As a secondary point, can you point to some examples during this conflict of claims made by Hamas or Palestinian authorities which turned out to be invented or untrue?

That is a healthy skepticism I share. I don't believe a word they say unless backed by credible evidence endorsed by reliable news agencies such as Reuters or by organizations that have to be very careful before they say anything, like the UN. Oh wait...

And on this healthy skepticism, do you apply it with equal caution to IDF press releases? Barbara Amiel, wife of Conrad Black, once said (on the Antifade) that the only information that can be considered reliable were those issued by the IDF press office. My mate worked for the Telegraph at the time and I asked him whether there was pressure on journalists on this. He said (actually whispered) he couldn't answer this from his work phone!

Certainly, I am sceptical about what all governments say, what all pressure groups say and what all political parties say. I'm sceptical of the UN. I'm also sceptical about anything printed in any newspaper, broadcast on any TV or radio outlet. Sceptical about people in High Streets handing out pamphlets, sceptical of posts on football forums, sceptical of what people in general tell me. Sceptical of religious teachings and their adherents, sceptical of the universe springing in existence out of nothing, sceptical of men calling themselves women and women calling themselves men. Sceptical that ASLF train drivers deserve even higher wages, sceptical that the NHS will suddenly become efficient if unlimited funds are provided. Sceptical about practically everything really.

Edited by georgenorman (25 Apr 2024 6.00pm)

Thanks, good to see you back - I'm not so sceptical about your posts as I am about those of some others!

duplicate post. [Why is this website so clunky?]

Edited by georgenorman (25 Apr 2024 5.57pm)