This week a study by Loughborough University’s Centre for Research in Communication and Culture confirmed what we all already knew.
A mainstream media bias towards Boris Johnson and against Jeremy Corbyn was laid bare in the first of a weekly report that will be published from now up until the general election.
The figures reflected strong editorial support towards the Conservatives provided by the newspapers with the largest circulation, namely the Daily Mail and the Sun.
In contrast, Labour had a substantial deficit of positive to negative news reports in the first formal week of the campaign.
First two months as party leader
It is a shocking indictment of a supposed free-thinking democracy that such a marked disparity exists, but this is nothing new.
Research conducted by the Independent in 2016 after Corbyn’s first two months as party leader found that 75 per cent of press coverage misrepresented the Labour leader.
The analysis concluded that when it comes to the coverage of Corbyn in his role as leader of the opposition the majority of the press “did not act as a critical watchdog of the powers that be, but rather more often as an antagonistic attackdog”.
Over half of the news articles were critical or antagonistic in tone, compared to two thirds of all editorials and opinion pieces. Besides the almost total lack of support in the latter, especially in the rightwing media.
Public perception of Corbyn
This wouldn’t be so much of a problem if the public was mindful of the blatant smear that has become a mainstay of our national newspapers, but it has started to wash with them.
According to the latest polls 47 per cent would prefer Boris Johnson as Prime Minister compared to just 16 per cent who said the same of Jeremy Corbyn. That’s up six points from last month for the PM and clearly tallies with the positive media sentiment he has been enjoying from the media.
And while the Labour party is engulfed by an antisemitism storm in the run-up to the election, little is said of the Conservative’s Islamaphobia issue, or even that it is likely suppressing a report into Russian interference until after the general election.
Brainwashing
It all amounts to a level of brainwashing that is more commonly associated with dictatorships rather than a proud democracy.
Earlier this year we reported that citizens living Romania found one headline in The Sun to be more akin to state-run propaganda than their own “Scinteia” – known as the official voice of the Communist Party.
Featuring Johnson in a ball of sun to coincide with the hottest July day ever they trumpeted Johnson’s promise of a ‘golden age’ under his premiership, saying he gave opposition leader Corbyn “a roasting” too.
All from Britain’s best-selling daily newspaper.
Why does Corbyn get bad press?
So why does Corbyn get such bad press?
Well, as Robert Owens pointed out here, it’s “because he represents the biggest threat to the right wing ideology and stability of the super rich – the same people who own our national media.
“One of the best tricks of the press is convincing people that a Corbyn Government would result in Britain becoming some sort of Communist State (like failing Venezuela), which of course is utter rubbish.
“A little less neo-capitalism (i.e. clamp down on those extorting us) and a little more socialism (i.e. sort out the NHS and our public transport), is all that most people ask. Yet, the national press has brainwashed the public that ‘socialism is bad’.
“You may not agree with all or any of Corbyn’s policies, but it should trouble you that newspapers exercise power and influence in a number of ways. It is not just that they have a giant megaphone letting them dominate the public debate/thought. They have privileged access to politicians (just check out Rupert Murdoch’s wedding guest list) and have the ability to effectively set the political agenda.”
Related: Debunking the myth that Tories are better than Labour with the economy
Such nonsense. You need to apply Occam’s razor: He gets bad press because he’s full of it.
Full of what? Honesty and integrity? a genuine wish to better the lives of the poorest whilst Boris is full of self promoting bull that a 4 year old can see through? The most wasteful Lord mayor of London ever had seen (Garden bridge, water canon…..financial aid from the public purse for under qualified women that were giving him lessons in something or other but not business) The worst, most racist, useless foreign secretary we’ve ever had! His own staff had to follow him and apologise and try and correct his mistakes…..Good grief If the man told me it was raining I’d stick my head out the window to check! Plus don’t get me started on his ultra right wing cabinet.
Catherine explain what he’s full of. I bet you just come out with nonsense.
I fully agree he is full off it he has a hidden agenda too.
You are mistaking Sweeney Todd for Occam’s razor Catherine.
I like that – displays a certain intellectual astuteness and perception!
Tommy Robinson and Donald Trump also get plenty of bad press. Why not write a similar article about them?
Derp!
Because they are obviously bad.
I didn’t realise they were standing in this election
Catherine, did you even read the article
Yes,. Weird question. Did you?
yes, did you? How old are you? 5?
a four year old response.
I have to agree with Catherine….the bad press is because there is nothing good coming from Corbyn…..and I am a lifelong socialist ( modified from communist in late teens) I cannot understand the labour party maintaining Corbyn as leader when it is obvious that he is unelectable. I would dearly love a proper labour socialst government but first the mess of Brexit needs to be sorted by fullfilling the original wishes of the electorate.
If you were a real socialist you would love everything about Corbyn from his policies and his character. Repeating ring wing talking points like “hes unelectable” when the guy has been elected to party leadership TWICE with an overwhelming majority and getting more votes in the last election than any other labour government even though the entire main stream media is biased against him makes you look like a fool. If you were a real socialist you would educate yourself more on the facts and not spout utter rubbish.
There’s a certain age group that has been poisoned via low grade propaganda to hate Corbyn and they dont know it. These people always fail to deliver a reason why he’s “unelectable” and always fall back on a point the media have spoon fed them to fit their agenda. Corbyn won’t get in not because he’s a bad politician but because people in general are stupid and are easily manipulated into voting for a cause that doesn’t benefit them.
