The Sun has admitted that its claim that Just Stop Oil supporter Roger Hallam lives in a “£3000 per month” flat was a flat-out lie. It has agreed to publish a correction, that it’s actually a £250 per week flat. [1][2]
The details of someone’s living arrangements seem trivial when set against the threat we face from climate heating, but it’s worth asking “Why would the Sun risk contempt of court proceedings by publishing obvious lies about someone facing criminal charges?”
Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the Sun (and countless other titles through News Corp) sits on the Board of Genie Oil & Gas. He has for decades used his media empire to deceive the public about the threat from climate breakdown. His own son, James Murdoch, left News Corp, giving as his reason the continuing misinformation about climate.
When Sir David King was the Government’s special representative on climate change in the run up to the Paris Agreement in 2015, he wanted to publicise a report that would have revealed to the public the extreme danger from climate breakdown. But he was blocked from doing so by a special adviser at 10 Downing Street, who didn’t want to upset Rupert Murdoch.
The Sun wants you to believe that Roger Hallam is living the life of Riley, because people who work to expose the extreme danger we face are a direct threat to Rupert Murdoch’s business interests. It’s classic divide and rule. That’s why the Sun lied about Roger Hallam. That’s why it monsters and misrepresents the young people, mothers, grandmothers, builders, engineers and doctors, the everyday people of this country who are working to protect our rights and freedoms.
Now Roger Hallam and many supporters of Just Stop Oil are in prison, the Sun keeps on lying, the Government is licensing more oil and gas, contrary to all the scientific and expert advice and we will all pay the price.
That’s why those who support Just Stop Oil will continue to work in civil resistance, for those they love, for those you love.
ENDS
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Notes to Editors
[1] Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to demand that the government immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK. Just Stop Oil is a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects. Climate Emergency Fund is Just Stop Oil’s primary funder for recruitment, training, and capacity building.
[2] “This article, now amended, originally stated that Roger Hallam and his girlfriend live in a ‘£3,000 a month’ flat. The property’s owner has informed us that the flat is in fact rented for £250 per week.” https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/20354737/eco-mob-just-stop-oil-roger-hallam-lover/
