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Tag: Owen Jones

All the latest breaking news on Owen Jones. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Owen Jones.

  • Here’s Owen Jones’ challenge to right-wing media after the Guardian cut his YouTube channel

    Here’s Owen Jones’ challenge to right-wing media after the Guardian cut his YouTube channel

    One of the UK’s most known LGBT+ journalists, Owen Jones, is set to open his own media platform, that won’t be funded by corporations or billionaires, but by its subscribers. He hopes it will become a viable challenge to right-wing media and the “broken media landscape”.

    On a video posted to social media, Jones said that the questions, the debates and the path that the channel would ultimately follow would be decided by its viewers.

    Channel cut by The Guardian

    The move comes after Jones said that his YouTube channel which had attracted hundreds of thousands of subscribers and millions of views had been “cut” by the Guardian, the news outlet which Jones currently works for.

    It’s unclear whether Jones will be moving on from his post at The Guardian or will be working on the media channel during his down time, although he did suggest there would be a Sunday show as well as documentary films.

    As of publishing this article, his Patreon account has 1357 patrons, which at a minimum means Jones has managed to raise at least £4,071 towards his goal.

  • Owen Jones calls the Natural History Museum to cancel Saudi Embassy event

    In a tweet, Owen Jones has called upon the Natural History Museum to cancel an event hosted by the Saudi Embassy.

    (C) National History Musemn

    According to Guardian Journalist, Owen Jones, the Saudi Embassy is to hold an event at the Natural History Museum tonight. He called upon the museum to cancel the event saying, “The Saudi dictatorship is massacring thousands in Yemen and is currently accused of kidnapping and murdering a journalist.”

    Saudi Arabia is also one of the countries where being gay can still attract the death penalty for those found guilty.

    The Natural History Museum, which sees 5.2 million people pass through its doors every year, is often used to host charity and gala events in its iconic building in London.

    Amnesty International notes,

    “Women and girls continued to face discrimination in law and practice, despite the government’s promised reforms. Women were required to have permission from a male guardian – their father, husband, brother or son – to enrol in higher education, seek employment, travel or marry. They also remained inadequately protected against sexual and other forms of violence”

    “Courts continued to impose death sentences for a range of crimes, including drug offences or for conduct that under international standards should not be criminalized, such as “sorcery” and “adultery”. Many defendants were sentenced to death after unfair trials by courts that convicted them without adequately investigating allegations of coerced “confessions”, including under torture.”

    Commercial events bring an “important source of external funding”

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com a spokesperson for the museum said,

    “The Natural History Museum was booked by the Saudi embassy over two months ago as a venue for an external event to celebrate Saudi Arabia Day. No Museum staff are attending as guests or speaking at the event.

    “Enabling commercial events to take place outside of public opening hours in our iconic spaces brings the Museum an important source of external funding, which allows us to maintain our position as a world class scientific research centre and visitor attraction. We hold a wide variety of commercial events and it is made clear to any host that doing so is not an endorsement of their product, service or views.

    “We have an Ethics Policy and a Third Party Engagement Policy. These policies are publicly available on the Museum’s website.”

  • Owen Jones is encouraging advertisers to drop this radio station

    Owen Jones is encouraging advertisers to drop this radio station

    “The far-right is being normalised by the media”

    Owen Jones
    CREDIT: By Miquel Garcia [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
    Guardian columnist Owen Jones is urging advertisers to drop the Global radio station, LBC, after suggesting that the outlet is “normalising” the far-right. His campaign started after former UKIP leader, Nigel Farage, who has his own daily show on the station, interviewed former Breitbart co-founder and Donald Trump advisor, Steve Bannon.

    Taking to Twitter Jones wrote, “The threat of the far-right is growing. If fascists like Steve Bannon can be interviewed by his friend on national radio and call for right-wing uprisings and we do nothing – then calamity awaits”

    “LBC are legitimising and making mainstream right-wing extremism and fascism, at a time when the far-right is on the march and poses a grave threat to this whole country.

    “And major companies are absolutely directly complicit in it and they have to be held to account”.

