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The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
How has the US reported on Donald Trump's Scotland visit?
Welcome to this week's Media Watch! There really is only one topic in town to discuss this week and that is the arrival of a US convicted felon in Scotland. The National's front page which refused to name the US president has gone viral across the globe, but how has the American media been covering his 'private' trip? Translating Scots phrases The American media has not shied away in the slightest from placing the focus on the protests Donald Trump has been faced since he touched down on Friday. MSNBC was particularly thorough about making sure Americans understood the exact sentiment Scots were expressing. One protester held up a sign at Turnberry – where Trump owns a golf course – saying 'release the files ya lyin' jobbie' in reference to the Epstein files Trump has been told he is mentioned in multiple times. He has come under fire for not releasing the documents. Trump was told by US Attorney General Pam Bondi that he appears in the files related to investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the US Department of Justice's review of the case in May. Reporter Jen Psaki spoke about the sign on MSNBC and chose to translate the word 'jobbie' for the American public. With an image of the sign on the screen, she said: 'One sign there reading 'release the files ya lyin' jobbie'. I don't know if I'm pronouncing that right, but jobbie, which I learned today is Scottish slang for poop, so there's that. READ MORE: Donald Trump responds to John Swinney's indyref2 plan 'In case that's useful for anyone out there this weekend, now you know. Jobbie [means] poop.' The same news report also highlighted a sign put up at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire that says 'twinned with Epstein Island', with the newsreader speculating it 'took a lot of planning' as it 'looks like it was meant to be there'. And Psaki spoke for a segment about bald SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn saying he'd be 'washing his hair' during the Trump visit. It was just one report that showed American media outlets have really been enjoying the trademark Scottish humour on display during the president's trip. Wit, bite and bagpipes This is how the Washington Post described the Scottish welcome Trump received, another outlet that spoke extensively about the various satirical placards on display. The article described many signs as having 'unmistakable Scottish flair', such as one that said 'pipe down Donald', held up by someone playing the bagpipes. They also went to the efforts of translating Scottish slang, explaining that a sign saying 'Nae Trump' meant 'no Trump' and that the phrase 'radge' referred to a wild, crazy or violent person. 'Some children were photographed with signs that read, 'Keep orange fizzy, not fascist', with a logo of Irn-Bru, a popular Scottish soft drink,' the article said. READ MORE: Donald Trump: Maybe all US-UK trade deal benefits should go to Scotland It is clear American journalists were so impressed with the effort protesters went to that they wanted to do it justice in their reporting by letting Americans know in great detail the opposition the president was facing in the land of his mother's birth. Protests were also covered extensively by the New York Times, CBS and PBS. Private and presidential crossover Other coverage has focused on the more far-reaching implications of Trump's trip. CNN homed in on how Trump's trip is 'an example of the president blending private business with official duties'. CNN reporter Jeremy Herb wrote a piece laying out that while the White House was calling his trip a 'working visit', he felt it was the latest example 'of using the trappings of the White House to promote and enrich his businesses while in office'. It goes on: 'Ethics watchdogs say the sprawling number of business ventures Trump is pushing in his second term — including those that benefit from White House policy, such as crypto — has far outpaced that of his first four years in office.' 'Trump is using a driver to smash through basic governmental ethics norms. He's deploying the power of the White House to enrich himself and his family,' said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, a consumer rights advocacy group, who spoke to the media outlet. 'The grift in the Trump administration was the greatest in American history, and it is orders of magnitude worse in the second administration,' Weissman added. 'He's misdirecting policy and taxpayer assets to serve his personal interest, rather than those of the American people.' The White House has repeatedly rejected allegations that Trump is blending his businesses with the presidency.
