Yesterday, first-hand, I saw Twitter achieve two apparent results for civility. In the morning, I posted a tweet drawing attention to an online report of a tube official seemingly humiliating an elderly passenger who had his arm caught in a door. A little while later I RTd (‘re-tweeted’: passed on) Charlie Broker’s strongly-worded thoughts on Jan Moir’s unpleasant article of dailymailia. The latter was then picked up by Stephen Fry, and by the end of the day it had gained such widespread awareness that both stories had made the evening news. The tube official was investigated under pressure from Boris Johnson and received a suspension, and Moir issued a statement saying she was a victim of an orchestrated campaign.
Moir’s interpretation was wrong, and betrays a misguided notion about the nature of Twitter and similar forms of networking. There is no orchestration – just the rapid spread of information. Tweets (posts) are passed on, word gets around, and when a Twitter giant like Stephen Fry mentions it, a million people hear and many pass it on themselves. The response to Moir’s article came from areas much further than the Twittersphere, and although the accusation made was one of homophobia, her critics were not defined by sexuality. Ads were withdrawn from her online article, a strong critical voice was heard, and the Daily Mail became mortal for half a day. If the Mail exists to motivate the small-minded complaining communities of outraged middle England, for once it had a clear voice of outrage hurled back at it.
I hope that the tube official was fairly investigated and deserves his suspension. And that the complaints lodged against Moir have a worthwhile effect. As vast numbers shun print and turn to the net for their news, yesterday sounded an interesting note: an infamous newspaper held to account by a sharp, informed, conscientious public. It may even be a first. I did not know Gately, but there was time when he feared the press ‘outing’ him. If his passing has caused this familiar form of mawkish, snide journalism to be held to account, then perhaps we could see that as a tribute to him. And to the astonishing impact of Twitter, and the shared decency of its users.
DBx
HURRAH FOR US!
Boo for homophobes and evil tube station men. Boo on you.
Your article is almost poetic and deeply provoking.
It warms me when humanity of all genders, ages, beliefs and backgrounds come together as one voice against this kind of discriminating and insensitive behaviour.
I do believe the Daily Mail were right to print it; she has the right to say what she likes.
But we have the right to remove her from post and pride.
Once a power for good, the Daily Mail will surely die; the true symbol of facism.
They have another article on twitter twits today an obvious riposte, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220989/Twitter-twits-But-biggest-celebrity-twitterers-internet.html all they do is try to dampen the value of twitter to make it seem trivial so they continue to get away with anything.
The mass of people commenting about how horrific Moir’s article was on twitter made me feel quite proud (:
I think both are examples of a wonderful new age in information technology. Previously these articles and incidents would never of been recorded and spread across networking sites and blogs and public pressure never applied because these incidents never received the light of day in the news.
Hopefully this will be a new age in media and information technology and that for once, perhaps, people will start being held accountable for their inappropriate behaviour.
Well done on being one of the whistleblowers.
The Moir column, according to tweets, according to Radio 5 Live, is the most complained about article, ever; she’s been reported to police for inciting hatred; and the Mail “accidentally” deleted the comments from the article in question, before Twitter forced them to put them back…
Hear hear
Derren, Did you actually read the article, or simply RT?
Because frankly (although I am a fan of yourself & Stephen) you are guilty of nothing less than inciting a mob. A virtual mob nonetheless, but a mob all the same.
With many followers comes great power. And if you have that power you should study your emissions more closely. Both of you.
I applaud your actions WRT the Tube official. But I *have* read Moir’s article and it doesn’t ask any questions that I have not already asked. It’s not homophobic in any way other than to those *looking* to find something to turn into an issue.
All you may have achieved is stifling freedom of speech.
Well put.
Moir didn’t have much of an arguement anyway, so she was bound to come up with some lacking jibberish.
Silly woman.
Perfectly put, Derren.
Well said
…I read the article she’d written and although I’m a trainee journalist (and wannabe novelist…among other things 
) I was shocked by what she had written. I think it was in bad taste that she did it the day before his funeral as well.
I couldn’t believe how fast it circulated on twitter…I bet your glad you got it now
Also as for the ‘dick’ who shouted at the elderly man on the tube…I’m glad he’s being looked into and I hope he loses his job….the worlds bad enough without people like him making someones day just that little bit worse than it already is!!
Katie-Nan
xx
Amen to that.
Knew we could rely on you to put it sum it all up so well.
It was, for want of a better word, ‘pleasure’ to have been part of both issues yesterday, in the sense that I felt we on Twitter achieved something worthwhile.
Twitter is so often deriding as facile or fatuous, but I think yesterday demonstrates that so often this is not the case. It can have a real impact on controversial matters, and like yourself Derren, I can only describe my friends on it as thouroughly decent individuals.
As someone who has serious psychiatric problems, I might actually go so far as to say I may not even be here but for the support and kinship I’ve found through this service. The fact that it doesn’t just make a difference to this one life, though, but potentially to serious social issues is testament to its power and its users.
Thanks so much for your tweets on both of these subjects.
Delicious irony of The Fail being the victim of a “campaign” of complaints, after their very own orchestrated witch hunt against Brand & Ross over “Sachsgate” Hoisted by their own petard?
