Misinformation is Everywhere
Most of what I hear from people is nonsense.
But it's not easily-dismissable nonsense - it actually seems like it's very carefully crafted so as to be close enough to the truth as to render it defensible, and yet crucially editorialised enough to make sure we get the wrong conclusion from it.
Take for instance the current political issues around child-grooming gangs, Sir Keir Starmer, and Jess Phillips.
The story I was told was comprised of this editorial line:
- A decision was historically taken not to prosecute child rapists...by Keir Starmer
- A national enquiry was refused...by Jess Phillips
- It's all a big cover up
It doesn't take long to find the "proof" that this is the case. Basically any right wing press outlet is touting a version of it. And the worst of it comes from Russia-backed "news" sources.
What's not acknoweldged - at least not in foaming-at-the-mouth headlines - is the nuance that actually makes clear that this is nonsense. Very carefully editorialised, close to the truth, nonsense.
The FT does a great job of avoiding the controversy and just reporting it straight here. Sadly this is behind a paywall. So the sober, accurate understanding of what went on has to be paid for. The rabble-rousing consistently-wide-of-the-mark version is free to all comers.
So the reality of the above editorial line is actually:
- "Starmer had been director of public prosecutions for nine months when the decision was taken [not to prosecute Rochdale related grooming allegations]. No evidence suggests he was made aware of the details of the case at the time."
- From the above-linked FT article, my emphasis
- “Keir left in 2013, the CPS having gone from being dire at doing sex-abuse cases to having the highest conviction rate in our history. That wouldn’t have been possible without the support, resources and the protection I was given by Keir, at a time when it would have been easier to give up.”
- Nazir Afzal, chief prosecutor for the north west, from the same FT article
- Jess Phillips refused a new national enquiry - because there was one in 2015 which cost £180m, the recommendations from which are still unimplemented. Who was in power in 2015, out of interest?
- Labour are supporting a local enquiry - as was conducted in Telford and Rotherham.
Like I said, close to the truth, but wide of the mark.
But where is this all coming from?
It's no secret that the press in the UK is heavily right-leaning. The right will decry the "liberal media" but there are only a handful of sources of liberal mainstream media, with every other mainstream source solidly on the right.
And as we find ourselves with the first Labour government in 14 years - with the Conservative party in active meltdown, challenged from Farage, Musk, et al - there's a frantic drive to discredit everything Labour says (or doesn't say), or does (or doesn't do).
I do wonder if there's something more pernicious beneath it all, but it feels like I'd be going down a rabbit hole that is going to need much more time and research so I'm leaving this alone for now.