Are the media deliberately sabotaging the Labour Party?

11/06/2009

I am writing a book called ‘The Charge of The Lie Brigade’ about dishonesty in politics and the media. In the course of my research I have noticed a technique used in British media - print and broadcast alike. It consists of the ceaseless repetition of a number of slogans, all of which create a negative - even nasty - image of certain public figures or groups.

 

The slogans include: ‘Prince of Darkness’, ‘control freaks’, ‘spin doctors’, ‘Gordon Brown bottled it’, ‘stealth taxes’, ‘Tony Blair’s/ Gordon Brown’s fingerprints are all over this’, ‘Tony Blair/Gordon Brown must come clean over this’, ‘Labour enforcer’, ‘the Dear Leader’, ‘Tony Blair’s henchmen’ etc. etc.

 

I have also noticed that this technique is used always and only against the Labour Party and its leaders, and never against members of any other political party - not even Sinn Fein/IRA. Nor is it ever used against nasties such as Osama Bin Laden or Robert Mugabe.

 

I can only conclude that the media’s sole aim in doing this is to belittle the Party and its leaders in the eyes of the electorate. Has anyone else spotted this pattern?

 

W Paul, West Midlands

 

 

Well, readers – do you agree?  You reply

 

 

Media sabotage

 

MT reader W. Paul (May 2009) suggests the Labour Party is badly treated by the media - but this is the penalty of being in office.

 

When the Tories were in power, everyone from Thatcher downwards received abuse from all corners - and mostly from the Labour supporting press. The current belittlement is self-inflicted, and in my view, well deserved considering their performance in the last year!

 

A. Williams, Newport

 

 

Yes, Mr Paul, the media do use catchphrases instead of careful statements - and some are illogical, ungrammatical or just plain stupid!  You may be angered by an attack on your political party, but I, too, feel anger when we hear politicians glibly excusing yet more intrusive legislation by saying it will “prevent crime and terrorism”.

 

I feel like replying that I will take my chance with the criminals and terrorists. It is the government from whom I desperately want protection!

 

DC Sage, Swansea

 

 

Media-bashing of politicians is not new. Nazi propaganda minister Goebbels was a master of the technique of labelling those he wished to destroy - and some of the British press have refined this technique.  For instance, a politician they favour is smiling and relaxed; one they don’t favour is scowling and tense.

 

Oh, and one thing, Mr Paul, regarding your book ‘The Charge of The Lie Brigade’, don’t expect favourable reviews from the media. In Private Jack Jones’ immortal words: “They don’t like it up ‘em, Captain Mannering!”

 

B Sweeney, Bromley

 

 

 

Thank goodness there is someone else who doesn’t fall for the vindictive odious journalism, being written in the media against the Prime Minister and his Government. Whatever is wrong in this country or the world, it’s Mr Brown’s fault...?

 

There seems to be competition as to who can print the most degrading stories and print the most demonic pictures of  Government MPs, in particular Mr Brown.  There hasn’t been such a well orchestrated propaganda machine in this country since the Second World War.

 

J Murphy,  Bournemouth