Locals respond to GB News in Govanhill
Right wing media outlet GB News paid a visit to Govanhill recently to find out what ‘the locals’ think about the Palestine-Saltire flags on Vicky Road. But they only managed to speak to three people – who unsurprisingly were not happy. So we asked the same question…results may vary.
By Devon McCole | Photos by Iain McLellan
GB News is one of Britain’s many right wing media outlets. They recently made the bold move of parachuting into Govanhill to see what Southsiders make of the Palestine-Saltire flags flying on Vicky Road.
The flags were installed to show Scottish solidarity with Palestine, and is a refreshing response to the ‘Raise the Colours’ movement which started in England as people were encouraged to fly the St George’s flag (and paint roundabouts apparently) to show their ‘English pride’ and ‘reclaim it’. The campaign began in August as a response to the flag's association with anti-immigration nationalists for its overpresence at such rallies. For that reason the raising of the colours has sent an entirely different message to others, who see it more as an attempt at rebranding its use at far right, anti-migrant protests, rather than a reclamation of English pride.
As GB News put it “Scotland followed suit, and indeed Saltire’s appeared all over the country” apparently by people who they suggest saw themselves “as reclaiming the Saltire from the Independence movement.”
Screenshot of GB News article
The video clip called ‘Glasgow residents react to Scottish-Palestine flags being unfurled across the city’ shows a GB News reporter standing on Victoria road, mic in hand and cuts to short, chopped up interview clips of three people: two older men and one woman. Their article title shown after clicking the link to read the full story is even stronger in its messaging about locals disapproving of the flags: 'We don't want it!' Scots outraged after activist group unfurls Palestine-Saltire flags on city centre: 'I hate to see it'.
After some thought, we decided three people weren't quite reflective enough of the whole community, and so we asked you what you thought.
Someone by the name Jb Bers commented what most of us could have guessed: “Sounds like they were looking for specific people with specific feelings.” This same sentiment seems to be shared by Yusuf Prasad, whose amusement prompted him to ask: “Were they in disguise?”
Andy Neil said: “The only reason any right wing organisation, political party or individual takes an interest in Govanhill is to deride or divide. They’ve never succeeded in doing it and the signs are that this isn't going to change any time soon.” and it’s quite true, we explored media bias in Govanhill in an earlier issue this year which you can now read on our website.
Read more: Govanhill is a home, not a headline
Someone going by Hwthrn Mchl commented: "Absolutely love seeing them [the flags].”, which is echoed by commenter Gemma GH who said “ Love them ❤ ️ shows real solidarity. Where can I buy one?” and Jane Whitehead, who added: “So refreshing after far right hateful flag nonsense.” Caroline Mulhall also agrees they are a refreshing response to ‘Operation Raise the Colours’: “Hate how my beloved flag was weaponised by those who hate! I was actually on the number 7 bus turning into Victoria Road…and I caught these out the corner of my eye. It made me smile ”
And if the outpouring of comments like theirs isn’t enough to prove GB News’ generalising, sensationalist claims that Southside locals don’t support the flags isn’t fair or accurate, perhaps the 1.5k likes on our Instagram post asking folk what they thought of the flags is?
Yes, there were comments disapproving of the flags on our posts too, like one user who said “Only one flag in Scotland 🏴 🏴” and another expressing their broad discomfort at flags being used to divide generally: “Tribalism sucks. No flags please, whatever type.” But far less than those supporting.
Evidently GB News didn’t make much of an effort to speak with more than three people, that or they simply didn’t want to share the responses that didn’t match their framing. Whilst it’s true not everyone in the area is going to agree, it seems fairly obvious that GB News are not interested in doing any real journalism for good in this community.
Interestingly enough, owner of GB News, multimillionaire Paul Marshall, made headlines earlier this year in May after he controversially called for BBC’s fact checking service, which he described as having “an explicit or near explicit left-wing agenda,” to be shut down. Which begs the question, can an outlet like GB News really be trusted to accurately capture and honestly share the thoughts and feelings of communities like ours? Likely not.
Divisive and sensationalist, right wing outlets owned by millionaires like GB News have their own agenda and fair, representative coverage of our community certainly isn’t on it. But it’s at the very top of ours. Want the real picture, captured by real people in your community? Drop by the community newsroom to share your story, or become a member to support our work.
What do you think? Did you speak with GB News on Vicky Road? If so, what was your experience? Share with us at newsroom@greatergovanhill.com