Broadcasters’ silence over Tory racism shames ‘mainstream’ journalism

The extent of the corruption of Establishment ‘journalism’ has again been exposed by the absence this week of half-hourly updates on the scandal of hundreds of cases of Tory racism submitted to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Or of virtually any coverage at all, for that matter.

While the media have run endless comment and analysis of allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party – for example a ‘dossier’ that last week resulted in a single decision to prosecute – the submission by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has been conspicuous by its absence from broadcast news feeds, although it has had modest attention from a small handful of press outlets.

The development is not a new one. The MCB submitted 150 cases almost a year ago – but the EHRC delayed any investigation on the grounds that it wanted to see how the Tories’ investigation into racism in their party would be defined.

This reasoning was rejected by the MCB, with secretary general Harun Khan this week calling on the EHRC to fulfil its obligation to uphold the Equality Act and saying:

Having furnished the Equality and Human Rights Commission with evidence of over 100 incidents of Islamophobia in the Conservative party 10 months ago, we find it extraordinary that the commission has failed to give any response, let alone inform us and British Muslims as to whether action will be taken. Two years ago, we estimated that there were cases of Islamophobia being identified in the party on a weekly basis. Now, with over 300 documented incidents, it appears our estimation was too low. There is no doubt that the Conservative party has an Islamophobia crisis. The party’s response has been one of denial, dismissal and deceit. This results in clear discrimination against Muslims because of their religion. Islamophobia is never acceptable, yet this dossier cites hundreds of individuals – including many in significant positions of power and influence – who have made horribly offensive comments about Muslims that would not be tolerated for any other section in our society.”

Racism in the Tory party is a huge issue – and one that starts at its very top. And the media have again failed in their duty to inform the public – including the ‘impartial’ BBC – if ‘failure’ is the right word for what can only be conscious editorial decisions.

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