As for the Tube incident, although it looks cut and dried, we must make sure we do need fall into trial by Twitter or we risk being just like the Mail. The evidence is damning (there was no need to swear, but the old chap should have been behind the line for his own safety) but due process must be allowed to occur.
Couldn’t agree more.
Beautifully put, Mr Brown. I fear we have a way to go yet before the Daily Mail is anything like a respectable publication, but this campaign (and the sterling work of @polljack) hopefully make its denizens aware of what decent people think of them and their loathsome “journalism”.
Well said. In this day and age of instant global media, it is to be expected that the response to said media will also be instant – and global.
Not so long ago, Moir’s comments would have caused a fuss, but it would have taken a couple of days, and would have remained within the UK. In the internet age, the response is instantaneous and worldwide.
I’m proud of my fellow twitterers! And I’m proud of my mum, who after years of buying the Daily Mail (because she likes the puzzle section) is now boycotting them.
Love the blog. difficult to read on a mobile though. any plans to make it mobile friendly?
Well said!!!
Another good response to yesterdays madness.
decent human beings should always defend others.
WELL SAID DERREN. X
Damn straight Derren, yesterway was amazing. I showed my gf the link about the tube and was disgusted at the staff (though I have seen it first hand) . The article by Moir was jaw droppingly bad. Reading her say it was a ‘organised attack’ by social networks and that her statements had no homophobia in them is comparable to Hitler believing he was cleansing for the good of mankind. To even bring up the issue that he was gay displayed more about her than anything else, clearly implying it was sleazy because he was gay!? She needs an education in culture, in this day and age I expected more from journalists. Hurrah for Twitter!, u and Stephen
Well said, Derren. A particularly pertinent conclusion; for a long while I’d questioned the point of Twitter – yesterday’s amazing events seem to have single-handedly justified its existence. I just hope this sense of outrage towards the Mail doesn’t lose momentum. The likes of Littlejohn get away with publishing roughly this level of unpleasantness weekly; let’s hope this level of direct reaction permanently replaces the previous, slightly toothless, net-based methods of protest (vote-rigging, etc.). Also let’s hope Stephen Fry is managing to get a bit of peace and quiet
x
Beautifully put Mr Brown. I hope if you ever meet Moir, you’ll use your mind tricks to make her poke her own eyes out.
proud
Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Got it in one Derren. Its about time the daily mail realised how many people do not support their views or methods. I think its sad that people like Jan Moir find the world so threatening they are unable to have any understanding or compassion for others. It reflects more on them than on the targets of their vitriol
Good post. There’s an interesting segue about the 2 stories you mention, actually: on a DM article about the tube incident, the comments section is dotted with people sneering at the accused tube worker…simply for having long hair. Because in Daily MailLa-La-Land, the only men with long hair are subversive liberals and homosexuals. So instead, let us trim our hair in accordance with the conservative lifestyle…
Well said. I’m really glad you made a difference – just goes to show the power we hold if we work together.
Well Done Derren and all the users of twitter. This was disgusting and i’m glad it’s been revealed. No one group in society should ever be discriminated against and it’s amazing the power people have when they work together. Be proud
I love the irony of the Mail lot feeling victimised and blaming some kind of liberal conspiracy when they’re always happy to encourage the pile-on for something like Sachsgate. I bet more people read Moir’s article than heard that on the radio before complaining.
How does it feel being on the other side, guys?
Terrific stuff. It would be nice if the Daily Mail was taught a lesson by this and stopped adopting its hate-filled, pompous stance whenever the opportunity arose. Maybe if a few more advertisers and readers voted with their feet, we might see some change.
Well said Derren, the time of the Old Media is passing and they can either continue to cynically manipulate public opinion with no feedback or join the 21st century and realise they are part of a growing community of individuals who will take them to task when they get as bigoted and haughty as that horrible Moir woman.
All Hail the Internet!
Spot on Derren
If Mr Moir had been innocent he would not have been on twitter, you would not have mentioned it, Stephen Fry wouldnt have mentioned it and he would not have had been suspended.
Just like that chappy from sheffield University who was pictured urinating on the war memorial this week and thusly he is in trouble with his local authority, it is his own fault.
Its not how you caught that is the problem, its the crime or you distasteful behavior you indulge in that is the problem.
Nice work Derren (and also good on Stephen Fry and Charlie Brooker for holding Jan Moir to account). Regretably the Daily Mail’s brazen response demonstrates that for the likes of Paul Dacre being unrepentant means never having to say you’re sorry.
Checked the Daily Mail’s webpage today out of curiosity, for signs of remorse and the closest thing I could find was an article having a jab at twitter in general and Stephen Fry’s twitter account specifically. The whole thing smacked of sour grapes.
Just confirms what I already knew, that the Mail is a poisonous tabloid rag I wouldn’t stoop to wipe my ass with.
couldn’t agree more…
Well said Derren – as one of the people who originally heard about Ms Moir’s hateful comments because I follow both Mr Fry’s and your own philosophical musings – I am incredibly heartened at the swift and justified reaction to the Mail’s grubby little hate mongering and thank you and Stephen for making objective information available to me via your links and recommendations. What a valuable public service you provide
Thank you x
Congratulations Derren and to all the other people involved in what can only be described as a history making ‘change’ in the way people in the public eye are portrayed by the press.