    Natwest, McDonald’s, British Gas et al

    The left-wing writer reached out to a number of advertisers, including NatWest, McDonald’s, British Gas and TK Maxx who currently advertise on the station.

    Jones, using Twitter, wrote,
    “…do you want your brand to be associated with right wing extremism? Stop advertising on @Global Radio which gives Nigel Farage his own show”.

    Natwest, who is also a sponsor of the British LGBT Awards and Gay Star News‘s Digital Pride, said that it had no plans to change its advertising strategy.

    In a statement, Natwest said, “We have no current plans to change our advertising strategy, but we will continue to take steps to ensure our advertising doesn’t appear alongside content which is obscene, illegal, or at odds with our values”.

    Jones’ campaign was met with both praise and criticism with some following his example and writing to the advertisers in question asking them to stop sponsoring LBC‘s output. Some, however, criticised the writer for clamping down on free speech.

    Last year Owen Jones fronted a boycott campaign to rid the station of one of its most controversial presenters, Katie Hopkins. Shortly after Hopkins and LBC came to an agreement for her to leave the station. Jones was given a guest presenting spot.

    LBC is a national radio station which encourages listeners to call in and air their views. It has a broad panel of presenters from all sides of the political spectrum. Subjects regularly discussed on the station include, Brexit, Donald Trump as well as gender and identity politics.

  • THEGAYUK’s Influential Tweeters of the year 2017

    Welcome to THEGAYUK’s first annual Influential Tweeter of the year.

    This list represents THEGAYUK.com’s most influential tweeters in the UK. Just a selection of people who got conversations flowing in 2017. Some of our Tweeters of the year courted controversy and through their actions, they actually galvanised the community, which is why they were chosen. Others on the list used their platform to seek justice for their cause. Some are just too funny not to give a special mention. It’s fair to say that without them, Twitter wouldn’t be as entertaining, insightful, infuriating or indeed, influential.

    In no particular order:

    Marcus Collins – Singer

    One of the funniest tweeters and Instagrammers in the UK. There is not a gif or meme that Marcus doesn’t know about. If you’re ever feeling low and need a lift, visit Marcus’s accounts for an instant mood lift. Follow here

    Monroe Bergdorf – Trans and race activist and former L’Oreal model

    Starting out relatively unknown at the beginning of 2017, Monroe became a household name and one of the most talked about people in the UK thanks to being outspoken on the issue of race in 2017. Earlier this year, her comments on racism found her ousted as a model by L’Oreal, which led to a backlash against the cosmetic giant. Her dismissal didn’t stop Monroe from making a bigger platform for herself and the causes she believes in. Since then she has gone on to pen various articles on being trans and non-white in the UK. Follow here.

    Dylan Jones – Editor of QX Magazine

    Brilliantly insightful. Dylan is the editor of the weekly gay listings magazine, QX. Charged with ensuring that QX hits the streets of Soho every week, on time, Dylan has overseen some incredible, diverse covers for a magazine, which has 52 of them to create each year. For insight into the nightlife of London or generally being an out there kind-of-guy give Dylan a follow. Follow here

    Piers Morgan – Good Morning Britain presenter

    Whether you agree with his comments or not, Piers has certainly raised awareness about gender fluidity and non-binary people this year. He has devoted countless segments on Good Morning Britain to invite people who identify as non-binary, transgender or genderfluid to question their lives and how they identify. His response though has always been met with condemnation from many in the LGBT+ community. Follow here

     

    Ryan Butcher – Former Gay Times Deputy Editor

    He has ‘An infuriated gay man” written in his profile and for many, he is just that, but it cannot be denied that Ryan cares deeply about social issues facing the LGBT+ community. After leaving Gay Times in 2017 in a huge shake-up at the magazine, Ryan simply tweeted, this:

    Which makes him a class act. Follow Here

    Owen Jones – Guardian journalist

    When Owen Jones tweets, people listen, even turning out in their droves. Although it has to be said that he receives a lot of hate for his efforts and took a leave of absence from Twitter after he was sent torture and death threats. Look out for rebel rousing from Owen when President Trump comes to the UK in 2018. Follow here

