On April 12th 2020 The JEP published a statement from Jersey's new Director of Communications Dirk Danino-Forsyth or "Dirk Dastardly" as he is becoming known. The article can be read HERE.
If it wasn't so dangerous it would be comical but this new guy (Dirk Dastardly), and others, will be looking to discredit "independent"/Citizen Journalists to strengthening the dwindling power of the local State Media. Readers will be aware that in the latest SOCIAL SURVEY only 37% of those surveyed had trust in the local State Media, it is losing its control, and it is losing it to New Media (formerly known as Social Media). This isn't only on a local scale but a world-wide scale. The public is waking up to the disinformation and propaganda fed to it by the "professionals."
The article/statement drew the attention of fellow Blogger TOM GRUCHY and he asked if I would agree to an interview (by him) to discuss it to which I agreed (video below). Mr. Dastardly's statement was published by the "professional" media and urged the public to ONLY trust the "professional" media particularly when it comes to information concerning the so-called "Corona Virus." He wrote (among much more):
"Part of what I would encourage people to do is to buy a local paper, to go online to read a reputable news source, to listen to the news radio and to watch news broadcasts because the value that the media add is through the professional approach of their journalists, the professionalism of editors, editorial policy and the regulator." One would think "hasn't he read the Leveson Report?" Or "doesn't he know anything about the Old Media (formerly known as MSM)?
The truth is this guy almost certainly knows what he is doing, just like the rest of the world's "professional" communicators/Old Media/governments and that is to help erode the public's Civil Liberties and freedoms under the guise of a pandemic. To discourage the public from doing its own research and to remain in fear while relying on one of the most discredited professions (old media) to give it the truth.
Tom Gruchy and I discussed how the local Old Media is not happy that the government/Communications Unit is not answering questions from the media etc. It is explained why the media only has itself to blame. Much more is discussed/revealed in the interview that we believe could be of great interest/value to the viewer and encourage you to watch to the end.
An incisive and timely interview.
ReplyDeleteFormer Deputy Trevor Pitman tried to get the States to abolish the Communications Unit during a Budget debate a few years ago. What a shame not enough listened.
ReplyDeleteNobody with even half a brain should trust the Jersey version of the Old Media. Surely HDLG showed everyone that?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree the local media played a disgraceful part in the Haut de Garenne saga I have never bought the paper since, that government is advising us to use them is sad but they are on a hiding to nothing!
Deletesame here .There was one report that so incensed me that i too gave up buying the paper, and i am an ex HDLG resident.
DeleteGood question.
ReplyDeleteJust what IS an accredited journalist?
And even if a person has completed some qualification in 'journalism' - what kind of guarantee can this ever be, once dependent on pay from a mainstream organisation with interests and connections to protect, that said person will be, or perhaps more likely, be ALLOWED to tell the truth?
I look forward to hearing answers to the above from the new Communications Unit director, and/or the Jersey Old Media themselves.
I'm confident there will only be a roaring silence.
Keep up the good work.
I don't trust anything I read online or off.
ReplyDeleteMe too. That is why I am not going to trust your comment. Sorry.
DeleteHasn't anyone noticed that this type of goverment funded propaganda, telling people who to trust, is the stuff of 1984? Trev's point about there being no guarantee of a newspaper or TV employee telling us the truth is well made. These people will tell us what they are told to tell us. Unless they are independents with editorial control.
ReplyDeleteOne notes Charlie Parker's pressentation today who mentioned the comments online from people speculating upon details of the current crisis. To blame this upon people who have too much time on their hands is straight out of Jimmy Perchard's comment of people questioning the care of people in States' establishments.
DeleteEither way, this is a somewhat disappointing turn of phrase.
The Beano is not the Rag
Accredited media are media acceptable to the state.
DeleteA former Israel Defence Force spokesman, Dirk Yoni was never going to be anything other than pro control.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points raised in your interview Neil. As you mentioned it's not just Jersey but the BBC and big news corporations.
ReplyDeleteI just canecelled my subscription to the Daily Telegraph. When they asked me why ? My answer was simple. The Telegraph encourages open debate on its articles comments section ( very few are no comment ) with the exception of any article, big or small about the Royal Family no comments ever allowed. This shows biased reporting esspecially given the fact that they are publicly funded. The point being do not comment for or against the RF. Therefore Telegraph protectionism and not true honest reporting. The public are expected to to trust this carry on ?
