THEGAYUK

Tag: Media Watch

Read the latest news and analysis of media in the UK and abroad. Browse THEGAYUK’s entire archive on news about the media.

  • Christian dating site just used this iconic Drag Race queen for their adverts – and she didn’t know

    Christian Dating site, ChristianMingle.com just used a famous DragRace star…

    Christian dating site just used this iconic Drag Race queen and she's not happy

    US TV favourite, Kelly Mantle has found herself the star of an online advertising campaign and she had no idea. The dating site, which is primarily targetted at US Christians and boasts that it’s “responsible for more Christian marriages than all other dating sites”, used a stock photo of the TV star, to which she said, “Umm why is ChristianMingle.com using a pic of me in their promo ads??”

    Kelly Mantle appeared in the sixth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race, however, she was an already known TV star before the show having starred in The New Normal, Mike & Molly and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

    ChristianMingle.com is owned by Spark Networks, a dating conglomerate, which owns a number of brands including JDate, BlackSingles, College Love and Adventist Singles.

    THEGAYUK.com reached out to ChristianMingle.com for comment.

     

  • Spotify has removed tracks from known White Supremacists

    Music giant Spotify has removed music from artists known as white supremacists.

    In a statement, a spokeswoman for the world’s biggest streaming service explained that “illegal content or material that favours hatred or incites violence against race, religion, sexuality or the like is not tolerated by us.”

    BRAVO.

    The removal comes on the back of a post by  Digital Music News titled “I Just Found 37 White Supremacist Hate Bands on Spotify.”

    “Spotify takes immediate action to remove any such material as soon as it has been brought to our attention,

    “We are glad to have been alerted to this content — and have already removed many of the bands identified today, whilst urgently reviewing the remainder.” Per Billboard, Spotify is “also reviewing the possibility of blocking this type of content from future music recommendations.”

     

  • A Saudi investor has bought a significant stake in The Independent

    A significant stake has been bought by Saudi Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel, who now owns between 25 and 50 percent of the company.

    A new co-owner of The Independent, which used to produce the Independent Pink / Rainbow List, has been announced as a Saudi investor, Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel, 42,  acquired over a quarter of the company. The deal values the Independent Digital News and Media company at £100 million.

    The Guardian reports that filings with Companies House show that Abuljadayel is based in Saudi and has no other business interests in the UK. The Independent itself released a statement which said that Abuljadayel is a “minority shareholder”.

    The move could prove to be controversial with its journalists, who are known for their liberalism and criticism of countries where there are known human rights issues.

    A spokesperson said Sultan Mohamed Abuljadayel’s investment would, “secure further strategic growth” for the news outlet, Last year the outlet became the first national newspaper to turn digital-only.

    “At the same time, the editorial independence of The Independent has been formally protected by a new agreement between the shareholders,”

    “The new investment and the guarantee of editorial independence will allow The Independent to flourish into the future.”

    Editor Christian Broughton said the outlet, “would remain truly independent of any shareholders or business interests”, adding that the title’s reporting on Saudi Arabia would not be affected by the deal.

    Other shareholders in Independent Digital News and Media include company directors Evgeny Lebedev and Justin Byam Shaw.

     

     

     

     

  • THEGAYUK moves to make website more secure with encrypted connection

    THEGAYUK has become the first LGBT+ outlet in the UK to move its entire website to a secure and encrypted connection.

    © belchonock Depositphotos

    Following in the footsteps of some of the UK’s largest news outlets THEGAYUK has followed “best practice” by moving its entire site from an HTTP to an HTTPS connection. This means that content served on THEGAYUK.com is now encrypted, by default.

    The move is just one of a series of improvements made to THEGAYUK.com since it’s inception in 2012. The process of moving from its original site started in February 2016 and has taken over a year of hard work to complete.

