Israel Matzav

Spectator being investigated because of Melanie Phillips?

I have met Melanie Phillips in person (more than once) and I can tell you that she's charming, witty, sharp, bright, brilliant and a whole bunch of other adjectives. But since she's on our side, that doesn't exactly endear her to some of the powers-that-be in Britain.

It’s a funny old world. I have now been contacted by two journalists informing me that Bedfordshire Police are investigating The Spectator. Why? Because of the Melanie Philips blog where she referred to the “moral depravity” of “the Arabs” who killed the Fogel family in Israel. CoffeeHousers can judge for themselves if they agree or disagree with her language and views – but should this be illegal? The Guardian has written this story up, claiming The Spectator is being investigated by the Press Complaints Commission. This is untrue. The PCC tell me that a complaint has been lodged, but that’s as far as it has gone. They investigate only if they believe there is a serious prospect that their code has been breached, and it hasn't. Our blogs, as well as the magazine, adhere to the PCC code.

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PPS: CoffeeHousers should go easy on the Bedfordshire Police, they have probably filed this complaint in the same drawer as UFO sightings. But it's interesting to see how easily the media is manipulated. Here's how it goes:
1) Inayat Bunglawala, chair of Muslims4UK, gets angry about what he reads on Melanie's blog.
2) Complains to the PCC.
3) Complains to the police.
4) Phones up The Guardian and says "The PCC are investigating The Spectator!! Story!! Police too!!
5) The Guardian duly writes it all up, on its website.
6) The Independent follows up The Guardian.
7) An inverted pyramid of piffle is thus constructed.

I look forward to reading Melanie's writings in the Spectator for many years to come. Isn't it amazing how people try to silence opinions they don't like?

Labels: Melanie Phillips, Muslims4UK, Press Complaints Commission, Spectator

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:26 PM