop after blunder by police chief
Section: Front Page
Written by: Yakub Qureshi & John Scheerhout
Page: Front Page
Article Verdict: Neutral
Article 2
Headline: Terror swoop after top cop's blunder
Section: News
Written by: Yakub Qureshi & John Scheerhout
Page: 2
Article Verdict: Neutral
Article 3
Headline: Police plea for calm as Smith backs raids
Section: News
Written by: Yakub Qureshi
Page: 2
Outline: This story is related to the raids mentioned in articles 1 & 2. It reports on statements made by Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter who has stated that the Police force will be working to reassure residents of the local area following the raids.
The article alsoi carries a comment from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith who commends the Police and the manner in which they carried out the raid. It also carries a statement by her which warns that "...we face a severe terrorist threat in this country..." such statements are no doubt likely to make readers uncomfortable and fearful. With that in mind perhaps it would have been worth to get the reaction of local community leaders to the comments by the Home Secretary and Det Chief Superintendent, this would have helped to report a more rounded and complete reflection of events that unfolded in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester.
However based on the content of the article it is factual with no emotional or sensationalist narrative hence is awarded a 'neutral' rating.
Article Verdict: Neutral
Article 4
Headline: Apprentice bosses just didn't fancy me
Section: News
Written by: ?
Page: 12
Outline: This article is about Majid Nagra, the latest contestant to be 'fired' from the popular tv show The Apprentice.
The article features a reflection by Mr Nagra as to why he felt he was fired from the latest episode. It mentions his age and where he was born but does not refer to his religious background. The article also mentions that Mr Nagra is setting up a business, "...a dating website for British Asians..."
All in all, it's factual article and deserves a 'neutral' rating
Article Verdict: Neutral
Metro
Article 1
Headline: Hamza sons in £1m car theft con
Section: Front Page Brief
Written by: ?
Page: Front Page
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 2
Headline: 12 arrests following terror op blunder
Section: News
Written by: Aidan Radnedge
Page: 5
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 3
Headline: Hamza sons facing jail - Preacher's boys used £1m car ringing scam 'to pay for their party lifestyle'
Section: News
Written by: Aidan Radnedge
Page: 7
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 4
Headline: 12 Palestinians hurt in riots
Section: World Digest
Written by: ?
Page: 28
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 1
Headline: Terror swoop after blunder by police chief
Section: Front Page
Written by: Yakub Qureshi & John Scheerhout
Page: Front Page
Outline: This article accompanied by a photo showing a Police raid on a house in Manchester is about the 'anti-terror' raids that were triggered after Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick's secret documents were photographed as he arrived for a briefing at 10 Downing Street.
The article is a prelude to a much more detailed story which is printed on page 2 and as such there are few words on the front page other than to tell readers key facts which are limited to a factual narrative of events.
The article is a prelude to a much more detailed story which is printed on page 2 and as such there are few words on the front page other than to tell readers key facts which are limited to a factual narrative of events.
Article Verdict: Neutral
Article 2
Headline: Terror swoop after top cop's blunder
Section: News
Written by: Yakub Qureshi & John Scheerhout
Page: 2
Outline: This story continues on from the front page story. It lists the number of people arrested and details the locations of where the arrests took place.
This story also includes testimonials from local people in the area, one of these (Mr Mesu Raza) is described in the article as "an unemployed man from Pakistan who lives in the flat above the cafe..."
There are further statements from local people who are named in the article as Ms Fouzia Ali, who is described as a "neighbour..." and also Bushra Majid who is described as "...33, a housewife..."
The article states that 2 of the arrested men are "...of Afghan origin..." The article finished by mentioning the age range of the detained suspects.
There is no mention of the religious background of any of the detained suspects nor of any of the residents who gave testimonials to the M.E.N.
Apart from referring to Mr Mesu Raza as "an unemployed man from Pakistan" other descriptions of people were done in a responsible manner. Ther really wasn't any need to highlight Mr Raza's ethnicity and employment status. This would only serve to create a negative image of Mr Raza amongst readers who may come to regard him as an 'unemployed foreigner living in Britain'.
Other than this small blip the article is written objectively and without any sensationalist rhetoric hence a 'neutral' verdict is awarded.
This story also includes testimonials from local people in the area, one of these (Mr Mesu Raza) is described in the article as "an unemployed man from Pakistan who lives in the flat above the cafe..."