You used to subscribe to the Daily Telegraph? Surely this was without knowing that the brothers owning it have not been based in the UK for yonks, the paper constanstly seeks to distort opinion with rightwing lies, and lurk in a huge castle on tiny Channel Island Tax Haven Brequo
DeleteTwo things really bother me about the current situation. The first is one that you have highlighted. Governments have given themselves huge powers over citizens. Getting our freedoms back will be a hard task.
ReplyDeleteThe second is the blurring of the lines between what the law requires and government "advice" or "guidelines." In the UK Ministers, and Police Forces have caused distress and confusion by prescribing how people should behave as if it was a legal requirement when a close examination of the actual law would reveal that it is far more relaxed about such things as exercise and shopping than governments would want us to believe. Government advice is just that. It does not have the force of law. Perhaps someone with a good understanding of Jersey Law could extend our understanding of the gap between what we are required to do and what we might be asked to do?
Excellent post VFC. Nice to see you in front of the camera.
ReplyDeleteAs ever, from the voice of VFC an honest and truthful interview outlining exactly what the problems and concerns are in regard to the MSM. Here in Jersey we have been lucky to have some excellent (un)accredited media, VFC, Rico Sorda, Trevor Pitman, Bob Hill and others who have exposed so much in a forthright and honorable manner. Suffice to say they were very instrumental in exposing so much that our Government would love to have kept hidden in regard to the IJCI. Their input was invaluable, and it is a great shame that most have felt the need to step aside, but hey - this is The Jersey Way again. tonight, in regard to the present Covid-19 situation, there is an excellent column by Rob Duhamel which exposes the secrecy and non-communication from the Government over matters which should be in the public domain. He says that we need an explanation. Well indeed we do, so who is going to ask for one??
ReplyDeleteSorry, but Dick Dastardly vs VFC is a no-contest. We all know who the winner would be.
Here's something interesting from New Media (formerly known as Social Media) that I haven't seen anywhere on the Old Media (formerly known as MSM) HERE.
ReplyDeleteThere is an alternative to the Old Media's message concerning Covid-19, and as mentioned in the INTERVIEW do your own research, don't believe it just because it was said by the Old Media. Similarly don't believe it just because it is on New Media.
Do your own research.
The video has been removed by YouTube for breaking their 'community' rules. What was it about?
DeleteIt's not me.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there were a few problems with my sound on this video and the persistent 'phone caller did not help - but I hope it is interesting and valuable. Not because I want to be in the "entertainment business" but because I want to stimulate discussion of serious public issues. As always I invite others with a viewpoint to make contact if interested in recording an interview - which means via Skype during the current lock-down situation. My email is mikedunjersey(@)gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI see David Ike is being branded a consiracy theorist again. Or so the JEP's link to UK news tells us.
ReplyDeleteStrange that "conspiracy" is such a discredited concept yet history shows time and time again that really big scandals and abuses were true. And so it continues today. Perhaps Nobel should introduce a "heretics" award for those who are ridiculed (or worse) but found to be speaking the truth subsequently.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever complained directly to the BBC?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints
Yes and it's a complete waste of time sending a complaint to the BBC about the BBC.
DeleteThe Jersey Human Rights Forum is now established on Facebook. It will deal with human rights as they apply or are ignored in Jersey. Inevitably there will be some consideration of matters outside of Jersey if they are relevant and if there are lessons to be learned. Your participation is needed and we want to interview or receive articles to post - but if you are just looking for an argument please stay away. I am Mike Dun
ReplyDeleteThe forum should actively take a look at and report on the lack of movement in making our States Assembly compliant with fundamental Human Rights. Surely this is an ideal issue for you to take up. let's face it. If the Forum doesn't then nobody else will. Still stuck with the Bailiff in the dual role. Still nobody doing anything about our States Assembly having a good 50% of incumbents who broke the election lawa but were allowed to keep their seats. And people like me can still not have the chance to vote for good, honest former members as they remain barred just because they were once very dodgily made bankrupt. These are all Human Rights issues yet nobody in the States does or even says anything.
DeletePPC should be the ones doing this my friend. But they don't seem to do anything that they should do do they. How much clearer can the need for the Bailiff to be replaced be?
DeleteWith regard to your observation on people being barred from standing I take it you must mean the Pitmans? I wholly agree with you that this situation is wholly unacceptable.
But I think you will find that the continuing limbo on this is all down to the PPC Chairman sitting in a seat that he will be messing himself one of the Pitmans might decide to take back.
Self interest is the name of the game here I think. Shouldn't be acceptable but this is Jersey you know.
