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The Spectator also has a 'house style' of being as provocative as possible. I often find that even when they're arguing for something I ostensibly agree with I

by dagw 4y ago

The Spectator also has a 'house style' of being as provocative as possible. I often find that even when they're arguing for something I ostensibly agree with I come away disagreeing with them because of how they have chosen to present their arguments. That being said, as much as dislike their style and sometimes their politics, they're a solid journalistic outlet and I would not accuse them of making up facts (even if they might not always present said fact in the most neutral light)

ZeroGravitas 4y ago
I'd accuse them of making up facts. It's not a "Elvis kidnapped by Aliens" style supermarket tabloid but famous liar, and journalist repeatedly sacked for lying, Boris Johnson was the editor. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-spectator-uk/ https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-spectator-uk/ > We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting, rather than High, due to misleading articles and a few failed fact checks regarding climate change. One random sample, which Boris admitted was a lie: > The Spectator - which he was editing at the time - printed an editorial saying the tragedy was “no excuse for Liverpool’s failure to acknowledge, even to this day, the part played in the disaster by drunken fans at the back of the crowd who mindlessly tried to fight their way into the ground that Saturday afternoon.” > Smearing Liverpudlians, the editorial added: “They see themselves whenever possible as victims, and resent their victim status; yet at the same time they wallow in it.” > An independent report and the 2016 inquests ruled there was nothing to suggest fans’ behaviour contributed to the disaster. > In 2012 Mr Johnson apologised again, admitting claims about football fans' behaviour were a “lie”.
bell-cot 4y ago
Partly agreed. I am not accusing them of making up facts, but of slanting things far beyond any reasonable "objective and factual information source" standard. (Note that I am so old and centrist that I still believe journalists should care about society being relatively cohesive and peaceful, with a good long-term future. The Spectator both obviously believing otherwise and being very closely tied to Britain's (currently ruling) Conservative Party...that strikes me as a pretty bad sign.)

by dagw 4y ago

ZeroGravitas 4y ago

I'd accuse them of making up facts. It's not a "Elvis kidnapped by Aliens" style supermarket tabloid but famous liar, and journalist repeatedly sacked for lying, Boris Johnson was the editor. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-spectator-uk/ https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-spectator-uk/ > We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting, rather than High, due to misleading articles and a few failed fact checks regarding climate change. One random sample, which Boris admitted was a lie: > The Spectator - which he was editing at the time - printed an editorial saying the tragedy was “no excuse for Liverpool’s failure to acknowledge, even to this day, the part played in the disaster by drunken fans at the back of the crowd who mindlessly tried to fight their way into the ground that Saturday afternoon.” > Smearing Liverpudlians, the editorial added: “They see themselves whenever possible as victims, and resent their victim status; yet at the same time they wallow in it.” > An independent report and the 2016 inquests ruled there was nothing to suggest fans’ behaviour contributed to the disaster. > In 2012 Mr Johnson apologised again, admitting claims about football fans' behaviour were a “lie”.

bell-cot 4y ago

Partly agreed. I am not accusing them of making up facts, but of slanting things far beyond any reasonable "objective and factual information source" standard. (Note that I am so old and centrist that I still believe journalists should care about society being relatively cohesive and peaceful, with a good long-term future. The Spectator both obviously believing otherwise and being very closely tied to Britain's (currently ruling) Conservative Party...that strikes me as a pretty bad sign.)