There are further statements from local people who are named in the article as Ms Fouzia Ali, who is described as a "neighbour..." and also Bushra Majid who is described as "...33, a housewife..."
The article states that 2 of the arrested men are "...of Afghan origin..." The article finished by mentioning the age range of the detained suspects.
There is no mention of the religious background of any of the detained suspects nor of any of the residents who gave testimonials to the M.E.N.
Apart from referring to Mr Mesu Raza as "an unemployed man from Pakistan" other descriptions of people were done in a responsible manner. Ther really wasn't any need to highlight Mr Raza's ethnicity and employment status. This would only serve to create a negative image of Mr Raza amongst readers who may come to regard him as an 'unemployed foreigner living in Britain'.
Other than this small blip the article is written objectively and without any sensationalist rhetoric hence a 'neutral' verdict is awarded.
Article Verdict: Neutral
Article 3
Headline: Police plea for calm as Smith backs raids
Section: News
Written by: Yakub Qureshi
Page: 2
Outline: This story is related to the raids mentioned in articles 1 & 2. It reports on statements made by Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter who has stated that the Police force will be working to reassure residents of the local area following the raids.
The article alsoi carries a comment from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith who commends the Police and the manner in which they carried out the raid. It also carries a statement by her which warns that "...we face a severe terrorist threat in this country..." such statements are no doubt likely to make readers uncomfortable and fearful. With that in mind perhaps it would have been worth to get the reaction of local community leaders to the comments by the Home Secretary and Det Chief Superintendent, this would have helped to report a more rounded and complete reflection of events that unfolded in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester.
However based on the content of the article it is factual with no emotional or sensationalist narrative hence is awarded a 'neutral' rating.
Article Verdict: Neutral
Article 4
Headline: Apprentice bosses just didn't fancy me
Section: News
Written by: ?
Page: 12
Outline: This article is about Majid Nagra, the latest contestant to be 'fired' from the popular tv show The Apprentice.
The article features a reflection by Mr Nagra as to why he felt he was fired from the latest episode. It mentions his age and where he was born but does not refer to his religious background. The article also mentions that Mr Nagra is setting up a business, "...a dating website for British Asians..."
All in all, it's factual article and deserves a 'neutral' rating
Article Verdict: Neutral
Metro
Article 1
Headline: Hamza sons in £1m car theft con
Section: Front Page Brief
Written by: ?
Page: Front Page
Outline: This article is one of the preview briefs featured on the front page. The story is about car thefts involving the sons of Abu Hamza who is described as "hate preacher" although the religious background of Hamza or his sons isn't mentioned.
The rest of the article is continued on Page 7 of the paper. Given the high profile nature in which Abu Hamza has been featured in the press it's likely that readers will link him to Muslims and Islam however as this brief doesn't mention Muslim or Islam then on that basis it has to be given a 'neutral' rating.
The rest of the article is continued on Page 7 of the paper. Given the high profile nature in which Abu Hamza has been featured in the press it's likely that readers will link him to Muslims and Islam however as this brief doesn't mention Muslim or Islam then on that basis it has to be given a 'neutral' rating.
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 2
Headline: 12 arrests following terror op blunder
Section: News
Written by: Aidan Radnedge
Page: 5
Outline: This article is about the 'anti-terror' raids in Manchester. It lists the locations of the arrests and how many people were detained.
The paper incorrectly reports that the raids were on "...British Asians with links to Pakistan..." This is clearly inaccurate reporting as those arrested were not British Asians. This most probably reflects a rushed article which had to hit the deadline in order to be printed thus proper checks were not carried out to see whether the information being reported was true?
A large part of the article is dedicated to covering the blunder by Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick.
Newspapers have a repsonsibility to report the truth and display responsible journalism, inaccurate reporting, especially on sensitive matters like this, can have negative consequences in this case for British Asians as the wider people may inadvertantly point the finger of blame at them.
It's important that journalists put the integrity of the story at the top of the hierarchy before going to print. For failing to display this integrity Aidan Radnedge's article is given a 'negative' rating
The paper incorrectly reports that the raids were on "...British Asians with links to Pakistan..." This is clearly inaccurate reporting as those arrested were not British Asians. This most probably reflects a rushed article which had to hit the deadline in order to be printed thus proper checks were not carried out to see whether the information being reported was true?
