An old trick in the black arts of propaganda or sales, is to take an issue or objection, and manipulate it, slightly, I for instance have pointed out, that the councils decision not too respond to enquires, I might make, in the process of constructing posts, for this blog is political censorship.
To explain what I mean, take this twaddle as a prime example from a Tory councillor's blog, "For the benefit of at least one local blogger, who insists, with a complete disregard for the facts, that the local council is 'censoring' its news releases, here's a link to Thanet District Council's Twitter feed, which pushes these out to the public as they appear.
Now the author might have made an innocent errorr ;-) or is manipulating the reality, anyhow I'm arrogant enough to assume by "local blogger", it might mean me, now whilst I have highlighted the refusal to deal with my enquires as being censorship, which it is, the composer in the example refers to the "fact" he claims that "one local blogger", insists TDC is " 'censoring' its news releases, although the decision of the Press Office to no longer send email Press Releases to bloggers, whilst laughable (the reasons of cost saving), is hardly censorship, just stupid, however what is censorship, is the decision to automatically discriminate against bloggers.
The example of course comes from Cllr. Simon Moores, who in my view denigrates the role played by bloggers, like myself and others, which compliments and extends the reporting of local government, which is erratically covered by local newspapers like the Gazette, KM Thanet Extra.
The irony of this, whilst Conservative Thanet Council has implemented it's policy of censorship, probably the most frequent readers of this trash ( I refer to my contributions) are councillors themselves, from both sides.
Come on Simon, try and be accurate and concise, say what you mean, which local blogger? who insists? what facts? or is it just propaganda?
Thanet council have constructed an arbitrary interpretation of what constitutes the media, I have contacted the press office on maybe a dozen occasions, posted hundreds of times, over years, with many thousands of page views. I think Moores has tried to paint a picture of blogger's endlessly harassing the council staff, I can only speak for myself but I doubt that's true either.
With so few outlets for news in Thanet I am supprised that the press office is so overworked that they have to have this policy of excluding what is probably only yourself Tony and 2 or 3 other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteMaybe bloggers try to get to the truth whereas the local newspapers have to be careful as they have political bias and carry TDC paid for ads.
They are many example of bloggers covering stories that the local rags have missed or choose not to publish.
I think what you need to do Tony is to get your own ward local councillor(s) to find out the information for you and if they fail to do this just let us all know on your blog.
Probably worried you might get too close to the truth especially mentioning and questioning the unmentionables they wont like that!
ReplyDeletehttp://freemasonrywatch.org/tracingboard.html
Personally, I wouldn't go so far as to call it censorship. But I would call it elitist - which is almost just as bad.
ReplyDeleteHere is one definition for you Luke, which might be dramatic but may also fit the bill, Counterintelligence achieved by banning or deleting any information of value to the enemy.
ReplyDeleteTDC are witholding information to those it does not approve.
Simon's posting side stepped the issue by refering to something else a similar sort of thing to KCC councillors recently refusing to answer why child services were neglected and then waffling on about how their rectifying it.
Not much intelligence, to be found around here. Paranoid bollocks more likely
ReplyDeleteMr T
Of course it's censorship, but it's also a pointer to the disdain that the ruling class hold for us peasants.
ReplyDeleteThe way of the future, unless we stop it, is that we shall have very little say in how we live - Agenda 21 - and this behaviour by the council is a small step in that direction.
Reminder whether you are selling viagra or crank theories comments that are off topic, that is don't address the subject, will if I'm in the mood be removed.
ReplyDeleteSo if you posted the comments, I deleted it's no dark conspiracy, just that I'm tired special interest swamping this site.
The issue in this posting is serious, a Tory lead council has decided to treat in a prejudicial manner those it allows access to information.
No, a Tory lead council has said that it will send press releases to the press and anyone else, including Tony and David Icke can get these from the web
ReplyDeleteIs the information in the RSS feed different that what was in the press releases sent in the previous manner?
ReplyDeleteI guess you didn't read the post Mr Maskell the same goes from 9 45.
ReplyDeleteThe issue for me is the blatant discrimination of Thanet Council.
Do remind me which political party you once stood for James.
Interestingly Cllr Simon Moores who frequently pops up on these pages, does not defend his posting clearly, he cannot respond to my challenge.
"Come on Simon, try and be accurate and concise, say what you mean, which local blogger? who insists? what facts? or is it just propaganda?
and he a "journalist"
I think you need to calm down, Tony. Its Thanet Council's choice as to how it presents and exports its news. You may not like it but you have to be a realist about it. Blogging isnt the same as TV, papers or radio.