The press have always had (first) chance to sit in judgement and ‘destroy’ someone’s life while claiming that they are ‘just doing their job’ … Not anymore it seems. The internet and social networking sites like Twitter give people the voice they have always dreamed of having and the scales of justice are now a little more balanced…..well done all.
Sue xx
I have to confess, I used to think that the hype over Twitter was overblown and point-blank refused to join. Still, when I saw how funny and interesting people were – especially Stephen Fry who is the first person I followed – I decided to give it a go, and was amazed at what I found. You’re very right, Twitter is powerful and, despite the fact that I still receive follow requests from strippers now and then, most of the people there are strong-willed, intelligent and thoughtful. I just love this coming together and forming a real loud voice – I for one simply loathe the press.
Well said.
Well said. I couldn’t agree more.
i admire you for standing up for what you believe in and its just unfortunate that some people don’t appreciate that. At least it seems to be sorted now, well done you derren.
Xx
i feel a unity of people through twitter. its a beautiful thing, so many people standing together, no matter who or what they are, united by whats right. I hope justice is done, Twitter has the power to change things as it expresses the voice of the vast majority of people….a voice that cant be ignored.
xxx
Hear hear! Two wonderful victories for armchair activision.
You’re a lovely, thoughtful man.
Wow
well I think it’s brilliant that when injustice is served, we all band together, renews my faith in britain as a whole x
You are fantastic, Derren. Like all bigoted bitches, Moir says that she’s the victim when her shit gets called.
Bravo
“Here Here” [tingly sense of the exhilarating joy of justice flowing through my veins]
Lovely.
All for fighting the good fight, but the venom produced as a result to the point of wanting her dead is sadly not supporting. Have never read so much profanity since. Make aware & Complain yes, it’s the decent thing to do. But to stir hate is not.
Thank you…
Love & Light x
Those two events certainly demonstrate what a positive force that Twitter – and the internet in general- can be. People get away with nasty bullying disguised as “doing their job” everyday;and the Daily Mail gets away with vile, hateful articles everyday.For once they have been called out on it.
As for “orchestration”, was it not the Daily Mail who orchestrated the vendetta against Jonathan Ross and Russel Brand, and the BBC?
Nice article. Reminds me of the Richard Littlejohn online poll about travellers. Glad to see the Daily Nazi get another good kicking.
Well put Derren
Yes I have come across ‘Twitterphobia’ before.
People [on the outside] Non-tweeple shall we say, tend to look down on it as some kind of misguided joke, a thing for dossers, tossers, layabouts & nerdo-wells, with nothing better to do that fondle their smartphone of choice and publish up to the minute drizzle (so they say)
One should never underestimate the power of the public vote.
People in the public eye really need to be awfully careful about what they say & do, as it will very quickly be brought to light and their actions frowned upon if they are in the wrong, which in this case is blatantly true
Twitter rocks!
Totally agree with every word, Derren. We all did awesome.
“her critics were not defined by sexuality.”
No they were defined by being celeb worshiping sheep desperate to try and catch the attention of Fry, hoping their sad little lives will be finally have a meaning because Fry retweets something they’ve said.
Well said indeed. I found yesterday to be an interesting experience, watching the anger build on Twitter (reflecting my own) and then seeing the results and effects of that anger reported back by the media. I imagine that’s the closest I’ll feel to being in a political riot, a silly comment, I know, but true nonetheless.
The DM feeling victimised a tad? Love it, literally LOVE IT.
True, all true…
Twitter is like a snowball sometimes.
p.s- I saw at the top of the page the header
‘All your minds are belong to us’
Changed around ‘All your base are belong to us’?
Winner (Y)
I lodged a complaint about the Jan Moir article as soon as I read it that morning, still not quite believing that such bile could make it to ‘print’. I thought it mightn’t do much good, but I had to at least try to make my voice heard. I assumed that would be the end of it, but I spent the rest of the day watching in amazement as others learned of the outrage and twitter, facebook and other sites all came together in a united showing of disgust and protest against the daily mail. It was a fantastic movement to be part of. Thank you for taking time to help. xox
Huzzah!
About time the daily mail heard from the people who rightfully detest it.
While I approve of your sentiments, can I point out that it’s clear from your quoted timings that your good self and messrs Fry and Brooker were far from the first to spot either the tube-incident or the ghastly Ms Moir’s vile bigotry. I’m a huge fan of the work of all three of you, but both matters were brought to your attention by ordinary citizens already virally disseminating the information. Obviously your fan-bases helped increase the spread, but at the same time, they help support the myth that the campaign was ‘mischievously orchestrated’. With respect, you were a small part of a popular moment of dissent, not its leaders.
Having read Moirs article and re read it I would like to say this. MOIR: you are a tatty, cheap, sorry excuse for a member of the human race. I will say no more but follow my fellow humans example in the treatment of Jade Goody when she spoke out on big brother. And that is to silently, with MY dignity in tact, turn my back to you. And when I turn round again expect nothing less than your existence to be nothing more than a ugly yet faded stain on the pages of yesterdays news. A talentless tactless silly excuse of a journalist, who will fade into obscurity taking with her any pompous notion that she was in the right.
