Site accused of Jew-hate joins press regulator
A NEWS outlet that was accused of antisemitism when it covered the row over racism in Labour has joined the press regulator Impress.
The Dorset Eye website said last week it was “very proud” to have signed up to the watchdog.
Founded in 2012, the site describes itself as a “progressive, open and rigorous” community outlet, but it has faced repeated accusations of antisemitism from anti-racism campaigners.
It provoked controversy in 2019 when it published a blog containing the baseless claim that TV presenter and campaigner against antisemitism Rachel Riley worked for the “Israeli state propaganda machine”, and that her actions could lead to “another Jo Cox moment”.
The anonymous blog named Ms Riley – who suffered antisemitic abuse for campaigning against Jew-hate in Labour – in a rant about “goons” who criticise Labour.
Lisa Lewis, a Labour councillor for Southbourne in Dorset, was suspended by the party after sharing the post.
Dorset Eye has also published material critical of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis including, according to screenshots circulated online, a letter describing the faith leader as a “modern-day Judas”.
Rabbi Mirvis previously spoke out against the party’s handling of antisemitism under former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
The website’s cofounder, Jason Cridland, dismissed antisemitism claims in a 2019 blog post. He said he had attempted to engage with critics and added that he had found it “challenging”. “Their dogma, hate and incapacity to provide any evidence is actually quite disturbing,” he wrote.
An Impress spokesperson said: “As an approved regulator, IMPRESS is required to be open to all news publishers who wish to join on a fair and non-discriminatory basis.”
Dorset Eye did not return requests for comment.
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