This week on The Headliner...
As tragedy struck in Berlin this week, the news agenda was understandably dominated by Monday’s suspected terrorist attack at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market. The exact motives behind the attack remain unclear while the perpetrator remains at-large, but what has been remarkably apparent is the triumphalism with which politicians on the far-right react with to such tragic events. Nigel Farage’s comments referring to attacks like these as “the Merkel legacy” show a dangerous but effective tendency to fit complex events into simple political narratives, which mainstream politicians either lack the inclination or skill to refute.
However this most turbulent of years still holds the potential for welcome surprises, not just unwanted shocks. Katie Hopkins’ uncharacteristic apology to a Muslim family she had slandered earlier this year - and the news that the Mail Online are due to pay them £150,000 in libel fines - may have been buried in the middle of the night, but that didn’t stop eagle-eyed tweeters from sharing her embarrassing climb down far and wide the next morning. Could this mark a change in heart for Britain’s most venomous columnist? For the woman who once described migrants as “cockroaches... built to survive a nuclear bomb”, The Headliner panellists sincerely doubt it. Outside of legal action like this, it’s encouraging to see businesses and brands begin to take a role in challenging odious media narratives. Campaigns such as Stop Funding Hate are increasingly showing outlets that brands are well within their rights to pull advertising money if they disagree with editorial stances, and if publications don’t learn adapt to this they could soon face severe financial challenges.
If you were surprised by the EU referendum result, it may be due to the “echo chamber” phenomenon. The news we consume on social media is heavily influenced by the people we are friends with, and tailored by algorithms which select stories based on our preferences. As a result, the news we consume often reinforces our existing views. Perhaps the secret to broadening our own horizons lies in the various apps created specifically to counteract this, opening up our newsfeeds to difficult opinions.
It has been a great week for Star Wars fans like The Headliner’s very own Chloe, as the eagerly anticipated Rogue One has been released to a record-breaking box office performance. While it’s clear the public love Jediism, a religious movement based on the depiction of the Jedi, the Charity Commission for England certainly aren’t “at one with the force”, having denied the Temple of the Jedi Order’s request for official religious recognition.
As the final podcast of 2016, our panel reflect on what’s been an eventful year. While likely to be remembered for Brexit, Trump and the departures of much loved artists and celebrities, we should also remember some of the lighter moments. This was after all the year that the British public almost voted to name the UK’s new polar research ship ‘Boaty McBoatface’.
Listen in as our panel of Chloe, Ollie and Rich pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more of our expert views, come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/