*Faces Away*
Did you ever think you’d be explaining anything at all about how Twitter works? But now, here you are.
Excellent blog, a great response to Ms Moir’s bleatings.
I was totally disgusted by Jan Moir’s piece but equally as guilty are the editors who approved it for publication. Anyone with half a brain cell could see that this piece was incenderary. While it is clear that the Daily Mail have a pretty negative editorial policy (I have experienced this first hand myself) it is difficult to believe that there was not one person with a shred of decency in the editorial food chain that saw this vile article make it into the publication. Ironically Paul Dacre, the eidtor of the Mail is head of the PCC so I imagine many of our complaints will fall on deaf ears. Total conflict of interests on his part.
Interesting to see on the Mails site today a story having a dig at celebs who twitter. It looks so thrown together not to mention a couple of inaccuracies it can only be a knee jerk response to yesterdays flurry of Tweets attacking them.
Hear hear Derren,…Yesterday had a sad, scared, angry and disgusted vibe all over it, …and the day ended indeed in a sense of restored dignity…let this indeed be a little tribute…
so proud of everyone, and especially a few!
Xx
A day that shows how the internet can be a crusading force for good. Hurrah for you and for Stephen Fry too.
Thank you Derren. I’m not so good with the written word but you, Charlie and Stephen yesterday and today have helped me realise that good always overcomes bad.
After watching Mr Gately’s funeral…he would be proud that us sane people are there to put into place that goodness. These nasty lot HAVE to be stopped and shown up for who they are.
Not that it makes any difference but I’m a straight woman of 40 with one Daughter aged 18…I have bought her up without god but to embrace all regardless of race, ability, gender or sexuality. I’m proud to say she sees all as equal and so do a lot of her friends. Bless you Derren.
Sarah
Well put. I did not see your Tweets yesterday, but I had seen some on the DM from other folks I follow in the UK.
Ms. Moir’s comment about being “orchestrated” really shows her lack of understanding of how social networking, and for that matter news on the internet is spread.
Twitter = Howard Beale from the film Network. Hopefully multinational companies and national media outlets realise now that they can’t spoon feed us perfidy they way they used to.
Beautifully put as always Derren. xx
HURRAH!
Getting a tube worker suspended is a ‘victory’ when there has been no investigation and we have no idea what happened before the recording? It is a fact that the worker lost his temper and acted in an inappropriate way but its also a fact that his target obstructed closing doors of a train despite all the warnings not to (which breaks a by law) and then refused to wait behind the yellow line therebye endangering himself and other passengers.
People who work on the Underground tend to take these things more seriously than the passengers, mainly because we have to deal with the horriffic incidents these actions cause.
I barely even understood Twitter until 2 weeks ago. This week I have seen 3 examples of exactly why it is a good thing – because it allows your voice to be heard.
And Jan Moir needs to understand what a real apology is. Her pathetic excuse for one is almost as shameful as the original article.
Derren, you’re so lovely.
I am glad I came home early yesterday, otherwise I may have missed all this. Thank you for sharing those stories, which I tried to share as much as I could too, as both were simply unacceptable. I’m glad I played my small role, and both those people got what they deserve. 
Thanks again!
And this is why I love the internet. Thank you, Derren. Thank you, all.
I am deeply aroused by your stirring words. I am a Man of few words, but I thank you.
Very well said Mr Brown. x
Howdi there,
The power of the internet is completely uncontrollable.
This reminds me of the instance of Dusty the cat earlier in the year. On A website, reknowned for its questionable content, 4chan, which has access to millions of users a day., A youtube link of a young man, kenny glenn, abusing a cat was posted.
Now this began a flurry of posts from users disgusted at the actons in the video. And by analysing his room, they found his facebook and myspace pages, learnt his address. And now he’s been prosecuted.
Google search kenny glenn or dusty the cat to find the story. I find it amazing how he was caught .
Loved the post D,
SM xx
Voting so far seems to suggest the public at large think Jan Moir is a homophobic bigot. Latest Jan Moir vote results: BIGOT 8.7%, HOMOPHOBE 8.5%, BOTH 79.7%, NEITHER 3.1% – from http://www.votemoir.com
Amazingly put.
Nice to see there are people in the world that care enough to make a difference like this! Very proud!
Great to see twitter has that much impact.
Great blog!
Well said, Derren.
Sadly I don’t think the Mail is feeling the slightest sorry, or has any regrets.
Bravado anyone? http://tinyurl.com/yzeagmn
Publishing this just one day after Moir’s comments is distasteful to say the least, and I’d say certainly not a co-incidence.
Undoubtedly a victory for a more democratic and responsive medium. But there is a danger – from both the Mail response (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220989/Twitter-twits-But-biggest-celebrity-twitterers-internet.html) and from avid twitterers – that the views are seen as being those of the communication channel. It would be like saying that radio offended Andrew Sachs or that newspapers were homophobic.