    THEGAYUK’s editor in chief, Jake Hook said,

    “It is really important for us that users of our services including the shop, chat services and our news site feel safe whilst using it. We’ve still got more improvement to announce, but I’m pleased that we’re the UK’s first LGBT outlet to secure our connection, ensuring our users’ experience of the site is encrypted and their privacy protected

    We’re very proud to bring our users and readers and safer browsing experience”.

    You can tell which sites use SSL technology when you visit them by looking at the URL bar. It should show the URL as a https:// and if you’re using a Chrome browser the word “secure” will appear.

     

     

     

     

  • Milo reckons he has $12 million investment for new media venture

    Milo Yiannopoulos has revealed that he raised $12 million (£9.2 million) in investment for a new media business.

    The outspoken commentator Milo Yiannopoulos has revealed that he’s managed to secure over £9 million in investment for a new media venture, which will include books, tours and TV shows.

    In a statement released on Instagram, the former Breitbart writer said that he had formed a new media company, called MILO inc, and said that the venture had attracted $12 million in investment. The funding has come from undisclosed investors.

    The new company will employ 30 people including a “seasoned media exec” who will lead the company from its Miami base.

    Speaking about the venture, Milo said,

    “This isn’t some vanity nameplate on a personal blog. This is a fully tooled-up talent factory and management company dedicated to the destruction of political correctness and the progressive left.

    “I will spend every waking moment of the rest of my life making the lives of journalists, professors, politicians, feminists, Black Lives Matter activists and other professional victims a living hell.

    “Free speech is back — and it is fabulous.”

    Earlier in the year, Milo was at the centre of a controversy when a video emerged of him allegedly talking about men having sex with underage boys. The following fallout saw the writer resigning from Breitbart and his book deal with Simon Schuster fell through.

    Speaking at the time he said,

    “I do not advocate for illegal behavior. I explicitly say on the tapes that I think the current age of consent is ‘about right’.”

    “I do not believe sex with 13-year-olds is okay. When I mentioned the number 13, I was talking about the age I lost my own virginity.

    “I shouldn’t have used the word “boy” — which gay men often do to describe young men of consenting age — instead of “young man.” That was an error.”

    A short while he stated that he thought, after a few months that the controversy would be a “distant memory”.

    Another publisher is reportedly ready to publish his book, Dangerous.

     

     

     

  • OPINION | When will the mainstream media ask Theresa May if she thinks gay sex is a sin?

    Yesterday the media was awash with gay sex. In fact, I’ve never heard so much said about gay sex by the UK’s media (well not since Queer As Folk in 1999).

     

    Tim Farron has had a weekend of it.

    Probably never in the history of the world has one straight-identified man had to think about the sex that goes on between two people of the same sex than Tim Farron after the endless barrage of questioning, from the media, on the sinfulness of gay sex.

    And as though Farron is the authority of sin anyway and his say is final.

    Over the weekend, one interviewer asked him, it seems proudly, 11 times in an interview to clarify whether he actually thought “gay sex” was a sin, the interviewer even brought up Leviticus, shellfish (Tim’s a Vegetarian) and mixed fabrics.

    Listening to the questioning, exactly what do they mean when they say “gay sex”? Do they mean anal? Because actually isn’t the question then: do you think anal sex is sinful – because guess what heterosexuals have anal sex too.

    What does the mainstream media mean when they say “gay sex”? Do they mean anal? Because actually isn’t the question then: do you think anal sex is sinful? Because guess what, heterosexuals have anal sex too.

    Channel 4’s Cathy Newman asked him four times, Preston on Sunday morning (on a Sunday morning of all times) also asked him…

    Don’t we have an answer? He spelt it out loud and proud in Parliment no less. “I do not” he answered with conviction.

    He doesn’t think being gay is a sin. With “gay sex” being part of being gay doesn’t that technically answer it?

    Aren’t there more pressing questions of Farron that should be asked?

    The mainstream media’s fascination with this line of question is mindboggling. I also had no idea that the mainstream media could talk and question, at length, with authority, on this subject.