A large part of the article is dedicated to covering the blunder by Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick.
Newspapers have a repsonsibility to report the truth and display responsible journalism, inaccurate reporting, especially on sensitive matters like this, can have negative consequences in this case for British Asians as the wider people may inadvertantly point the finger of blame at them.
It's important that journalists put the integrity of the story at the top of the hierarchy before going to print. For failing to display this integrity Aidan Radnedge's article is given a 'negative' rating
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 3
Headline: Hamza sons facing jail - Preacher's boys used £1m car ringing scam 'to pay for their party lifestyle'
Section: News
Written by: Aidan Radnedge
Page: 7
Outline: This article is a continuation of front page brief described in article 1 and is also written by Adrian Radnedge who wrote the inaccurate article above.
This article describes the scam alleged to have been carried out by the 3 sons of Abu Hamza. It describes how they carried out the scam and gives their names & ages.
It also features a photo of Abu Hamza's face where his prayer skull cap is visible. Although there is no mention of the word Muslim or Islam there is likely to be case of guilt by association i.e. readers are likely to know Hamza through the news as a Muslim preacher hence this story about his sons running a car scam will thus lead to a negative view of Islam amongst the readers.
Had the story not featured a photo of Hamza or made the link to him in the headline then I would have given this a 'neutral' rating. However as the Hamza link is the 'anchor' for this story then readers can't help but make a negative link to Islam and Muslims hence I'm giving Radnedge's 2nd article a 'negative' rating too.
This article describes the scam alleged to have been carried out by the 3 sons of Abu Hamza. It describes how they carried out the scam and gives their names & ages.
It also features a photo of Abu Hamza's face where his prayer skull cap is visible. Although there is no mention of the word Muslim or Islam there is likely to be case of guilt by association i.e. readers are likely to know Hamza through the news as a Muslim preacher hence this story about his sons running a car scam will thus lead to a negative view of Islam amongst the readers.
Had the story not featured a photo of Hamza or made the link to him in the headline then I would have given this a 'neutral' rating. However as the Hamza link is the 'anchor' for this story then readers can't help but make a negative link to Islam and Muslims hence I'm giving Radnedge's 2nd article a 'negative' rating too.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 4
Headline: 12 Palestinians hurt in riots
Section: World Digest
Written by: ?
Page: 28
Outline: This news brief reports on clashes between "Palestinians" and "Israeli army and Jewish settlers". It also remarkably describes the Palestinian village of Safa as an "Arab Settlement", this is highly inaccurate reporting as the word settlements is only used to refer to Israeli built Jewish settlements on the West Bank. They are referred to as such because they have been built on land which is considered occupied by the International community. This is a fact that is overlooked and not reported in the news brief hence not giving the full and accurate picture to the readers.
For inaccuarate and misleading reporting this article is given a 'negative' rating.
For inaccuarate and misleading reporting this article is given a 'negative' rating.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Wednesday 8th April
Manchester Evening News (City Edition)
Unfortunately no copy of today's city edition was available hence no report can be presented for the M.E.N
Metro
Article 1
Headline: Obama tells Iraqis: 'It's over to you'
Section: News
Written by: Ross McGuinness
Page: 13
Artice Verdict: Negative
Unfortunately no copy of today's city edition was available hence no report can be presented for the M.E.N
Metro
Article 1
Headline: Obama tells Iraqis: 'It's over to you'
Section: News
Written by: Ross McGuinness
Page: 13
Outline: This article is about US President Barack Obama's surprise visit to Iraq. It features the usual details which mention that he held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri-Al-Maliki and also visited US troops stationed there.
The most shocking aspect of this article however is when McGuinness states the number of US soldiers killed in Iraq, 4,266 since the 2003 occupation, but fails to even attempt to quantify the number of Iraqi civilians killed since the US led occupation began.
Towards the end of the paragraph McGuinness writes "Many thousands of Iraqis have been killed since 2003..."
An American based charity estimated that at least a million Iraqis had been killed in Iraq since the US occupation. McGuinness effectively belittles Iraqi civillian deaths by simply stating "many thousands..." instead of something closer to the true figure.
For the sheer lack of factual reporting and failing to contextualise US deaths against Iraqi Civilian deaths, which possibly reflects McGuinness' journalistic inexperience, this article is given a 'negative' rating.