It is great to know that social networking tools such as Twitter can be used to unite the voices of like-minded individuals across the Internet. I hope that this serves to demonstrate the effectiveness of such techniques and that it gives people who have a) such phobic attitudes and opinions and b) access to mainstream media channels pause before attempting to express them in such an anti-social way again.
The technology of the 21st century can show up the bigoted and short-sighted opinions from the 20th century and before. Well done on helping reason and equality to come to the fore in both of these cases.
I only joined Twitter the day before yesterday, and the events you have described made me realize just how powerful it could be. More than just a social networking site, it is a real and very effective form of democratization.
Your role yesterday deserves admiration. You, and all who worked with you, did so much good.
But is saddening, and more than a little troubling, that Moir’s latest statement shows so little apology for what she has done.
see how simple it is for you to spread words/news? this is popularity, it has a lot of weird effects like the one that very many people believe what you are saying. combined with the twitter-phenomenon this is what happens.
you just write something and it magically appears in the evening news…
Beautifully put, Derren. And ‘beautifully put’ everybody else who filed complaints about that gossiping old crone with the Rod of Arrogance jammed firmly up her arse. Other than being insensitive, homophobic, insulting to the Gately family, and also very poorly written, her article was also based on lies (Stephen Gately was by no means a drug-abusing, heavy-drinking sex-addict, everybody has said so!) Next she’ll be saying that his heart condition was caused by AIDS (I’ve heard someone say that before about a bisexual actor who died in 1995.) Why are stupid people allowed to write???
P.s. Charlie Brooker’s article was excellent!
test
It is intersting that this journalist feels she is the victim of an orchestrated campaign. Did it not occur to her that not all DM “readers” are white middle class heterosexuals?
Would she have made similar insensitive comments against muslims? I think not.
She clearly, as most journo`s do, believed she was in an ivory tower where she was impervious to the consequences of her jaded hackery.
“Are you thinking what she`s thinking?”…..evidently not……..
What cheek How dare Moir claim to be a victim of a campaign. That is exactly what she was trying to start with her barely concealed hatred of gay relationships and this woman spews her bile all over the press. It just confirms my view that newspapers are a criminal waste of trees.
New to Twitter just a week ago, I watched this and the Carter-Ruck thing play out. Astonishing. I very much agree with your sentiments and the phenomenon is certainly enouraging.
well done Derren on both counts
I love you x
“Take That” Daily Mail!
Well put ! It makes you think about the balance of things.X
I totally agree with your comments. This is only the second day of being on twitter. I couldn’t understand why so many thought it was so good. Now I know.
I have often wanted to complain about something ina newspaper, particularly this one, but never knew how. Knowing that a newspaper like DM wouldn’t care what I thought.
I barely knew who Stephen Gately was but the article was appalling. So glad I read it and was able to complain more effectively.
Now the Daily Mail know what it is like to be on the receiving end of a ‘campaign’.
Well done to the folks of twitter I say, and to the excellent Charlie, Derren and Stephen for bringing these events to the attention of so many people. Nobody, whatever their sexuality, deserves the kind of biggoted rubbish that the Daily Mail’s resident witch wrote about Gately, what did he ever do to her?!
I also hope that the Tube man’s investigation was proper, if he did do it then he deserves a suspension, or even sacking, but if on the wild off-chance it was a misrepresentation of some sort (the internet CAN be wrong occasionally) he wasn’t just lynched because of public outcry. One day doesn’t seem like a thorough investigation to me.
Very well said Derren. I couldn’t agree more. x
yeah Nice one Darren. Stephen will be happy that his death served its purpose : to expose low-brow journalism. He was always about that. Good egg!
by the way “And to the astonishing impact of Twitter, and the shared decency of its users.” isn’t a sentence.
THE LITTLE RED GIRL IS YOUR TRIGGER.
‘There’s no justice, just us’ . Twitter has more than proved itself this week, along with blogs and other social media. I think the people have found their voice, and more importantly a way to communicate.
Feels good to be here at the start of a change.
Thank you Derren. x
I totally agree with everything in your blog Derren. Perhaps Twitter and the likes are bringing people power back?
I agree with Steven Northcote,I read the articale and found nothing wrong with it,and i still fail to see the problem!!!!!! As a gay older woman i have seen discrimination first hand,and lived it.So i would be the first to cry’ off with her head’.As for todays so called ‘attack on twitter’ anyone daft enough to follow these z list celebs,is as boring as them………yes i do have a twitter account.
I agree entirely, although my own blog http://bit.ly/3qnaTM cautions the overuse of Twitter. It’s power should be carefully considered before use. As David Colman says above @1.31pm others are always trying to make Twitter posts look trivial; we must make sure we don’t help out!
I did not even waste my time in reading the original Daily Mail article, but thank you to everyone who complained. Why poeple feel the need to dance over people’s graves before they are even cold makes me shudder.
What a wonderfully worded message.
As I said to you on Twitter yesterday Derren (which you probably didn’t see) this sort of thing is giving back ‘power to the people’.
I commend you and everyone associated with these most distasteful of events. Makes me very proud to be a fan.
Take care
LC x
applause was the only sound heard in my home after we finished reading this – enough said. xx <3
Twitter in these cases were virtual pitchforks and burning torches. Burn the witches!
whoa, wonder if anyone’s likely to read this comment so far down the page… but, just for the record…
+1 for wisdom of crowds.