The National
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Media Watch: When political cartoons overstep the mark
Welcome to this week's Media Watch! On the back of an almighty row between former Labour MP Zarah Sultana and The Observer that broke out on Monday, we delve into the archives this week to look at the tricky subject of political cartoons and when artists take them just that bit too far. Observer slated for 'racist' cartoon On page 33 of Sunday's edition of The Observer, a cartoon by Saffron Swire was published mocking a new party set to be created by Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn. The busy and colourful cartoon depicted an 'invitation' to Jeremy Corbyn's 'party'. The ex-Labour leader was dressed in a Saturday Night Fever style red outfit branded with the Communist Party logo. Whatever your political ties, you can clearly see the fun and satire in this. Brownfacing a box of raisins and mocking my surname. Exactly what you'd expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP. — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 20, 2025 But another part of the image caused issues for The Observer. In the corner there was an image of a "goodie bag" containing a box of raisins saying "Zarah Sultanas" on it, with the image of a "brownfaced" version of the famous Sun-Maid woman. Sultana was furious and this fury did not dissipate when The Observer issued a one-line apology saying it would remove the cartoon from its site. This is mealy-mouthed and refuses to call it what it is: racism. It doesn't even have the decency to name me, let alone offer a direct apology. Supine journalism from The Observer, but sadly that's what we've come to expect from the mainstream media. — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 21, 2025 She accused the paper of racism, as did many others which ultimately forced bosses into taking down the cartoon. Sultana said: 'This is mealy-mouthed and refuses to call it what it is: racism. "It doesn't even have the decency to name me, let alone offer a direct apology. 'Supine journalism from The Observer, but sadly that's what we've come to expect from the mainstream media." Cartoons are meant to be satirical, they are meant to challenge ideas and make people laugh, but this is a classic example of how they can sometimes overstep the line, and it's not the first time it's happened. SNP first ministers 'hanged' A cartoon for The Times by Peter Brookes proved unpopular last year as it depicted Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf with their heads in nooses shaped like the SNP logo. John Swinney, who at the time was expected to be confirmed as the SNP's new leader, was shown putting his head into a fourth noose and saying: 'I'm the continuity candidate.' Brookes shared the image and saw his cartoon labelled 'distasteful' and 'sick'. Andrew Neil also sparked uproar when he shared the cartoon on social media calling it 'brilliant'. Again, what could have been quite an amusing cartoon about the SNP's leadership struggles at the time just took things way too far. SNP figures on crosses Sadly this was a pretty familiar pattern from Brookes. The year before, the cartoonist released a drawing of Yousaf, Sturgeon and ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell tied to Saltire crosses. It has the caption: 'Always look on the bright side of life'. The cartoon was described as 'unhinged'. Then SNP president Michael Russell said at the time: 'It illustrates the contempt that The Times at ownership and management level has for the SNP.' Decapitated Sturgeon And as if hanging and sacrificing her on a cross was not enough, political cartoonist Dave Brown was also slated in 2023 for another 'grotesque' image. Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scottish FM & out come the cliches & stereotypes of Scotland. We get tartanry, bagpipes, hills & glens. Along with the portrayal of violence towards women in public life. Below from Dave Brown & Patrick Blower. — Gerry Hassan (@GerryHassan) February 15, 2023 The cartoonist depicted the then-first minster playing the bagpipes in a kilt with her severed head on the ground next to her. It followed Sturgeon's announcement she would step down as First Minister. The image was published in The Independent, which referred to Sturgeon as the "Margaret Thatcher of Scotland".
Sky News AU
18-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Media Watch refuses to investigate allegations ABC covered up involvement of presenter Myf Warhurst in violent altercation between neighbours
A woman who became embroiled in a neighbourhood feud with Myf Warhurst has taken aim at Media Watch after it ignored calls to investigate the ABC's alleged cover-up of the TV presenter's involvement in the confrontation. The incident occurred in December 2022 when popular Spicks and Specks presenter and her then-partner, architect Brian Steendyk, raised concerns about a concrete wall being built along their shared boundary with neighbour Karla Martinez. The couple claimed part of the structure crossed into their property. Tensions boiled over on December 28, when Mr Steendyk used "a chainsaw and grinder" to cut through approximately 26 metres of the newly constructed fence, according to The Australian. Ms Martinez alleged the incident quickly descended into chaos. Warhurst claimed to the police she and her partner had been assaulted "by the neighbour". A story, which has since been taken down, was published on the ABC's website in May 2024 and targeted the actions of Ms Martinez but didn't even name Warhurst for her role in the disagreement. Ms Martinez reached out to Media Watch over the article in an attempt to expose "conflicts of interest, journalistic deceit, misrepresentation, manipulation and plagiarism" in an act "out of desperation" late last year, but was met with a message saying it was "not interested" in exploring the claims. The mother of three is now prepared to sure the ABC for damages, following the effects the article has had on her life and career. 'I've faced a lot of tough things in my life – I came to Australia as a refugee from El Salvador in 1990 and had to work hard for everything I've got,' she told The Australian. 'But what I've gone through with the ABC is worse than anything else I have experienced – they've ruined my life while protecting their own employee, and they're refusing to take any responsibility for it whatsoever. 'I called and spoke to a producer at Media Watch about my treatment at the hands of the ABC and everything I had been through last December. But they said they weren't interested in having a look at it. I was very surprised.' Ms Martinez reportedly spoke to Media Watch when the show was in between hosts after long-serving presenter Paul Barry left and before Linton Besser joined the program. During the heated feud in 2022, police from nearby Eltham station attended the scene and separated the parties. Mr Steendyk made a formal complaint, leading to Ms Martinez being charged with assault- a charge that was later dropped. The conflict escalated in the weeks that followed, with both sides taking out interim intervention orders (IVOs) against each other. An ongoing dispute over a new concrete wall Ms Martinez was building sparked the ABC's article about the woman but in the story, Warhurst wasn't named and was only referred to as an "ABC contractor" despite the fact her partner's police statement was quoted in it. However Mr Steendyk was also not identified by name, but only as a "neighbour". Ms Martinez has called for Warhurst to be suspended without pay but the presenter has denied knowing about the story until after it was published. In a statement to the ABC said: "The ABC is assured it acted appropriately in this matter. "Myf Warhurst had no involvement in publishing the story. Myf is highly valued by the ABC." has also approached Ms Warhurst for comment.