The most shocking aspect of this article however is when McGuinness states the number of US soldiers killed in Iraq, 4,266 since the 2003 occupation, but fails to even attempt to quantify the number of Iraqi civilians killed since the US led occupation began.
Towards the end of the paragraph McGuinness writes "Many thousands of Iraqis have been killed since 2003..."
An American based charity estimated that at least a million Iraqis had been killed in Iraq since the US occupation. McGuinness effectively belittles Iraqi civillian deaths by simply stating "many thousands..." instead of something closer to the true figure.
For the sheer lack of factual reporting and failing to contextualise US deaths against Iraqi Civilian deaths, which possibly reflects McGuinness' journalistic inexperience, this article is given a 'negative' rating.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Tuesday 7th April
Manchester Evening News (City Edition)
Unfortunately no copy of today's city edition was available hence no report can be presented for the M.E.N
Metro
Article 1
Headline: US is not at war with Islam
Section: Front page brief
Written by: ?
Page: Front page
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 2
Headline: 34 die in Baghdad car bomb spree
Section: World Digest
Written by: ?
Page: 14
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 3
Headline: Obama: No war on Islam - US President reaches out to the Muslim World during his trip to Turkey
Section: News
Written by: Joel Taylor
Page: 15
Outline: Following on from the brief this article provides quotes from Obama's speech including one which presents the role os Islam in a positive light - "The Islamic faith has done so much over the centuries to shape the world for the better, including my own country".
Taylor then goes on to add his own narrative to explain Obama's remarks commenting that the speech was being delivered to a "Muslim world that felt America blamed it for the September 11 attacks".
The rest of the article examine Turkey's status vis-a-vis the Iraq war, Nato and application to join the EU.
Overall the artricle sits on the fence and reports the speech in a relatively factual manner, hence is given a neutral rating as it doesn't fill the readers minds with a negative view about Islam.
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 4
Headline: 'Terror' charity leader arrested
Section: News
Written by: ?
Page: 15
Outline: This article is about the arrest in Bangladesh of the head of a British based charitable organisation, Faisal Mustafa.
Weapons are alleged to have been found at the school set up by Mr Mustafa'a charity Green Crescent Organisation.
It mentions that Mr Mustafa set up an "Islamic School", the mention of this word is enough to give the readers a negative view of Islam as it ties into the commonly reported view in the media of Islamic seminaries, also referred to as 'Madrassahs', being linked to violence.
For that reason this article is given a negative rating.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Unfortunately no copy of today's city edition was available hence no report can be presented for the M.E.N
Metro
Article 1
Headline: US is not at war with Islam
Section: Front page brief
Written by: ?
Page: Front page
Outline: This news brief on the front page is in reference to the speech made by US President Barack Obama on his visit to Turkey. The brief is 7 lines long and leads into a fuller article on page 15. It reports the key highlights of Obama's speech, specifically that this is his 1st visit to a predominantly Muslim nation and that he's calling for closer ties. Judged purely on the content of the brief it's best described as Neutral. the longer article (article 3 below) is written by Joel Taylor but it's unclear whether Taylor has also written this front page brief.
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 2
Headline: 34 die in Baghdad car bomb spree
Section: World Digest
Written by: ?
Page: 14
Outline: This brief reports car bomb explosions in a district of Baghdad, Iraq. The rationale for the attacks that's presented in the brief suggests that the explosions could have been revenge attacks for a clampdown on "Sunni Arab Militants". These 3 words together portrays an extremely negative view of Sunni Muslims, who make up c.80% of all Muslim people in the World and also of Arab people.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 3
Headline: Obama: No war on Islam - US President reaches out to the Muslim World during his trip to Turkey
Section: News
Written by: Joel Taylor
Page: 15
Outline: Following on from the brief this article provides quotes from Obama's speech including one which presents the role os Islam in a positive light - "The Islamic faith has done so much over the centuries to shape the world for the better, including my own country".
Taylor then goes on to add his own narrative to explain Obama's remarks commenting that the speech was being delivered to a "Muslim world that felt America blamed it for the September 11 attacks".
The rest of the article examine Turkey's status vis-a-vis the Iraq war, Nato and application to join the EU.
Overall the artricle sits on the fence and reports the speech in a relatively factual manner, hence is given a neutral rating as it doesn't fill the readers minds with a negative view about Islam.