Well said Derren! It’s about time that rag has been put to shame. I really do hope that this is the beginning of the end of that tripe, but t be honest I wouldn’t hold my breath
At first I didn’t really see the attraction of Twitter, and was never too pushed to join…but the justice that has been achieved here just might change my mind
Sit back and bask in the fact that you have played a part in making the world that little bit better. Well done you!
And good show to Charlie Brooker for that magnificent piece of REAL journalism, and Stephen Fry for his part.
Good to know that we can rely on ye to keep some sanity in the world
“a sharp, informed, conscientious public”
The problem is, as always, who is informing the public. “Sharp, informed, and conscientious” reminds me of the sort of statements Mr. Rowland wrote about in that wonderful little Full Facts book of his.
The problem with going with the crowd is that the crowd can be disastrously wrong at times — Look at public elections for an example. Responsible journalism (something of an oxymoron anymore) means looking at all the facts and reporting with as minimal an emotional response as possible. Misinformation spreading “tweets” are not a source of news.
Hear hear.
Well said!
If it wouldn’t have been for your tweets and of course all the other lovely people (well, most of them are lovely…) that follow you, I wouldn’t have been aware of any of those stories. I think twitter is an important tool, and as ‘Lady Claire’ said, it is giving some sort of ‘power to the people,’ which is great. I really do like following you, as sometimes your tweets just make me laugh (you are so full of ’sh..t’ sometimes, which is great; I was up all night finding answers to your ‘cheese tweets’), whereas others make me aware and thinking of things happening around me.
Thanks Derren, have a great day
Well said.
Do you know what’s really tragic in this whole affair? Through it all I found out Derren’s gay (yes, I do live under a rock, thank you very much) I mean, when the heck did that happen!? So much for me picking out a wedding dress and all. Oh well, at least Moir got her comeuppance, small mercy, I guess.
Just Joe you’ve got it totally wrong “No they were defined by being celeb worshiping sheep desperate to try and catch the attention of Fry”. What Moir wrote was reprehensible. And it doesn’t matter how we found out about it. What matters is that people rose to the occasion & called her on it.
Ian is also wrong “Twitter in these cases were virtual pitchforks and burning torches. Burn the witches!” Moir deserved every bit of criticism she received. The internet affords people a chance to find facts before posting. Moir chose not to take advantage of the fact finding tools available. Instead she raked a dead man over the coals. Shame on her.
Fear from outing him? Hm, and now he was married to a guy. Which the press probably reported on as well.
The opposite can be the case as well ofcourse … twitter impact … as it is with humans … It influences in many ways. No area excluded.
Ms or Mr Moir sounded as if she was very sure about it .. I sort of recognized her being pissed with the coroner .. as they do make up lies when it comes to celebreties now and then ..as we know. Not that it really is our business .. It’s all private stuff.
I’m not referring to any particular Tweet, but we do have to be careful that Twitter does not become trial by a jury not equipped with the facts. Just as the Daily Mail sets fire to a corner of the curtains and fans it into a blaze, so too can Twitter. People just press buttons and send and comment and do not have a clue of the facts. I am concerned that Twitter, like the initial stages of fucking X Factor, becomes an arena where the gladiators hack off the heads of the unprepared. We all make comments we wish we could swallow and forget we said. We don’t need our lives ruined by muck spreaders or the Twitter equivalent of the do-gooder.
So, let’s be very careful and use this communication with due care. After all, it’s a piece of consumer crap also!
Be wary of pack mentality. You may be teh one being ripped to shreds at some point. Where will you hide when teh WORLD knows your secrets. Dangerous stuff, though it can be good if used with respect.
I guess I’d better make it clear that I think what was written about SG was shameful though. However, other ‘journalists’ (now cowering) have covered his sudden death with speculative reports.
@jayKay. Your comments sound like a threat, maybe you’re a Daily Mail journalist warning the likes of Derren Brown and Stephen Fry of things to come, who knows. That said, I’ll tell you why people comment on things such as Twitter and the likes, it’s because it’s one of the few places where people can be heard in this country. Politicians, the media, corporations etc. don’t give a crap about the average person any more, they all have their own agendas and people are sick of being ignored. If people want to express themselves then let them. You can disagree with their points if you wish but stop trying to silence one of the few places where people seem capable of making their voices heard.
It just proves that people CAN create a strong fortress together against anything that is morally or indeed just plain inhumane when we do it as one, together. WE CAN CAUSE AN AFFECT!!!!! Yippeeee!
Of course, I meant morally wrong, (doh!)
It was just unkind and cruel.
Derren
Many people will define you by the illusions and mentalism you deploy as entertainment.
A smaller number of people will have read this blog and seen the person behind the showman.
Impressed as I always am with your TV “tricks”, I now hold you in much higher esteem for your quiet representation of right and wrong and your distaste for those in our society who think it is acceptable to attack others who cannot defend themselves.
