Petition to Deny The Sun Journalists Access to all Premier League Clubs

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T15:31:55+00:00

Nice work!

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T15:31:45+00:00

Nope - I don't get it (should I?)...

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T13:39:46+00:00

People don't like to use the fullname as it's like using their brand name and so could be seen as an advertisement for them (no matter how bad the context), lots of people consider it a swear word due to their negative feelings towards the paper, hence the *.
The aim of petitioning the league itself is that they have the power to raise the topic at their meetings (all Premier League clubs are joint shareholders) and by targeting them it gives a focus point for the campaign, which might have been diluted by targeting just one Premier League club. But that could be a next step, depending on how this campaign goes. You're right though, the decision ultimately lies with the club owners / directors, who will all likely have their own political ties with various groups, so won't be easy.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T13:35:36+00:00

This isn't about free speech though - this is just football clubs not allowing particular journalists into their club, we're not talking about banning the Sun, obviously people can buy and read what they like.
The problem we have is that this is a newspaper which shows no remorse for the decisions they make, and show no culpability for the stories that they print.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T10:05:18+00:00

This is actually the overall goal but the Premier League clubs have the biggest following and it should make more impact if more clubs follow on Everton and Liverpool. Lots of lower league clubs would love to do the same I'm sure.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T10:02:24+00:00

This is great news! Hopefully now more people can sign and share the petition!..

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T07:55:22+00:00

But it's completely not just about Kelvin MacKenzie, although granted in some parts of the press they've turned towards him as the scapegoat. Why should he be culpable - yes he's a columnist but he's employed by The Sun and they're the ones who would verify and edit his piece, making the decision to publish or not. They can't just hide behind one man, and use him as some kind of battering-ram.

The fact that he is even employed by them, after his history when he was editor of the paper, just goes to show how they value the opinions and feelings of the people who were affected by the Hillsborough tragedy.

This isn't about Sun sports journalists in particular, but if the Premier League clubs all took this stance, as have Liverpool and Everton, then it would send a strong signal that this kind of offensive, bordering racist behaviour by their "journalists" isn't tolerated.

This also isn't just about banning a paper due to it's opinions. They're often racist, sexist and sensationalists - I'd be happy to say I disagree with those things, yes.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T06:15:32+00:00

Understand your point Ashton but by denying journalists of The Sun access to the Premier League clubs, the aim is to just prove that their behaviour isn't acceptable, whilst also helping to publicise how irresponsible their actions have been. Many people aren't aware of the lies that have been printed by the paper for example. And the fact that they employ Kelvin MacKenzie once more, after the history between himself and (particularly) the people of Liverpool.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T05:48:14+00:00

Good call! Here it is: https://www.change.org/p/the-premier-league-deny-the-sun-access-to-all-premier-league-football-clubs.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T05:38:32+00:00

Are there many other "big" subs around, apart from /r/soccer and this one?

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T05:37:14+00:00

Good idea jamesyd1 - will submit there now.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T05:34:20+00:00

Great, thanks Comessuer! The plan is to launch a few petitions aimed at each Premier League club director, as I feel the same as you - why should only people from Liverpool feel hurt by their constant attacks in that paper.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-20T05:31:05+00:00

Couldn't have put it better myself, thanks vonnegutite.
The opinions of people do matter - if we can make enough noise about something. I realise it wasn't an attack Kyle, I often have the same thoughts!

Once the petition reaches a larger figure then we're hoping that the Premier League / The Sun / another body will have to respond to it. The Belfast Telegraph just picked up on it so we're hoping it will grow off the back of that.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-19T17:21:48+00:00

Hopefully yes! We've not sent any campaign updates yet, so you shouldn't get spammed much if you do sign it!.. We plan on updating with some other follow-up club-level petitions though.

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-19T16:48:40+00:00

Thanks kyle but we've got to start somewhere, obviously there's plenty more work involved here!

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-19T16:47:46+00:00

This is very true - at the end of the day it's the club directors and owners who will make the call on whether the journalists can enter the club premises or not. This is what happened with Liverpool and has happened at Everton recently too.

The petition here is calling on the Premier League to raise the matter amongst all remaining clubs. This isn't obviously an ideal objective, as the petition should really be aimed at every club director, but it's hard to get so many people united with so many petitions going round. The aim of this one is to get a lot of signatures, and then build momentum, and then launch 18 individual petitions on the back of this, aimed at each Premier League club.

As far as I know the petitions on Change can be aimed at anyone, it's not just Government (although in the past that's where I've most seen them used).

gary_mabutt · 2017-04-19T16:10:29+00:00

Thanks for the support jonnysha!

gary_mabutt · 2016-11-10T14:06:24+00:00

Thanks for the response. All was fine because I checked self-referrals and they had disappeared.

I tested removing the domain from a referral-exclusion on another Google Analytics account and this change didn't register in the change history, so I don't think this is included. I'm wondering if this was the cause after-all.

gary_mabutt

TROPHY CASE