Which is quite clear when you look at the people of 18-35 who love Corbyn because he’s the only person who is looking out for the future of us, not the greed of the rich and dwindling. If Tories didn’t think he was genuine, they wouldn’t have to revert to playground tactics of rumours and lies to try and get ahead. It’s all bemusing if you ask me. But either way #jezzaforprezza
Your remarks, DAVID JELLYMAN, suggest you expect information to be provided for you rather than getting it for yourself. You put yourself at the mercy of the good will and intentions of the press. Your view is clearly based on hearsay and not personal knowledge or insight. You lack the ability to recognise the irony of your comments on this article.
Who would you prefer as leader of the socialist Labour gov?
It must be so difficult going through life while being so gullible. The most principled politician for several generations, who has concrete plans to make life better for the vast majority of the population and you think he’s unelectable because believe the biggest smear campaign in British history. Why do you think that campaign exists?
Wow Tory Trolls are in there fast – you would think they were paid to do such stuff ..;but I digress . Yes Corbyn gets it in the neck because he is the enemy of the billionare owners of the press . The Daily Mail for example registered in the Baharmas or some other Tax dodging exile , or the Balcley Brothers in Sark . Who seriously expects such folks to comit finantial suicide by promoting Labour ? remember folks There is no public opinion its all press opinion . and who owns the press ?
I do not understand how anyone could brand Corbyn racist and anti-Semitic. All his life he has campaign against these things. There is a difference between anti-Zionism and anti-semitic. People need to educate themselves about it. I’m voting Labour.
Corbyn is a marxist idiot, who supports the IRA, Isis, Hamas, Hezbollah. wants to destroy our armed forces, hasn’t a clue publicly on the corrupt EU, has economic idiots like Abbott in his team, champagne socialist millionaires who preach the ‘do as I say and not as do’ mantra. like lady nugent, traitors like Starmer and Benn – then there’s the asshole from Liverpool – the shadow treasurer, who wants to return us all to the dark days of the 70s, unions on strike, no power, bins not emptied. and a national rail service that was filthy, always late and with ‘who the fuck cares’ staff. Oh, and the pro EU set, determined to block the vote of 17.4m, the largest ever vote in British democratic history. then there is the commie momentum mob and their hatred for the Jewish nation. I have never come across this so-called news site before – clearly a left wing rag hoping to rival the Guardian. And we haven’t even talked about an economic manifesto that would turn the UK into Venezuela – that other hotbed of socialism.
You’ve literally just regurgitated lines from the media this article is scrutinising. Understandable you’d feel defensive and respond in the way you have when people imply you’ve been manipulated by said media, but for god sake, step back and look at the overall picture. Boris Johnson is a terrible person, yet the newspapers paint him as the opposite because he looks after their interests and keeps them rich, and in turn, himself. Younger people who are able to think for themselves are seeing through this sham and I think everyone will be surprised by how well Labour do in this election, especially when the media is telling the public they don’t stand a chance.
I’m sorry Pete but your comment shows lack of informed education. Perhaps, you could research who the real supporter of Isis is. Also take some time to research how the crisis in Northern Ireland was settled. All Jeremy Corby did was request that British Government talk to IRA. And guess what? That’s exactly how things got better there. Please Please, stop watching BBC. Promise me from today you will recite this. ” I refused to be BBC victim. I shall question more”.
Um, how do Pete’s rantings lead you to believe in any way that he got those views from the watching, or listening, to the BBC???
Well the BBC have had a long campaign of repeating the IRA smear about Corbyn, as they did on R4 News at 0615 yesterday. I immediately sent them an email pointing out that this was not true blatant bias and they didn’t repeat it.
The right wing tory fantasist is strong in this one!
Have you ever even read anything that is true?
Get off facebook and out of the sun, and look up the history of this guy. Also, don’t let the super rich have you thinking that you’re even in “their gang” because you really aren’t.
Working class believing that they’re middle class and will be looked after by the tories is what is wrong with this election.
They’re only looking to stay rich, despite everyone else!
All of the above are not facts, they are lies and mythologies put out by the right wing press. I am just trying to think if you have left anything out of there.
Well done! This is a prime example of what they are talking about. The lies and media spin about Corbyn. It would seem that you have swallowed the whole lot and are now regurgitating it here.
Either that or you are a troll with a very old, well worn ‘anti-Corbyn trolling handbook’.
If you are a Brexiter then I suggest you do a lot more research and discover the real reasons behind the promotion of Brexit and the campaign in the media about Corbyn.
The media shouldn’t take sides in this election.
because the article is about Corbyn — derp!
Who would you prefer as leader of the socialist Labour gov?
Johnson is not a true leader, he is the puppet of the super rich who quietly run this country for their own interests. I’m at a loss to understand how this buffoon is taken seriously…. A man who blusters his way through interviews without giving a straight answer to a straight question and goes off on a monologue tangent claiming that it’s all Labours fault (out of office for over 9 years?) and droning on about “Getting Brexit Done”, which I doubt he’ll be able to deliver on…. remember “dead in a ditch?” Boris and his clique will use and abuse the honest working people of this country including those gullable enough to believe his lies and vote for him… and make no mistake, the man is a liar and not to be trusted. As for Corby, why is everyone so afraid of this old vegetarian geezer with a beard who rides a bike and has an allotment? Well, like it or not, he’s a man of honour who has fought all of his life for the underdog, who isn’t rattled easily and is as tuff as an old boot… remember when his “whole” party tried to get rid of him? …. and he just can’t be bought off… Look out fat cat billionaires, Jeremy is coming after some of your “gravy” to share with the hungry, the homeless and hard working young families trying to bring up children and keep their head above water… and what’s so wrong with that?