@Sharon – Me a Daily Mail journalist? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Nope. And you have the totally wrong end or the stick. I am saying we all have to behave with respect on public blogs. I do not like pack mentality. I like to assess before I jump in; know the facts. Of course I can jump in and comment and have done. And then had a proper read of the facts and wished I hadn’t rushed in like a fool. All our fleeting feelings of anger and hate are published along with our beautiful moments – who knows who will dig them up and haunt us with them in future? People deserve the chance to rethink; to repair the possible damage they have caused. Ctnd…
…Ctnd… None of us is perfect. And, as I said, I am not referring to the tweets covered here; I am as disgusted as anyone that a journalist was paid to print that crap. However, I have flown off the handle many a time and I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been irrational and over the top sometimes and if all our little ‘moments’ were up there and in our face to shame us – to the point of having to go into hiding even – then this would be even more of a police state – with us as the police. Now, that works beautifully when it comes to keeping the big bastards in line, but when it comes to the little man, then we need to be more humane.
@Sharon – So, before you ‘accuse’ (I’m sure you were joking), be an investigator yourself and find some of my other posts and you will find more of the jigsaw that makes a human – flaws and all. If nothing else, you being fueled by a surface reading of my post and not a full picture of the facts goes towards proving the point that Twitter and the likes has the potential to be harmful too.
@Carolyn, you get wrong, I am up for some witch-burning. Nothing wrong with mob justice. Apart from when the mob mistakes a paediatrician for a paedophile, that is. That’s a bit harsh.
I haven’t read the article and I wasn’t going to because the only reason I would be reading it was to see what all the fuss was about… which is a poor reason… trying to resist… but the pull is so great.
agree with all positive comments made
interesting to note a fair and unbiased updating of this incident has featured on jan moirs’ and gatelys’ wiki profiles
@Scott Mackenzie – Wonderfully put. I agree wholeheartedly.
LC x
@Sharon – I do sound like the fecking voice of doom though, hahaha! I’ll give you that.
And the government is happy that we use Twitter etc, don’t be blind to that. They will use it to pit us against each other when the time comes. They’re using CCTV etc to encourage us to spy on each other and they already spy on us through Facebook etc. They’re just adjusting the balance on Twitter just now, but it will be put to good use in time. Just keep your eyes wide open to it.
ok quote from john lennon POWER TO THE PEOPLE i understand now not my world to busy thinking like a mum ta
I’ll leave you in peace now. Be good bunnies to each other. There are real people on the other end of your pointy fingered button-pressing. Think twice before you HARSHtag.
In the spirit of the bunny game, read about teh loss of distinctions of reality
http://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/theory/postmodernism/modules/baudlldsimulTnmainframe.html
If I write another teh instead of the, I’ll cry!!!
@JayKay – Funny how the pack can so quickly turn on one individual that doesn’t mimic the behaviour of the majority. All you were doing was encouraging the use of critical thinking and suddenly accusations are flung in your direction! Witch, communist, homosexual, Daily Mail journalist – it all seems so familiar somehow.
Before anyone joins a group to discriminate against a minority, they should consider the fact that one day, they or one of their loved ones are likely to be part of a minority themselves.
“As vast numbers shun print and turn to the net for their news, yesterday sounded an interesting note: an infamous newspaper held to account by a sharp, informed, conscientious public.”
Very well put. The whole post, but that piece especially.
Without reading the previous comments, so apologies if I’m repeating anything.
I read the Moir piece on the Mail online, as I did my usual daily rounds of the online newspapers. I saw no-one elses opinions before I tweeted my disgust and asked if anyone else had read it. I then saw that Jan Moir was trending twice so yes lots of people had also read it and had, had the same reaction as I had. So my reaction wasn’t influenced by anyone nor was a case of bandwagonning as Moir’s statement suggested happened to people yesterday. People do have their owns minds…
@JayKay. Yes, it was a joke about you being a Daily Mail journalist. My other point is why people are turning to social networking sites for comment and news because the ballot box doesn’t seem to count for anything any more. We get the pretence of democracy every few years when we get to vote, not that it seems to hold any politician to their own policies for the next four. Sites like Twitter engage average people, despite some publications trying to demean any one who uses it as some sort of ill-informed nerd. Not all of your comments had been put up when I replied so I apologise if I misread your meaning as you clarify your point later.
Watching the BBC morning news now and someone, giving their opinion on the days newspapers, has said thet he agrees with Moir statement that the backlash against her was ‘organised’ and he also said how ‘powerful the gay lobby is’. I may be wrong but this appears to me that they are inpling that those who complained were mainly within the gay community whereas the way I saw it yesterday was like Derren said ‘her critics were not defined by sexuality’. The ITV news took the same angle last night. This feels very wrong to me.
@Jaykay – Well said. I enjoy reading your posts.
I think Moir was very bashing with her remarks. I thought she implied that gay-partnerships were a joke, she made it sound as if gays were running amuck on thier partners and inviting ANY stranger into thier beds. Moir made remarks about the dead that were completly unfounded, which inturn made her look like the ass she is…THANKS FOR OUTING HER!!