ReplyDeleteI stood for the Conservatives in 2007. Only a few days ago I made the point that a person should be judged by the quality of their argument not by the colour of their politics. I meant it and expect better of you than that.
Tony's problem is Simon Moores and not Thanet Council.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to be a genius to see that
Im pretty relaxed about it. I dont entirely see the reason for why theyve done it (anon 9:50 had a good point about overworking) but I dont think its censorship since the information is available through other channels. Bloggers are doing good business with FOIs in any case...
ReplyDeleteJames lets face it you are a tory, we are talking about censorship.
ReplyDeleteI accept that the press office might use discretion in using their resources, however this move is a clear case of discrimination.
Still the world is full of compliant people.
I think its fair to say we are now all done with this issue and its time to put this to bed.
ReplyDeleteI would hope that we can behave better than our Councillors, showing that while we differ in our views, we still show respect to each other.
Tony
ReplyDeleteI've watched both you and Michael getting overwrought on this subject and after some thought I have to agree with Luke, James and Peter. Censorship is when an organisation reserves a final editorial decision to itself; in other words it decides what we can be told. Now no-one is accusing TDC of this - its press releases are still coming out and I have no reason to believe that these are any more obtuse than they were before.
Simon Moores is a pompous, self-important numpty; just ignore him. As I've said before, you know when you've pierced his armour when he starts to insult you.
Your blog and Michael's are probably the widest read of their kind on the Island. Drop this matter and concentrate on the real problems - disrespectful Council meetings, KCC profligracy,etc.
You won't endorse this obviously but Michael needs to focus on the Margate-centric bias creeping in from all sides and which has been commented on recently by Laura Sandys and others
Thank you Peter. Just the odd crumb would be nice! More and more commentators are noting this - not all are politicians - and we can only hope that the centralising of everything in Margate is merely coincidental and not revenge by Conservative KCC and TDC on a town that went to Labour because the Conservative candidates in Nethercourt didn't want to believe what their electorate were telling them
ReplyDeleteSo where's this evidence for Ramsgate being left out. It has a town council a very active MP and three members of the 5 members TDC cabinet are from south thanet. Another conspiracy theory Ogmios to join with Rick and the IRA, the masons and those 9 foot green lizards of David Icke!
ReplyDeleteHow do you know this blog is widely read as Tony doesn't have a counter unlike Thanet Life or Thanet Online
Mr T
Thank you again Peter. Mr T is Simon Moores so we need pay no attention to his rantings
ReplyDeletePro-Margate is fine as long as it doesn't manifest itself as anti-Ramsgate. Pop down here sometime Peter and look at the mess that is King Street or the upper High Street. The closed maritime museum in the middle of the only Royal Harbour in England. The desecrated Casino that Rank were allowed to let fall into ruin in contravention of their TDC lease. The Motor Museum, the Incredible Shrinking Jackey Bakers. Look in vain for the police station, hunt hard for the elusive tourist information office, the silted up Harbour that had a 200-year old system for keeping it dredged until some bright spark in Cecil Square decided to have it bricked up.
ReplyDeleteNo, there's no conspiracy; no-one in Cecil Square is that bright.
Mind, we do have more art down here!
@ Mr T, next time you go to specsavers, opt for a pair without rose tinted lenses.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't see the pure evil going on in the world, then you must be in very poor shape indeed.
Ask yourself why the local council should resort to such secretive behaviour.
I am at the time of reading through these comments taking a quick break from my work group, shovel and railway and a little confused just who is Mr T?
ReplyDeletePerhaps I could have an answer by the end of my shift cheers
I know Torys paint this issue as trivial but I'm afraid it never is when discrimination is the motive.
Interesting how Clive harts lot have said nothing
Labour's probably watching this and laughing at how everyone but Labour is joining in this fight over something that you dont have a say and in which you are in the minority over...
ReplyDeleteThere are much bigger issues than this Tony.
Peter Ramsgate is a magnificent looking town, like anywhere it could be tweaked, Margate has had serious difficulties, and investment like Turner and Dreamland are vital to breathe life into the town.
ReplyDeleteYour question is like asking whether a casualty from a road accident receives better treatment than a fit bystander.
Presumably then, using your analogy, Ramsgate just needs a wee sticking plaster because it's full of rich Tories and therefore undeserving (despite my previous list). Margate, of course, needs the attention of the whole medical profession. See Michael's latest post on the TDC website if you're still struggling with the idea of ineqwuality of opportunity.
ReplyDelete