The Norwegian News Agency NTB’s article with the headline “Far-right extremists and Palestine activists demonstrated in London” was published and republished by several major Norwegian newspapers, among them Bergens Tidende, Aftenposten, Vårt Land, and Adresseavisen.

Tens of thousands of patriotic Britons from all walks of life marched peacefully for their country. They are labelled “far-right extremists”, while the often violent and hateful pro-Palestinian demonstrators are given the neutral designation “Palestine activists”.

This is an incredibly misleading and unfair headline, and a direct insult to our British friends. But it did not go unnoticed among Norwegians. When Bergens Tidende posted the NTB article on Facebook, more than 300 comments appeared. Only one of them supported the message with the words “Free Palestine”.

All the others strongly criticised Bergens Tidende. Lillian was one of them:

An absolutely insane use of the term far-right extremist! It only shows how lacking in nuance politics and journalism have become! To call several hundred thousand Britons marching peacefully, side by side with all kinds of Britons – where they are fighting for their culture and their country – far-right extremists is completely insane.

Eirik writes, among other things:

“Far-right extremists” is deliberately being used to blacken the event for all those who have not familiarised themselves with what is actually happening. It is an attempt to change people’s perception of activism that opposes the accepted agenda …

I read every single comment, and I cannot remember seeing a comments section on this subject where everyone was so unanimous. Birgit writes: “Fantastic comments section. Are you in step with the public, Bergens Tidende?”

What is also striking is that although many used strong words, none were directly hateful, racist, or threatening. Ordinary sensible people are simply tired of this intrusive and obvious propaganda.

The media houses around the country must surely know that they are losing their audience, but it simply seems as though they do not care. When readers react so collectively, it ought to be a powerful warning to the editorial offices.

Far-right extremists fill Brann Stadium to capacity

Below are some of the comments. These are thoughts we all recognise when we see such blatant propaganda from traditional media that are supposedly meant to inform us.

I will contact NTB and the respective media outlets that used the headline, including Bergens Tidende, and ask them the following questions:

Why did NTB choose to label tens of thousands of British demonstrators as “far-right extremists”, while the other group was merely given the neutral designation “Palestine activists”?

Why did you choose to use NTB’s headline and one-sided framing?

The article received more than 300 comments on Bergens Tidende’s Facebook page. Only one supported the message with “Free Palestine”, while the rest were highly critical. What is your reaction to this massive reader response?

Here are some of the comments. Frank makes a good point. Imagine a completely full Brann Stadium with “far-right extremist” Norwegians.

Frank: How on earth can an editor approve such a headline? Then it becomes equally important to snap a photograph from Brann Stadium and fire off “Far-right extremists fill stadium to capacity”. A newspaper’s job is to report truth from society, not to deliver far-left propaganda decorated with Europris effects.

Jan Kenneth: The media, together with the far-left extremists, have moved the boundary of far-right extremism so that it now includes everyone except themselves! These are ordinary people standing up for their country.

May Bente: Far-right extremists? What on earth, BT?! Britons pushed to breaking point. Britons who simply want to live normal lives in peace and quiet. Completely ordinary people who are fed up with INCOMPETENT politicians.

Jan Arild: Today Norwegian “far-right extremists” are going to march in parades and eat ice cream.

Lukasz: Written by far-left extremist journalists.

Einar Kristian: This is what BT has become. I grew up in Bergen, born in 1951. Now it is called far-right extremists and Palestine activists. The former worse, the latter something else. BT used to be a good newspaper, now poisoned by political correctness. Glad I cancelled my subscription.

Lasse: Trash journalism from BT. There are thousands of videos from the demonstrations online. There are everyone from elderly grandmothers to children in the demonstrations. They are not far-right extremists. There are also people from many cultures in these demonstrations.

Sverre: Shall we say ordinary people and Palestine extremists?

Anthony: You are not far-right simply because you love your country. If so, there are millions of far-right extremists in Norwegian streets today, 17 May.

Ole Ivar: Far-right extremists? Around 100,000 in London alone. Get a grip, BT. Ethnic Britons have had enough of globalism, woke ideology, and an utterly hopeless energy policy. Open borders and crime that is out of control. Please try to report somewhat more balancedly. If everything that is not socialism is far-right extremism, then the term is becoming rather broad and devoid of meaning.

Raymond: Wonderful to see how the people react to this misleading “journalism” and blackening headlines. Low point for BT.

Tina: BT? Far-right extremists? People who want security, a future for their children, and wish to preserve their country with its traditions and culture are far-right extremists? I think the term has become thoroughly worn out! No, they are not far-right extremists. They are conservatives.

AllSides analysis of the bias

Here is an analysis from the news organisation AllSides, which we recently covered. It shows that we are not mistaken when we point out the extreme bias in NTB’s reporting:

AllSides Bias Checker

The report on the two demonstrations taking place simultaneously in London displays a left-leaning framing and unbalanced coverage of the two groups, with particular emphasis on warnings directed at one side.

The author uses derogatory language about Tommy Robinson such as “far-right” and “a former football hooligan”, while the pro-Palestinian demonstrators are merely described neutrally as “demonstrators” without any negative labels.

The author highlights Prime Minister Starmer’s warning about cracking down on those creating chaos, and that Robinson’s supporters “spread hate and division”, but says almost nothing negative about the Palestine activists.

The author mentions that pro-Palestinian demonstrators were warned against certain slogans and that some shouted “Death to the IDF”, but presents this merely as a neutral fact. No strong negative words such as “extremist” or similar are used, which demonstrates how unevenly the two groups are treated.

Choice of words

“The so-called ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march.”

The use of “so-called” is distancing language. It calls into question the legitimacy of the march’s name and shows that the author is sceptical rather than neutral.

Derogatory descriptions

“Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a former football hooligan …”

The term “football hooligan” is a clearly derogatory characterisation. Even though it refers to Robinson’s past, the author chooses this loaded term instead of a neutral alternative such as “football supporter” or “football player”.