We argued earlier this week that it probably wasn’t ‘Twitter what won it’ for The Guardian v Carter-Ruck but it sure did publicise the issue and put in some glory blows for good measure.
Now today the identity of an abusive London Underground worker (or at least, he was this morning) is doing the rounds, along with video of him suggesting a customer should be slung under a train. Mayor Boris Johnson is now on the case and undoubtedly in this instance this is because of Twitter creating a critical mass of complaint that simply couldn’t be ignored and which informed the mainstream press.
Twitter is the 21st Century ‘angry mob’ - though one with a democratic and self-regulating sense of justice - and it’s also the reason Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir finds herself more hated today than even the Mail's columnists normally would be, following a piece about Boyzone singer Stephen Gately.
In an article described variously as spiteful and homophobic, Moir states:
The criticism of Moir is universal and widespread, the Daily Mail’s descent into fascist self-parody almost complete. The resultant Twitter outcry has driven complaints to the Mail’s comments page but of course it has also driven traffic in the process.
Now, SEO crusader Malcolm Coles (you’ve heard the name on these pages before) is looking to highlight that dilemma by flagging those brands advertising unwittingly on Moir’s article and helping the Mail profit from its bile.
Now today the identity of an abusive London Underground worker (or at least, he was this morning) is doing the rounds, along with video of him suggesting a customer should be slung under a train. Mayor Boris Johnson is now on the case and undoubtedly in this instance this is because of Twitter creating a critical mass of complaint that simply couldn’t be ignored and which informed the mainstream press.
In an article described variously as spiteful and homophobic, Moir states:
“…Gately's death… strikes another blow to the happy-ever-after myth of civil partnerships. Gay activists are always calling for tolerance and understanding about same-sex relationships, arguing that they are just the same as heterosexual marriages.This despite a coroner reporting Gately died of natural causes and a great many instances of heterosexual partnerships ending in tragedy, death and acrimony.
"…in many cases this may be true. Yet the recent death of Kevin McGee, the former husband of Little Britain star Matt Lucas, and now the dubious events of Gately's last night raise troubling questions about what happened… once again, under the carapace of glittering, hedonistic celebrity, the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see."
The criticism of Moir is universal and widespread, the Daily Mail’s descent into fascist self-parody almost complete. The resultant Twitter outcry has driven complaints to the Mail’s comments page but of course it has also driven traffic in the process.
Now, SEO crusader Malcolm Coles (you’ve heard the name on these pages before) is looking to highlight that dilemma by flagging those brands advertising unwittingly on Moir’s article and helping the Mail profit from its bile.
BT, Marks & Spencer, O2, Santander, Tesco and Visit Britain are among those brands displayed around the piece. It’s worth noting of course that they didn’t choose this specifically, or sponsor that content, or know of its tone in advance, but they can certainly retroactively request their ads don’t appear next to it.
I'd suggest they could also reconsider buying advertising with the Mail in the future – not least of all because Visit Britain advertising with what must surely be the UK’s most xenophobic newspaper seems a little odd anyway.
See also:
Is this the ultimate Daily Mail headline?
Daily Mail contrives reality TV spat
Another interesting article. I look forward to reading these blogs, they always intrigue and interest me. I am very glad to being a part of this site. Thanks for keeping us informed and God Bless!
Posted by: ginko | Oct 28, 2009 at 09:05