The Sun – Anti-social media
The Sun says on its front page that social media sites should be “forced to clean up the sewer” after the far-right riots broke out a week ago. The paper says ‘40 protests are expected today’ and blames social media for allowing lies to ‘incite violence on our streets.’ The front page says whilst the tech giants rake in profits ‘the rest of us are left to count the cost.’ It adds burnt-out buildings, terrified communities and vicious attacks on cops are amongst the price the rest of us are paying.
THE SUN SAYS As social firms rake in profits spreading fake news, UK is left counting the cost with chaos & terrified communities
LAST week, when sickening incidents of rioting first broke out in the UK, Sir Keir Starmer warned social media companies not to allow their platforms to be used to incite violence.
The Prime Minister spoke directly to the billionaire owners of Facebook, X, Snapchat and others, saying: “Violent disorder clearly whipped up online: that is a crime.
“It’s happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere.”
What has happened to stop the peddling of hate since then?
Absolutely nothing. If anything, it’s got much worse — even as the riots have spread alarmingly, and at huge cost to communities across the country.
Indeed, it’s clear from their lack of action that social media giants couldn’t care less about the PM’s warnings.
Why would they?
For years successive Governments have promised crackdowns but done precious little to curb its worst excesses.
And so we have seen dangerous disinformation trigger and then continue to fuel the riots, starting with the fabricated claims that an illegal migrant committed the tragic Southport murders of three young girls.
In contrast, traditional media remains heavily regulated, rightly abiding by strict legal rules around the reporting of crime and disorder.
Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
If you are someone who reads every perspective of a story, here is a news summary of all of today’s front pages from today’s newspapers; summarised in a 2-minute read
Editorial 07 August 2024.
Wednesday’s front pages continue their coverage of the ongoing riots across towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland. Police are preparing for another day of disorder on Wednesday after an online list of places to target – hotels housing immigrants and immigration centres – leaked online. Extra police have been deployed to protect the country following the destruction of businesses, buildings, and cars as well as looting from the rioters.
Many of the newspapers also report on those arrested suggesting ‘judgement day is here’. The front pages say the rioters are starting to face court now and could be charged with domestic terrorism.
The front pages also feature pictures of the latest action from Paris 2024 – with Team GB’s medal success dominant. The back pages continue the coverage.