Opinion: You are being farmed, in a roundabout way

Roundabouts? I’m over them.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that every mini island in the country had two intersecting red stripes added over the past week. It’s not the case.

The papers are full of photos, albeit the same couple of dozen photos of these St George’s-flagged mini islands. Some from 2018.

I found out today we have one in Telford. St George’s. Of course, it’s St George’s.

This article isn’t about the rights or wrongs of a dash of red paint, but about the excessive media reporting of the few that have been painted.

Should it be reported? Absolutely it should. Facts are facts.

There is only one reason that these are being reported about in the volume that they are, and that’s engagement. You are being farmed.

For or against, left or right; up and down the country each comment, like or sad face is helping journalists reach their targets, and papers earn money.

I don’t hold it against the journalists, they are being wrung out by the big organisations in a race for eyeballs and the money that brings.

We all like a bit of engagement. It tells us what people like to read, so we do more of it.

There is a tipping point though where the repeating of the story, written in another way and posted again *just for the clicks* is too much. The over-representation gives the impression that there is more of this happening than there actually is.

What I do worry about is the sensationalism and proportionality of these stories. It strikes fear into those at the margins of society, and it emboldens others.

It’s polarising people into taking sides and the tribalism that fuels social unrest.

It seems that whatever the article is about, some will find a way to make it about migrants who are arriving by the boatload.

Left or right? Who’s the baddie?

I’ve been in the middle of demos in Telford, livestreaming and reporting for over 14 years. There are extremists on both the left and the right. Black Bloc, Pie and Mash squad, I’ve seen them all.

I’ve stood next to a perfectly polite and professional EDL organiser, and I’ve been standing next to Antifa when they threw missiles at EDL marchers.

I’ve seen marshals litter picking after a demo, and I’ve also had marchers try to intimidate me. It’s a full spectrum, just like society.

On one end you have concerned mothers, and at the other, you have bald, 50-something men on a day out and if it kicks off, they’ll have something to talk about on the train home. This is on both sides, although the Antifa tend to be younger and wear face coverings.

I respect people’s right to protest. It’s essential. I also respect people’s right to still go shopping or open their businesses.

A protest set for the 6th of September in Telford has been called off by the local organiser, a family man.

What started as a genuine desire to have voices heard, seemingly became infiltrated by people with different objectives.

Who wants to put their name to that when it all kicks off?

Pic: Flag of St George in St Georges