British media called out over ‘deeply concerning’ response to New Zealand terror attack

Left Foot Forward

Some outlets refused to use the word 'terrorist'. Others published the killer's views unfiltered.

As the full scale of the horrific events in Christchurch became clear today, so too did the nature of the attack: it was – as New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern described it – terrorism.

But while most New Zealand outlets echoed the Prime Minister’s description, some UK media outlets appeared reluctant to describe the white attacker as a terrorist – while others promoted the killer’s own disturbing material.

The killer published a manifesto saying his violence was motivated by fascist politics, and ranting about a ‘white genocide’.

The MailOnline‘s headlines this morning avoided mentioning the term ‘terrorist’:

And the site allowed readers to actually download the killer’s manifesto, in a shocking move condemned by Labour deputy leader Tom Watson:

The Evening Standard also omitted the word ‘terrorist’:

The Telegraph did manage to describe the ‘terror’ – though not in its main headline:

Meanwhile, the Sun homepage featured an animated GIF of footage taken by the shooter himself – just before he killed people in a mosque. One Twitter user accused the publication of being ‘complicit’ in terrorism.

New Zealand police had urged outlets across the world not to use the footage taken by the terrorist.

HOPE not Hate chief executive Nick Lowles, said the killer’s motives were clear:

“The bloody terrorist attack in Christchurch was carried out by a far-right activist who has published a manifesto explaining why he did it. It is full of praise for other anti-Muslim activists and ideas. This is where the ideologies of visceral hatred end up.

“The terrorist’s manifesto uses the stock phrases of the alt-right to justify murder, talking of ‘white genocide’ and citing spurious statistics about birth rates to explain away the savagery they have inflicted on people simply engaged in practising their faith…

“The attacker’s manifesto specifically says he wanted to ‘incite violence [and] retaliation’ against Muslims.”

A spokesperson for the anti-racism group urged outlets to call the terrorist attack out for what it was:

“This was a mass terrorist attack, pure and simple, and should always be referred to as such. It was not simply a ’shooting’ or a ’tragedy’. Those who push anti-Muslim hatred and prejudice should reflect very strongly on their words today, in the shadow of these horrendous killings, which were designed to sow fear, hatred and terror.”

Yet some tweets by the Daily Mirror focused on the attacker’s ideas – rather than the horrific nature of the murders:

The paper even – until faced with outrage – ran footage filmed by the terrorist himself:

One reader commented: “This is still missing the word ‘sorry’…” Indeed.

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3 Responses to “British media called out over ‘deeply concerning’ response to New Zealand terror attack”

  1. Michael F.

    What can you say? Beyond belief.

  2. Patrick Newman

    Islamophobia is rife in the UK today and the Extreme Right is making its presence felt. A Christchurch like atrocity cannot be ruled out in the UK. The Tory Party should play its part to ensure there is zero tolerance of anti-Islam prejudice but they have done little to deal with it. The press is much more interested in bigging up anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

  3. Janet Marks

    I am horrified by the actions of the Sun and Daily Mail. This type of journalism needs to be banned. It is totally irresponsible.

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