Jeremy Corbyn forced to deny he wants to crack down on press because he’s angry about Labour anti-Semitism scandal
The Labour leader called for radical reform to the free press in a speech in Edinburgh
JEREMY Corbyn today denied he wants to punish the press for exposing Labour's anti-Semitism crisis.
The leftie leader was asked whether his new plans to crack down on the traditional media are a form of revenge.
But he insisted he's not bent on "retribution or retaliation" after newspapers and websites brought his party's links to racists and terrorists to light.
Mr Corbyn today revealed a programme of media reform which includes a state-owned version of Facebook and new taxes on web companies.
He also hit out at independent newspapers saying they were dominated by "elite power" during a speech in Edinburgh.
Asked if the plans were devised because he is angry that the media has "shone a light on anti-Semitism within the Labour party", Mr Corbyn replied: "I simply say this.
"I want us to have a strong and vibrant democracy and I support journalists who want us to have a strong and vibrant democracy.
"This isn't about any retribution or retaliation to anybody.
"I've spent my life fighting racism, I've spent my life opposing any form of racism.
The Sun Says
JEREMY Corbyn’s sole motive in “changing the media” is to silence a hostile Press.
The giveaway was when he attacked broadcasters yesterday for following up Sun stories. “Just because it’s on the front page of The Sun or Mail doesn’t automatically make it news,” he whined.
Could this be because recent front pages have exposed Labour’s racism? That IS news, as page one stories in the two biggest daily papers tend to be.
Britain already has the world’s most vibrant media. Corbyn is feigning some high-minded interest in improving it. But the last thing he wants is it holding a future Labour Government to account.
He detests scrutiny, as his tantrums sparked by tricky questions prove.
As for his plan for a state-run Facebook rival, can you imagine anything more ridiculous or pointless? The Austin Allegro of social media, making gargantuan losses for taxpayers?
And how about his “Netflix levy” to fund the BBC?
Is there no limit to the costs he wants to pile on ordinary people?
"I've spent my life opposing anti-Semitism in any form. And that is exactly what my party is determined to achieve."
In recent months newspapers have exposed the anti-Jewish bigotry spouted by hundreds of Labour activists.
And recently it was the media which revealed that Mr Corbyn had helped lay a wreath at the graves of terrorists who plotted the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
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