You would think that we might have a few more progressive members happy to try and correct such wrongs? Doesn't seeem to be that way though. It is almost as if democracy is an issue that everyone including Reform Jersey have got together to decide just won't be touched. In Reform Jersey's case this is somehow all the worse as they make themselves out to be the conscience of the States. The Jersey Way just seems to absorb everyone now days.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Neil, one of the biggest names in UK politics, although not a politician, says that only 17% of people trust what they read in the old newspaper media. He then goes on to prove it using the Times as an example. In other words supporting your views comprehensively and using facts. An interesting short video.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/nigelfarageofficial/videos/2649606388646765/?t=422
Senator sam Mezec is right to say that anyone of 18 and over should feel able to stand for election to our rubbish parliament. I am 19 but so what if I will only just have finished university and not had a proper job? Most of our states members seem to be thick so someone from university should be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI do have to add though that it is very disaapointing that Senator Mezec or his party has not stood up to allow people like the Pitmans to stand again should they want to. If he reads this maybe he can tell me why? I want the biggest amount possible of good, intelligent people in the states 18 or 80.
Is Rico coming back to blogging?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it. There is only this one and Tom Gruchy left now.
DeleteSurprised no one else commenting on the unfair criticism of Mezec for advocating that young people should stand for election on social media. That said I would also add my voice to the question raised above as to why he and his party aren't throwing their full weight behind reforming the States and even the laughable bar on the Pitmans. Surely this is what Reform should be about?
ReplyDeleteSam Mezec has done okay since getting in to the States so I imagine that the "people on social media" according to the Rag attacking him for never having had a "proper job" are likely just our good old pal the troll. Mezec has hardly done worse than any of the Constables let alone the new intake generally from 2018 so let's leave him alone.
ReplyDeleteAs for his not doing anything to try and right the obvious wrong done to Trevor and Shona Pitman with the pair's barring I have to concede that this may be another matter entirely. I think I am right in saying that I remember Deputy Shona Pitman actually endorsing Sam so to now stand by and not use his position to try and right that political wrong doesn't say much for him.
But speaking generally with only two years to go to the next election I can't wait for the chance to try and make this dull as ditch water States political again. Not that they are all bad it is just that nobody ever seems to do or say anything that gets you talking at work.
At first I thought this Mezec/age/the de-barring of the Pitmans was a little off track for what this post was meant to be about. But having thought long and hard about it I realise it could not be more apt. Chuck in the Syvret data protection abuse saga and Bob's your uncle. This is the nitty-gritty about civil rights and the most scary thing is that it is quite clear that even those on the plastic progressive side don't give a hoot.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the big problem with the so-called Progressive Left that they all nowadays anyway all just want to be the messiah?
DeleteI hope to dear. And stating a few facts isn't whining. Maybe you should turn off the day time telly soaps and face reality yourself? I'll be 21 at the next election so what are the odds that people like you will be telling me that I need to have had a proper job in the real world before I can?
ReplyDeleteThis States Assembly is packed with criminals who broke the election law in 2018 yet were allowed to keep their seats thanks to the collusion of the AG. Why would you ever want to join such a group?
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or have others noticed how our our 'temporary' Nightingale hospital at Millbrook appears to be coming very much more permanent to say the least, including a large block built structure alongside.
ReplyDeleteHaving looked into my crystal ball I think the following could well happen with regards to our 'yet to be' new Island Hospital.
There will be an announcement to the effect that a wonderful idea has happened and the temporary structure will (miraculously) be used for housing patients from Gloucester street hospital while that site is once again put forward as the preferred site.
Just a calculated guess but as the old saying goes 'Watch this space'
In regard to the comment 11 May at 12.30, simple, you pick up £50.000.00 a year for sprouting a bit of hot air and then find a lucrative sideline to top it up like certain politicians who have been doing it for years.
ReplyDeleteIn regard to the comment 11 May at 19.01, if you check it out, the trustees of the Boots family they have gifted the use of the land for the Nightingale hospital with a covenant that the land will be put back to how it was prior to the erection of the hospital, they have also said that there will be no permanent buildings on the site.
The Boots trustees may not wish to sell however the States can use compulsory purchase powers as they have in the past. The covenant can also be dealt with as it was with the old tea factory land that was protected but became housing, further towards town along Victoria Avenue.
DeleteA year ago today THIS BLOG was published further exposing "The Jersey Way."
ReplyDeleteWith the Deputy Scott Wickenden "Wine-Gate" going on it will be of interest to see how the discredited, and disgraced, ITV/CTV report on it (if at all). Remembering the farcical "reporting" it did when it was Deputy MONTFORT TADIER back in 2009.
ReplyDelete