    Dean Eastmond – LGBT+ Advocate for those living with cancer

    Before his death, Dean launched Hiskind Magazine and was an incredible voice for LGBT+ people living with, getting treatment for and survivors of cancer. Tragically he passed away in September 2017. However, his magazine went on to release another issue and his hope lives on in his Twitter feed. Follow here

    Jack Monroe, Writer and activist

    Jack sued Katie Hopkins this year and won. The food writer has had a rollercoaster of a year, successfully winning a libel case against Hopkins and then running in the General Election as a candidate for the National Health Action party. Jack ran on a pledge to stand up for “Healthcare. Services for people with disabilities. Living standards. Jobs. Decent homes.” Jack quit the campaign trail after death threats were sent to the writer’s home. Follow here

    Martyn Hett, the world’s biggest Coronation Street fan

    Our second posthumous recognition is for Martyn Hett, whose death in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack made us all take a closer look at how we choose to live our lives. His name trended on Twitter days after the bombings as he was recognised as an incredible engine for change and an inspiration on how to live life to the fullest. He was recently remembered again on the platform for what would have been his 30th birthday. Follow here

    Christine Burns MBE, activist 

    Christine is a political activist who was awarded an MBE in 2005 for her work representing the transgender community. Christine is also known being the former vice president for the Press For Change campaign, which focusses on the rights and treatment of trans people in the UK. Follow here

    It is important to note that our decision to make someone an Influential Tweeter doesn’t and should suggest that they are necessarily an ally to the LGBT+ community in the UK. It is our belief that those who create space for conversations surrounding LGBT+ issues, who have huge audiences are influencers. 

  • Owen Jones “absolutely gloating” over Katie Hopkins LBC departure

    Owen Jones has confirmed that he is celebrating that LBC and Katie Hopkins have parted company.

    What does Owen Jones think about Katie Hopkins
    Owen Jones celebrates the departure of Katie Hopkins from radio station LBC

    Following the news that Katie Hopkins will no longer be on the presenting roster of radio station LBC, Owen Jones that has made it clear that he’s “absolutely gloating over Katie Hopkins’ sacking”.

    Katie Hopkins has not yet spoken about her removal from service and it has not been confirmed that Ms Hopkins has been fired or sacked.

    The move to remove Hopkins from the LBC schedule follows on from a boycott call from Guardian writer, Owen Jones, who suggested that guests who contribute to the station should withdraw their services until the station removed Hopkins from its roster of presenters.

    Following the suicide bombing in Manchester on Monday, Katie Hopkins sent a series of tweets from her Twitter account, after a number of terror-related incidents were reported after the fatal attack on Manchester Arena. In one tweet she questioned whether it was “Ramadan” and called upon “Western men” to “stand up, demand action” and not to carry on as normal.

    Taking to Twitter Mr Jones said, “we stood against hatred, and, this time, we won”.

    He added that no one should try and say that the departure of Ms Hopkins should be seen as an “attack on free speech” as Ms Hopkins could “keep freely spouting her hatred, and tragically will”,

     

     

     

     

  • Katie Hopkins leaves LBC with immediate effect

    Katie Hopkins and the radio station LBC have parted company.

    LBC and Katie Hopkins part ways
    LBC and Katie Hopkins part ways. The departure was announced by LBC via Twitter

    “Effective Immediately” reads a Tweet from LBC’s official account as the station announces that controversial host, Katie Hopkins will no longer work for the station.

    The move follows on from a boycott call from Guardian writer, Owen Jones, who suggested that guests who contribute to the station should withdraw their services until the station removed Hopkins from its roster of presenters.

    Following the suicide bombing in Manchester on Monday, Katie Hopkins sent a series of tweets from her Twitter account, after a number of terror-related incidents were reported after the fatal attack on Manchester Arena. In one tweet she questioned whether it was “Ramadan” yet and called upon “Western men” to “stand up, demand action” and not to carry on as normal.