This is as close as we’ll get to a climb down, and while the Mail on Sunday is a very different beast to its daily counterpart, I think a reluctant tip of the hat to Dacre for publishing this. It certainly leaves Moir out on a limb
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/debate/article-1221101/Twitter-scourge-libel-lawyers–new-virtual-conscience.html
@codifier – Exactly. Thank you. It’s human nature though. In the same way, I have no time for sheep and think it’s important that we have the courage of our convictions and don’t hide behind others’ skirts. It takes guts to stand up and say, ‘Hey hold on a minute, this isn’t right…’ and that’s what’s happened here with the Trafigura and SG thing. But there are millions of people who’ve blindly hashtagged in the past few days and haven’t read enough. And, also, we need to offer people the chance to reconsider, apologise, balance their opinions etc and not just string them up from the nearest tree. Hopefully the DM will behave for a bit.
@ Codifier – oops, my post went missing there. Yeh, exactly. We have to BLAND in!
@Carol – I thought that was Wolfy in Citizen Smith?? lol
LC x
Thank you Derren. Very few people would do something about the horrendous attitudes and opinions people have. To have brought this nationwide disgust about Moir’s article to the forefront is a remarkable achievement.
I’m glad i had a public outlet, to voice my horror at such an article. if twitter and social networking didnt exist, i would have been left chunnering under my breath about it and getting angry without anyway of doing something about it.
The comments made by Moir in her article and in her following statement make me sick to my stomach, and i told the PCC this. I will keep my fingers crossed that Moir doesnt get away with this
@JayKay… I do not like pack mentality.
Me neither. As much as Moir’s piece was distastefully homophobic I’m not sure if that or the boil her in oil rhetoric that followed bothers me most….
Colston…
Beautiful….just beautiful.
I don’t pretend to know about stuff like this. The furthest my mind stretches is next Friday before it’s rebuffed by A-Levels and music and… well that’s about it, actually… But I saw this and decided to do a bit of further reading.
But to be honest, I’m compelled to point out how admirable it is that in a time where society leans ever closer to individualism, and accepting that that is the way the world works, end of, that there are people still willing to say what they think, something I’m rarely guilty of, but admire nonetheless.
GB
” As vast numbers shun print and turn to the net for their news, yesterday sounded an interesting note: an infamous newspaper held to account by a sharp, informed, conscientious public”
Get a grip man; even those who do NOT have to use the net for their news could ascertain that the piece in the Mail was so, so wrong. Those that “Tweet” do not have the “sharp informed conscientious public” gig sewn up!
@ sharon @ jackqueenking –
The early morning TV news has just reported on Jan Moir’s article calling it “malicious and damaging”. Naturally, Jan Moir is denying any malicious intention….yeah right..but well done to DB and everyone who made this possible.
The furore about the Moir article was right in my opinion. Whilst some people can either ignore the newspaper, or ignore the apparently homophobic journalist, the truth is that some people do allow this type of sentiment to seep into their thinking. That’s why it’s so dangerous.
My partner is a professional working with young adults who have experienced bullying and abuse as young gay men. In the last decade a great deal has been done to protect religions beliefs and ethnic background but there is precious little that deals with homophobia. The article would not have been published if it had been highlighting religious views.
It seems that everyone is feeling a little bit guilty now and taking a step backward – see Stephen Fry’s comments http://www.stephenfry.com/2009/10/19/poles-politeness-and-politics-in-the-age-of-twitter/
Sign the no 10 Downing Street Petition to make the PCC a Public Body!
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/makePCCPublic/
Following the article in the Daily Mail on Friday 16th October by Jan Moir in relation to the death of Stephen Gately, the PCC received over 21,000 complaints; however the chairman the Code committee for the PCC is currently the editor of the Daily Mail Paul Dacre.
As the formula one boss Max Mosley said when giving evidence to the culture, media and sport committee at the House of Commons “”It’s like putting the mafia in charge of the local police station. You can’t let them regulate themselves.”
The PCC was weakened by preferential treatment to the newspaper industry and it lacked suffic
Perhaps your friend Stephen Fry would care to acknowledge and apologise for his own tripe- blaming the Poles for Auschwitz. Trumps anything the ghastly Daily Fail have come up with. People in glass houses etc.
Stephen Fry is a great man and much more intelligent than a lot of us. Besides, if you read the article more clearly, he very lightly suggested it, he didn’t actually blame the Poles for starting Aushwitz. You are suggesting he directly blamed the Poles, when in actual fact, he said:
“Let’s face it, there has been a history in Poland of right-wing Catholicism, which has been deeply disturbing for those of us who know a little history, and remember which side of the border Auschwitz was on.”
I’m sorry but to me that isn’t physically blaming the Poles for it. Still, your opinion, and everyone’s opinions differ from time to time.
Besides, in Stephen Fry’s favour, his statement was probably in response to the Poles calling homosexuals “fags.” Everyone is entitled to choose their sexuality and just because homosexuality differs from what has been classed as ‘right’ for so long doesn’t mean that they should receive such cruel and demeaning feedback. Anyway, homosexuality has had it’s fair share of criticism and crude remarks in the past and still receives it unjustifiably today. I’d be pretty annoyed if people questionned by sexuality because it differs from what is typically ‘the norm.’ It’s awful people can’t have a same sex relationship without being judged.
A definite win for the sensible majority, hurrah for Twitter!