    When it comes to other matters concerning the LGBT community more often than not, it’s all quiet. For instance, how long did it take for the Chechnya gay detention, torture and killing story to break through? Some parts of the media haven’t even yet reported on it.

    Well, I’ll tell you what I want, the same media now needs to ask the same questions to Theresa May. She’s a committed Christian, just like Farron. She’s also used her Christianity to justify decisions more openly than any other politician has done of late. So shouldn’t we be asking her what she thinks of a bit of bum fun?

    I think that questions about her decisions on LGBT equality prior to 2004 should be probed.

    Whilst Farron’s record on voting on LGBT rights is good, granted not perfect, his party’s stance is exceptional. If you want to read Lord Paddick’s explanation on Farron’s abstention of same-sex marriage 3rd reading click here)

    Ms May’s not so much and as for the Tories, well, history speaks for itself.

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

     

  • Simon and Schuster cancel Milo’s book

    Book publisher Simon and Schuster have dropped Milo Yiannopoulos forthcoming book, Dangerous after a huge online protest.

    Milo Yiannopoulos

    Taking to his Facebook account yesterday, controversial right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos confirmed that the publisher of his book, an imprint of Simon And Schuster, has dropped it. It reportedly paid him $250,000 for the rights to his book.

    The decision was made after comments over child abuse caused outrage online.

    A statement from the publisher said, “After careful consideration, Simon & Schuster and its Threshold Editions imprint have cancelled publication of Dangerous by Milo Yiannopoulos.”

    ALSO READ:

     

    The book was due to be released in June after been pushed back from a March drop date and had topped the Amazon book chart after its release was announced.

    There was outrage online after Milo seemingly endorsed sex between “younger boys” and older men, which he made during an online live stream interview. The interview was edited and distributed on Twitter and YouTube.

    According to The Guardian Milo said the age of consent was “not this black and white thing” and that relationships “between younger boys and older men … can be hugely positive experiences”.

    In another video, which is available to see on YouTube, Milo said that at the age of 14 he was the predator and “aggressively seeking out sexual company of adults” to have “power” over them.

    Milo took to his Facebook to say he was disgusted by the video and that he was a “child abuse victim” and that he is “horrified by paedophilia”. He made the claim that videos of him were edited “deceptively”.

    He wrote,

    “I’m partly to blame.

    “My own experiences as a victim led me to believe I could say anything I wanted to on this subject, no matter how outrageous.

    “But I understand that my usual blend of British sarcasm, provocation and gallows humor might have come across as flippancy, a lack of care for other victims or, worse, “advocacy.” I deeply regret that. People deal with things from their past in different ways.”

    He told his fans that he was “implacably opposed” to the normalisation of paedophilia and would continue to speak out against it.

     

     

  • Evening Standard appoints its first LGBT+ correspondent

    Evening Standard appoints its first LGBT+ correspondent

    The Evening Standard has appointed its very first LGBT+ Correspondent.

    London Evening Standard
    CREDIT: By Philafrenzy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
    One of London’s most read news outlets, The Evening Standard has appointed its first LGBT+ correspondent, Amy Ashenden, who is also the outlet’s online Assistant Video Editor. The writer is also the editor of The Gay Word, a documentary about the evolution of the word “gay” asking the question, “Is it homophobic or has language evolved?”

    Amy Ashenden
    CREDIT: Amy Ashenden/Twitter

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com Amy spoke how important the new role way for the LGBT+ community saying,

    “I feel it’s an important role because London has a huge queer community.