    She went on to say that she accepted the criticism levelled against her and called her critics “eunuchs”. She tweeted,

    “This is your response to slaughter 1) attack hopkins 2) say you stand united 3) celebrate diversity”

    Taking to Twitter Mr Jones said, “we stood against hatred, and, this time, we won”.

    He added that no one should try and say that the departure of Ms Hopkins should be seen as an “attack on free speech” as Ms Hopkins could “can keep freely spouting her hatred, and tragically will”,

     

    Ms Hopkins has not responded and THEGAYUK reached out to her for comment.

     

  • Owen Jones calls for LBC to sack Katie Hopkins following “true solution” tweet

    Guardian columnist Owen Jones has called upon LBC to sack Katie Hopkins following a series of tweets.

    Owen Jones has joined the thousands of people who are complaining about a series of tweets that LBC presenter Katie Hopkins published on Twitter following the suicide bombing at Manchester Arena.

    He said that interview guest should boycott the radio station until its management sack her.

    He tweeted,
    “LBC depends on guests to function. Until they sack Katie Hopkins we should all boycott all interview requests. Enough is enough.”

    He continued by saying that LBC was “employing someone who calls for genocide” and that just ignoring her wasn’t enough.

     

    Katie Hopkins sent a series of tweets after a number of terror-related incidents that have happened since the fatal attack on Manchester Arena. She questioned whether it was “Ramadan” yet and called upon “Western men” to “stand up, demand action” and not to carry on as normal.

    She went on to say that she accepted the criticism levelled against her and called her critics “eunuchs”. She tweeted,

    “This is your response to slaughter 1) attack hopkins 2) say you stand united 3) celebrate diversity”

     

  • Owen Jones quits social media after torture and death threats

    Out Guardian journalist Owen Jones has quit social media, after threats of torture and murder.

    Owen Jones
    CREDIT: By Miquel Garcia [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
    Left-wing commentator and Guardian journalist Owen Jones has quit social media following death threats. He told his 252,000 followers on Facebook that he taking time away from social media except to post articles, videos and events. Owen Jones was instrumental in bringing the anti-Trump protests to London earlier in the year.

    He told his fans,

    “I find myself constantly engaging with people denouncing my motives while sending abuse. And my friends ask: What are you doing? Why are you wasting your life on this nonsense? And they’re just right.

    “Added with the usual far-right extremists sending ever more creative descriptions of how they’re going to torture and murder me, I’m no longer convinced social media is as useful a tool for political debate and discussion as it once was.”

    Owen revealed that his harshest critics were “frothing keyboard warriors” and that he didn’t think that social media was a “useful a tool for political debate”.

    It hasn’t been revealed whether Owen has reported threats to the police.

  • Owen Jones calls for an “emergency protest” against Trump

    Owen Jones calls for an “emergency protest” against Trump

    Owen Jones has taken to social media to call for an “emergency protest” against President Trump’s ban on entry into the US for people from seven Muslim-majority countries around the world.

    Owen Jones
    CREDIT: By Miquel Garcia [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
    Left-wing political activist and columnist for The Guardian, Owen Jones has called on his fans to join him in protesting President Trump‘s ban on entry to the US for people from seven Muslim-majority countries, which some on social media are calling #MuslimBan. Owen is also protesting against the British Prime Minister Theresa May and her “silence” with regards to the policy.

    Reaching out to his 525,000 fans on Twitter Owen called for an “Emergency protest against Trump’s and ‘s silence, this Monday”.

    He is urging supporters to gather outside 10 Downing Street from 6:00 PM. So far 10,000 people on Facebook have said that they are going.

    The controversial policy was announced by the Trump administration on Friday, 27th January. The 90-day ban applies to travellers who are citizens from seven countries including, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Libya.

    The ban does not include travellers who have already got a green card.

    Nearly 500,000 people have signed a petition calling on the UK Government to prevent Donald Trump from making a state visit to the United Kingdom. The petition will be considered for debate in Parliament and will get an official response from the Government.