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Original poster

Another day, another complaint to the Guardian

37 replies

Misiecle · 08/05/2021 09:06

This is the third complaint I've made on trans issues coverage in the last month.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/07/montana-transgender-student-athletes-ban-bill - article states: "Supporters of the sports bills have said that they will ensure the playing field in girls’ sports remains fair. But there is no research suggesting that trans girls have an unfair advantage in school sports."

(Article quotes the 2017 review Sport and Transgender People: A Systematic Review of the Literature Relating to Sport Participation and Competitive Sport Policies pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27699698/)

I've pointed out that there is a lot of research showing just this (quoting the Sex Matters website).

Feeling a bit down about the need to fight. And should I give up the subscription? Or keep it in the hope it gives me a bit of leverage?

OP posts:
IvyTwines2 · 08/05/2021 10:06

There's a good piece (not in the Guardian, obviously) called 'The Truth is Paywalled but the Lies are Free - the Political Economy of Bullshit'. The Guardian has such a large youth readership because it is free, thanks to the support of adult subscribers and, I presume, donors.

That special status ought to mean it is even more careful about honesty and safeguarding when covering subjects attractive to youngsters, especially one that can push teenagers to have drastic surgery which will impact them for the rest of their lives, but it quite evidently is not (take a look at the piece on Hannah the Roblox gamer, 24/4/21). And it disables below-the-line comments under these topics and hounds journalists who dissent from its regressive, misogynistic and dangerous line off the paper itself.

Original poster
Misiecle · 08/05/2021 09:55

@GrownUpBeans

When you cancel your subscription they ask why, so it may be a more effective thing to do anyway.

I just wrote "Suzanne Moore", that was the final straw for me.

Epic reply!
OP posts:
GrownUpBeans · 08/05/2021 09:54

When you cancel your subscription they ask why, so it may be a more effective thing to do anyway.

I just wrote "Suzanne Moore", that was the final straw for me.

stonecat · 08/05/2021 09:53

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Original poster
Misiecle · 08/05/2021 09:48

Yes, good points, and of course this is exactly what I'm struggling with. I'm subscribing to more newsletters and I think that's the way forward. I think I posted this to try to tip me over the edge!
Feel the same way about Woman's Hour tbh - also complained to them about not featuring the Forstater case (I mean, COME ON!) and then realised oh, they don't actually want me to listen, do they?

OP posts:
stonecat · 08/05/2021 09:47

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jakalaka · 08/05/2021 09:36

The Guardian is blatantly not interested in you, or any other woman over the age of 25. Stop supporting something that despises you.

I switched to the Private Eye, which at least still does investigative journalism.

MadameKali · 08/05/2021 09:33

@Misiecle - I get the paying for content thing, I'm with you on that if I access a service I don't expect it for free. My subscription is up at the end of this month and I won't be renewing.

I can no longer support a publication that pushes what I deem to be a harmful narrative. I've been conflicted on this because they do some brilliant investigative journalism and there are still some very good writers at The Guardian but I'm not happy that my cash is contributing in part to the continued employment of the likes of LOJ and his merry band of fuckwits.

I've noticed that these days I read from varied sources and get a far more balanced view on subjects. I consider myself left wing but am feeling more and more that the left don't represent me or the issues that are important to me.

I don't think The Guardian can sustain itself for much longer. I suspect the readers they're courting these days are not used to - and don't appreciate the need for - paying for content.

lanadelgrey · 08/05/2021 09:25

Factually referenced complaints do have an effect. The Guardian/observer is not monolithic as the David Bell interview shows and they run corrections to articles

IvyTwines2 · 08/05/2021 09:19

Yes, why bother? It's become the Daily Mail for students, and American students at that.

Original poster
Misiecle · 08/05/2021 09:15

Because I believe in paying for content. Because if I'm paying I have more of a stake in what they say. Because I like subscribing to a left-leaning newspaper and if not the Guardian - what?

OP posts:
boatyardblues · 08/05/2021 09:09

Why are you still subscribing?