The CSC's Report on the BNP's Online Activity
The Report
The Centre for Social Cohesion has produced a report entitled: ‘The BNP and the Online Fascist Network’. The object of the investigation was to prove that the British National Party has not achieved political legitimacy. Unfortunately missing the point that in a democracy you are legitimate as long as you follow the rules of the democratic system.
The report focuses on pro-BNP YouTube accounts and blogs. The section regarding YouTube concentrates on the ‘friends’ of each user rather than the content of the uploaded videos, and they have a point. These account administrators should not accept friend requests from other users with openly Nazi photos, videos and usernames. In some cases they have allowed dubious users to post comments on their pages that wouldn’t look out of place in the ‘Turner Diaries’.
The report incorrectly describes the channel ‘BNPrenaissance’ as the official BNP YouTube account.
The Blogs that were investigated include; ’21st Century British Nationalism’, Red Squirrel’s Nut Cracking Nationalism’, ‘Covert Undercover Nuisance Tactics’ and the notorious ‘Britain Awake’.
In the case of Lee’s blog, I can’t see a problem. The researchers have singled out his attacks on people in the public eye, it is his personal blog! The investigators seem amused by Red Squirrel’s religious beliefs. I have nothing to say regarding the ‘CUNT-Team’.
As for ‘Britain Awake’, the man behind that blog is either an anti-BNP activist or just plane insane, he has been banned from commenting on the official site and should be treated like a vote losing pariah by other activists. Somebody with his views would be far more comfortable in the National Front. The BNP Chronicle isn’t mentioned once in the 74 page report, and it would have been an ideal candidate with the BNP logo attached. Perhaps a lesson on how a political blog should be run.
Instead of questioning the BNP’s legitimacy, I would question the legitimacy of the whole project. Firstly, the involvement of Edmund Standing, a known anti-BNP blogger at the leftist site ‘Harry’s Place’. Secondly, half the report is based on the ‘friends’ function of YouTube, shall we vet all our site visitors to make sure they have state sanctioned views?
Condemning a whole political party based on the usernames of the ’friends’ of unofficial BNP YouTube accounts and one raving mad, potentially anti-BNP blogger – Give me a break.
You can download the report here.
Edmund Standing is anti-BNP, how can a report be taken seriously when it is written by somebody who has preset views on the subject?
As for Britain Awake, I agree, the guy is either red, or a nutzi.
To be fair, Shelob, everyone had a predilection towards something. For example, following your logic, how can this website be taken seriously if it's " written by somebody who has present views on the subject".
Credibility of an argument should not be measured by the author's bias, but by the logic presented in the argument. Now, I am not supporting Edmund Standing's opinion, I am simply making a point.
Yes Jon, but this site is clearly pro-BNP.
The Author of this report doesn't make it clear that he is a very anti-BNP leftist. This should have been detailed in the biographical information.
Anyhow, it doesn't detract from the fact that the conclusion presented in the document is based on the very tenuous associations between YouTube users, and a 'false flag' blog.
That's exactly my point! The fact that this site is clearly pro-BNP does not necessarily make it less credible.
But, yes you could be right about the fact that the document came up with false conclusions.
the BNP did not gain any seats in Essex but got 10% of votes in one ofthe wards in Witham Essex.
Last Saturday the BNP Returned to Witham. What are you up to.
Are they standing a candidate in Witham Constituency against
Pritti Patel, The Tory candidate.