    “There’s so much happening here and being queer myself, I’ve always been keen to make sure LGBTQ voices are heard and that all of London is represented. LGBTQ content is something I’ve been doing a lot of ever since I started at the Standard and I’m delighted the new title will formally recognise that”

    Having an LGBT+ correspondent is very rare for mainstream media and Amy suggests that it’s a great way of making content inclusive, representative and a brillaint way to bring more diversity across the media,

    Amy continued,

    “I think having a LGBTQ Correspondent is a great way of making content inclusive and more relevant to wider audiences. There is a lack of diverse content across many media outlets, and being fair, representative and inclusive is something I think all journalism should strive to be”

    “I am very proud to be the Evening Standard’s first ever LGBTQ Correspondent and it goes to show you should never shy away from telling stories you feel passionate about. If there’s something LGBTQ happening, particularly in London, please get in touch! I’m always keeping an eye out for stories”.

    You can read Amy’s articles here

  • Daily Mail just got banned as a source by Wikipedia

    Well we’re sure this won’t go down well with the Daily Mail, but Wikipedia has apparently banned anyone from using the paper or website as a source.

    PUBLIC ANGER: A vigil outside the Daily Mail offices in 2013 after the death of trans teacher, Lucy Meadows.

    Wikipedia has marked The Daily Mail as an “unreliable” source for stories and has banned its thousands of volunteer contributors from using the paper or the Mail Online as a source for facts after its volunteers decided that the 120-year-old newspaper was “unreliable” and that other sources should be cited. The editorial department of the world’s biggest online encyclopaedia have decreed that all references from the paper should be scrubbed and replaced by other sources. The Mail Online is one of the world’s most successful newspaper websites.

    In a statement, the editors wrote,

     “Based on the requests for comments section [on the reliable sources noticeboard], volunteer editors on English Wikipedia have come to a consensus that the Daily Mail is ‘generally unreliable and its use as a reference is to be generally prohibited, especially when other more reliable sources exist’.

    “This means that the Daily Mail will generally not be referenced as a ‘reliable source’ on English Wikipedia, and volunteer editors are encouraged to change existing citations to the Daily Mail to another source deemed reliable by the community. This is consistent with how Wikipedia editors evaluate and use media outlets in general – with common sense and caution.”

    It did, however, note that historically the DM had been noted as a reliable source, saying,

     

    The Daily Mail may have been more reliable historically, and it could make sense to cite it as a primary source if it is the subject of discussion. These seem to be good points, but should come up very rarely. Editors are encouraged to discuss with each other and apply common sense in these cases.

     

    Wikipedia went online in 2001 and was created by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. It has become one of the world’s most popular websites. It works by allowing anyone to make edits. This can sometimes lead to false entries or vandalism of pages. It is policed by thousands of volunteers who regularly delete and reedit deliberate and accidental errors.

  • How did Buzzfeed react to being called “failing pile of crap”

    How did Buzzfeed react to being called “failing pile of crap”

    1. So unless you were just under a rock, President-elect, Donald Trump just held a press conference in New York.

    Donald Trump just held a press conference in New York and didn’t hold back in telling news outlet Buzzfeed and CNN what he thought of them. In answering a question about an “unsubstantiated” report, according to the Guardian, he called Buzzfeed a failing company and that they were a “failing pile of garbage”

    So you might think they’d be upset by that – but according to Tracy Clayton, co-host of Buzzfeed’s Another Round, she said the “entire newsroom broke out in laughter”.

    She went on to question what was humanity, if not a failing pile of garbage.

     

  • Australian newspaper prints cartoon which compares gay people to the Nazis

    An Australian newspaper has caused outrage after it published a cartoon by controversial right-wing cartoonist Bill Leak depicting a rainbow coloured Nazi army.

    The Australian newspaper has caused widespread offend today after it published an illustration by the controversial right-wing cartoonist Bill Leak. The picture features rainbow suited Nazi troopers, with the caption Waffen-SSM which seems to link same-sex marriage to the Nazi’s military Waffen-SS wing.

    The Australian is owned by media mogul Murdoch.

    Australia is currently debating whether same-sex marriage should be made legal. The Government is planning to hold a public referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage,

    The picture has been found particularly offensive because the Nazi’s were known to have arrested 50,000 gay men and executed 15,000 of them during their time in power.