From top: Irish Times article on Sinn Féin’s ‘opposition’ to new housing; Anthony Sheridan
On June 25 last the Irish Times published an article under the headline:’Sinn Féin has opposed building of 6,000 homes across Dublin, says Fine Gael report’.
There was strong reaction to the piece on social media with many feeling it was little more than a propaganda piece for Fine Gael, facilitated by the Irish Times and designed to damage Sinn Féin in the run-up to the by-election in Dublin Bay South.
Whatever the truth or otherwise of this claim, the journalist Jennifer Bray’s response to the online criticism tells us absolutely nothing about Sinn Féin.
It does, however, tell us a great deal about Irish journalism. Here’s her tweet:
In these 53 words Ms. Bray seemingly abandons journalistic integrity and descends to the undergrowth where the trolls live and operate.
A deconstruction of her tweet reveals the truth of this conclusion.
”Called a despicable propagandist”
This opinion may be harsh but it is legitimate. It is not unknown for establishment media to publish reports from favoured sources and pass them off as genuine articles particularly in the run up to elections.
“among many other slurs“
Irrelevant – no facts provided.
“Many faceless trolls“
Anonymous trolls are a fact of life on social media and should be ignored or reported if possible.
“It is most often on foot of articles about Sinn Fein“
This is where Ms. Bray’s journalistic integrity takes flight. She is clearly implying, without evidence, that Sinn Féin is guilty of attacking her on social media. Many will not see the words ‘it is most often’. They will focus on the words ‘Sinn Fein’ and think – oh it’s that nasty Sinn Féin party attacking people again.
As a journalist it is likely Ms. Bray is aware of this. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that her offensive suggestion appeared designed to damage Sinn Féin. If that is the case then she is guilty of the same loathsome social media behaviour she so stridently condemns in others.
“I mute and block and am totally grand“
This is a victim plea designed to attract sympathy. Portraying oneself as a victim struggling against adversity strengthens an accusation particularly an accusation without evidence.
“But it would be nice to see SF TDs who are tagged in this stuff call it out“
Ms. Bray will be aware that it is impossible for Sinn Féin or any other group to control what other people publish on social media. She will also be aware that it is easy for anybody to create an anonymous account with the aim of smearing those they wish to damage. The recent Eoghan Harris scandal is a particularly nasty example of this strategy.
It is therefore reasonable to conclude that this final comment is an attempt to associate individual Sinn Féin TDs with abusive social media trolls.
Ms. Bray has a responsibility above that of ordinary users on social media platforms. She writes for a newspaper that enjoys a great deal of trust and respect among the population. As an opinion maker she wields a great deal of influence on how people form their opinions.
When she writes from the troll undergrowth she damages her own reputation and betrays the trust of her readers.
Anthony Sheridan is a freelance journalist and blogs at Public Enquiry.
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