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 4
Headline: 'Terror' charity leader arrested
Section: News
Written by: ?
Page: 15
Outline: This article is about the arrest in Bangladesh of the head of a British based charitable organisation, Faisal Mustafa.
Weapons are alleged to have been found at the school set up by Mr Mustafa'a charity Green Crescent Organisation.
It mentions that Mr Mustafa set up an "Islamic School", the mention of this word is enough to give the readers a negative view of Islam as it ties into the commonly reported view in the media of Islamic seminaries, also referred to as 'Madrassahs', being linked to violence.
For that reason this article is given a negative rating.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Monday, 6 April 2009
Monday 6th April
Manchester Evening News (City Edition)
Article 1
Article Verdict: Neutral
Article 2
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Metro
Article 1
Headline: Mosque suicide bomber kills 22
Section: World Digest
Written by: ?
Page: 12
Outline: This news brief is printed on 12 lines and features less than 60 words. It's about a bomb blast at a Mosque in Pakistan on Sunday. The story is presented in a factual manner and other than mention of the word Mosque there is no other religious reference in the brief. In short, it's a factual piece about a tragic event.
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 1
Headline: Bouncers go on march after workmate's death
Section: News
Written by: Paul Britton
Page: 2
Outline: This article relates to the story published in the M.E.N on Tuesday 31st March (reference: article 2) about the murder of a doorman, Mohamed Kaleem Rafeek, in Rusholme.
This article features a photo and reports on a demonstration organised by doormen to show respect to Mohamed Kaleem Rafeek and protest about poor working conditions including threats to personal safety.
The article describes Mr Rafeek's life outside of work and mentions that he was studying at Trafford College training to be an electrician and also mentions the school he attended. It states that Mr Rafeek was Sri Lankan born and came to Britain when he was 12 and could speak 5 languages.
It presents Mr Rafeek in a positive light, unlike the report on Tuesday 31st March, this time Mr Rafeek's ethinicity is mentioned but in a neutral factual manner however his religious background is not mentioned.
This is a factual piece and reflects positively on Mr Rafeek's life, had it also mentioned that he was Muslim then this too could have been viewed positively by the readers especially considering the article's prominent position.
A rating of neutral is applicable in this instance.
Section: News
Written by: Paul Britton
Page: 2
Outline: This article relates to the story published in the M.E.N on Tuesday 31st March (reference: article 2) about the murder of a doorman, Mohamed Kaleem Rafeek, in Rusholme.
This article features a photo and reports on a demonstration organised by doormen to show respect to Mohamed Kaleem Rafeek and protest about poor working conditions including threats to personal safety.
The article describes Mr Rafeek's life outside of work and mentions that he was studying at Trafford College training to be an electrician and also mentions the school he attended. It states that Mr Rafeek was Sri Lankan born and came to Britain when he was 12 and could speak 5 languages.
It presents Mr Rafeek in a positive light, unlike the report on Tuesday 31st March, this time Mr Rafeek's ethinicity is mentioned but in a neutral factual manner however his religious background is not mentioned.
This is a factual piece and reflects positively on Mr Rafeek's life, had it also mentioned that he was Muslim then this too could have been viewed positively by the readers especially considering the article's prominent position.
A rating of neutral is applicable in this instance.
Article Verdict: Neutral
Article 2
Headline: Asian business achievers are honoured in awards
Section: Business
Written by: ?
Page: 23
Outline: This article is about an awards ceremony in Manchester to honour achievement by British Asians.
Although referrring to the winners by their ethnicity this is necessary for the article as the awards ceremony is specific to British Asians, despite the ethnic reference it is presented in a positive manner i. e. the people have gained success in their respective fields.
Several of the winners are mentioned including Amar Rashid of Manchester law firm Pannone, Ameena Patel of a bakery run by women in Blackburn called Meena Bakery and Adeeba Malik who is deputy Chief Executive of a Bradford based training agency, QED-UK.
All the people mentioned above appear to be Muslim however not a single one is introduced as Muslim. This really is a missed opportunity to present readers with an alternative and positive view of Muslims as successful business people especially when the list includes 2 women.
Although the content of the article is neutral I do feel that this is one opportunity where an effort should have been made to let the readers know that these people are successful British Muslims. After all the word Muslim is all too often used in negative contexts, this would have made a refreshing change hence it's a 'missed opportunity' for some positive PR
Section: Business
Written by: ?
