{"id":259578,"date":"2024-04-15T12:00:14","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T11:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=259578"},"modified":"2024-05-20T08:35:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T07:35:40","slug":"british-media-and-propaganda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2024\/04\/british-media-and-propaganda\/","title":{"rendered":"British Media and Propaganda"},"content":{"rendered":"
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British media and propaganda: Syria, Israel, Bellingcat, WWI (SPR)<\/p><\/div>\n

April 2024 –<\/strong><\/em> An Exploration of Modern British Media and Propaganda<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contents<\/strong>: 1. Introduction \/ 2. Media ownership \/ 3. Media censorship \/ 4. Reuters news agency \/ 5. NGOs and proxy groups \/ 6. Israel Lobby \/ 7. Media scandals \/ 8. Wikipedia \/ 9. Independent media \/ 10. Search engines \/ 11. Simulated terrorism \/ 12. War propaganda examples<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1. Introduction<\/h2>\n

From World War I to today, the British government and British media have been leading players in the production and dissemination of war propaganda and atrocity propaganda. What began with simple black-and-white cartoons and photo forgeries over a hundred years ago has since evolved into a complex propaganda ecosystem that includes government agencies, proxy groups, sophisticated online manipulation, false-flag attacks, and simulated terrorism.<\/p>\n

The following analysis will explore some of the key actors and features of contemporary British propaganda. In addition, the analysis will review some of the most famous cases of British war propaganda and atrocity propaganda, which have shaped recent Western and global history to a significant extent. Finally, the analysis will discuss independent British media, academic groups and online platforms that investigate and challenge modern war propaganda.<\/p>\n

Please note that this analysis should not be construed in any way as anti-British.<\/p>\n

2. Media ownership<\/h2>\n

British media ownership is more strongly concentrated than is generally assumed.<\/p>\n

Most British newspapers<\/strong> are owned by a few billionaires and media corporations. This includes Rupert Murdoch<\/a> (The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times), Lord Rothermere<\/a> (Daily Mail, MailOnline, Mail on Sunday, Metro, the \u201ci\u201d), the Barclay family<\/a> (The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Spectator), Baron Lebedev<\/a> (Evening Standard, The Independent), and the Reach<\/a> media group (Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Star, and others).<\/p>\n

The Economist is owned<\/a> primarily by the British Rothschild banking family and the Italian billionaire industrialist Agnelli family. The Financial Times was owned by British publishing company Pearson until 2015, when it was acquired<\/a> by Japanese media company Nikkei.<\/p>\n

The Guardian and The Observer are owned<\/a> by the Guardian Media Group (discussed below).<\/p>\n

Taken together, Rupert Murdoch\u2019s News Corp UK, Lord Rothermere\u2019s Daily Mail Group, and the Reach media group control<\/a> about 80% of the national newspaper market. About 60% of total readers in the UK are consuming media owned<\/a> by one of four British billionaires.<\/p>\n

British online news<\/strong> is dominated<\/a> by three major players which together account for two thirds of monthly visits: the BBC (39%), Reach media (18%), and the Daily Mail Group (10%).<\/p>\n

The British television market<\/strong> is dominated<\/a> by the BBC (31% market share, government-controlled), followed by ITV (23%, market-listed), Channel 4 (11%, state-owned), Sky (8%, Comcast, previously Murdoch), Channel 5 (6%, Viacom), and GB News (3%, privately held). The news programs of ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are produced by the ITN group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition to Australian-American media mogul Rupert Murdoch<\/a>, several American foundations<\/strong> also play a role in the British media market. For instance, in recent years the Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Family Fund gave close to $100 million<\/a> to several British media outlets, including the BBC, the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, and the Financial Times.<\/p>\n

In terms of public trust in media<\/strong>, a 2023 survey found<\/a> that the UK ranked last among 28 countries, with only 31% of British respondents stating that they trusted the media.<\/p>\n

Finally, there are several independent online media outlets<\/strong> in the UK, discussed in more detail below. These media outlets currently have a combined market share of about 10%<\/a>, although their reach on social media and some video platforms may at times be higher.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/h4>\n