The National
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Why is the BBC not talking about Scottish concerns?
Welcome to this week's Media Watch! Remember you can get this newsletter for free in your inbox every week by clicking the banner above. Earlier this month, an Ipsos poll for STV showed that for Scots, immigration was not on their top 10 list of things which sway them at the ballot box. So in the newsroom on Friday when we were discussing ideas for the day, it seemed mighty curious the UK-France deal aimed at tackling small boat crossings across the Channel had been high up in the BBC Radio Scotland morning news agenda almost every day last week. Listening back, we found the build-up to the visit by French president Emmanuel Macron and the agreement itself had been in the Good Morning Scotland bulletin every day from Tuesday to Friday, and on two of those days it was considered the top story. In the Ipsos survey earlier this month, Scots had considered all sorts of subjects to be more important to them than this. Healthcare, education, crime, poverty, cost of living and housing were all of bigger concern. In focusing largely on whether the new 'one in, one out' deal would act as an effective deterrent, SNP MP Pete Wishart accused the BBC of presenting a 'skewed debate' on immigration to Scots which is contrary to their interests. READ MORE: BBC breached editorial guidelines in Gaza documentary, review finds 'When we get into the realms of a debate and discussion about immigration, what tends to come out the UK-led debate about this is absolutely totally contrary to Scotland's interests,' he said. 'All we hear about is curbing migration, what we can do to make life as difficult as possible for the poor souls that make it here, whereas Scotland, just to keep our population up – which is already at crisis levels – we are totally dependent on immigration. 'What the BBC are serving us is a debate which is skewed to be against the Scottish interests." The 'one in, one out' deal will see asylum seekers who arrive in England by small boats sent back to France, while allowing some in France to be sent to Britain if they have ties to the UK. On Friday's Good Morning Scotland programme, the focus was on critics who believe it will not be enough of a deterrent, with a clip of shadow home secretary Chris Philp (below) being played during the 8am bulletin where he called the scheme a 'gimmick'. (Image: Lucy North) That was followed by a five-minute interview with an expert in British and French immigration politics. She was asked about who will be selected to be returned, how big a deterrent 'this could actually be' and what action could be taken to reduce the 'pull factor' of the UK. The way this story was pushed by BBC Scotland seemed even stranger after speaking to Emile Chabal, a professor of contemporary history at Edinburgh University who has published widely on the politics of immigration. He told The National there is a 'stark difference' between how Scotland and England view the issue of immigration. READ MORE: BBC host takes issue with expert over 'Israeli concentration camps' 'From all the policy and research work we have over the last 10 to 20 years, we know that immigration is just a less salient issue for Scots in general,' he said. 'We know that the Scottish Government has a different approach to the question of immigration, which is often characterised as either pro-immigration or pro-certain kinds of immigration. There's certainly an idea that Scotland doesn't have enough people and therefore having more is not necessarily a problem. 'Both at a kind of popular and policy level, Scotland is different to England.' He went on: 'It seems clear to me that most Scots feel that immigration would be a positive thing for the Scottish economy and they feel it would be beneficial demographically for Scotland. This is especially true in perhaps rural areas in a way that it isn't in England where rural areas are often places which have a high degree of anti-immigrant sentiment.' Tom Chivers and Tom Mills – of the Media Reform Coalition – both said the way in which the small boats issue was focused on by BBC Radio Scotland was an example of the corporation 'reflecting the agenda of Westminster politicians' instead of honing in on what is important to its audiences. Mills, chair of the Media Reform Coalition and author of The BBC: Myth of a Public Service, said: 'Looking at news in Scotland is revealing I think because it shows the extent to which BBC news reflects the agenda of Westminster politicians and the right-wing national press, rather than the priorities of its audiences. 'In the end the BBC is accountable to politicians, not to its audiences. That's the root of the problem and it needs to change." News is news, of course, and the issue of immigration is clearly important to many people across the UK. But the BBC surely has regional radio stations for a reason, and the way this story was thrust on people driving to work – who are likely more interested in how much their food is costing or whether they can get a doctor's appointment – certainly does seem very telling about where the broadcaster's priorities lie.
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Media Watch: Monday 14/7/2025
Media Watch NEW EPISODE ABC NEWS Current Affairs Australian Watch Article share options Share this on Facebook Twitter Send this by Email Copy link WhatsApp Messenger It's the show everybody loves until they're on it. Media Watch returns with a new host. Sitting in the hot seat will be four-time Walkley award-winner Linton Besser, an investigative reporter and former foreign correspondent. New episodes available every Monday night. Add to your Watchlist so you don't miss an episode.