Page: 23
Outline: This article is about an awards ceremony in Manchester to honour achievement by British Asians.
Although referrring to the winners by their ethnicity this is necessary for the article as the awards ceremony is specific to British Asians, despite the ethnic reference it is presented in a positive manner i. e. the people have gained success in their respective fields.
Several of the winners are mentioned including Amar Rashid of Manchester law firm Pannone, Ameena Patel of a bakery run by women in Blackburn called Meena Bakery and Adeeba Malik who is deputy Chief Executive of a Bradford based training agency, QED-UK.
All the people mentioned above appear to be Muslim however not a single one is introduced as Muslim. This really is a missed opportunity to present readers with an alternative and positive view of Muslims as successful business people especially when the list includes 2 women.
Although the content of the article is neutral I do feel that this is one opportunity where an effort should have been made to let the readers know that these people are successful British Muslims. After all the word Muslim is all too often used in negative contexts, this would have made a refreshing change hence it's a 'missed opportunity' for some positive PR
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Metro
Article 1
Headline: Mosque suicide bomber kills 22
Section: World Digest
Written by: ?
Page: 12
Outline: This news brief is printed on 12 lines and features less than 60 words. It's about a bomb blast at a Mosque in Pakistan on Sunday. The story is presented in a factual manner and other than mention of the word Mosque there is no other religious reference in the brief. In short, it's a factual piece about a tragic event.
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Friday, 3 April 2009
Thursday 2nd April
Manchester Evening News (City Edition)
Article 1
Headline: Protest puts foie gras off the menu
Section: News
Written by: Ria Nortcliffe
Page: 18
The use of the word campaigners is particularly interesting because someone who campaigns for change doesn't necessarilly smash windows and engage in acts of vandalism, whilst I am completely sympathetic and support the aims of genuine campaigners who want to have foie gras banned these individuals should have been referred to as "animal rights extremists" because of their use of violence.
The term campaigners softened their actions in the minds of readers as campaigners would refer to people who pursue non-violent means to achieve an outcome i.e. advertising to get increased sales or petitioning to lobby for change, not smashing windows.
For argument's sake imagine for a second that the perpetrators were Muslim who had smashed the windows of a porn shop that had opened in a family residential area and the shop had closed as a result. The headlines would probably come out with terms like 'extremists', 'shariah mob' or 'shopkeeper forced to close for fear of terror'....etc The list could go on.
I am recording this article to present a point of contrast should a story like this ever emerge involving Muslims. I'd be interested to see how the M.E.N reports it. For this article a 'not applicable' rating is awarded.
Article Verdict: Not Applicable
Metro
Nil Return
Article 1
Headline: Protest puts foie gras off the menu
Section: News
Written by: Ria Nortcliffe
Page: 18
Outline: This article is not related to Muslims but is featured because I felt it would be reported in a completely different way had Muslims been involved.
It refers to a restaurant in Cheshire that had its windows smashed by what the paper describes as "animal rights campaigners" who also daubed graffiti on the walls reading 'foie gras'. As a result of the attack the restaurant has now decided to stop serving foie gras.
It refers to a restaurant in Cheshire that had its windows smashed by what the paper describes as "animal rights campaigners" who also daubed graffiti on the walls reading 'foie gras'. As a result of the attack the restaurant has now decided to stop serving foie gras.
The use of the word campaigners is particularly interesting because someone who campaigns for change doesn't necessarilly smash windows and engage in acts of vandalism, whilst I am completely sympathetic and support the aims of genuine campaigners who want to have foie gras banned these individuals should have been referred to as "animal rights extremists" because of their use of violence.
The term campaigners softened their actions in the minds of readers as campaigners would refer to people who pursue non-violent means to achieve an outcome i.e. advertising to get increased sales or petitioning to lobby for change, not smashing windows.
For argument's sake imagine for a second that the perpetrators were Muslim who had smashed the windows of a porn shop that had opened in a family residential area and the shop had closed as a result. The headlines would probably come out with terms like 'extremists', 'shariah mob' or 'shopkeeper forced to close for fear of terror'....etc The list could go on.
I am recording this article to present a point of contrast should a story like this ever emerge involving Muslims. I'd be interested to see how the M.E.N reports it. For this article a 'not applicable' rating is awarded.
Article Verdict: Not Applicable
Metro
Nil Return
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