Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Haringey's Pravda
I've suggested before that the council's propaganda magazine Haringey "People" should more accurately be titled Haringey Pravda.
One of its more hard-line defenders was the outgoing Executive Cabinet Member, Cllr. Lorna Reith. She told us that surveys showed that HP was the public's preferred way to receive information from the council.
I note that a Conservative Party blog records Ms Reith as having been a Communist candidate in the 1989 Euro elections for London North. That former allegiance was of course her total democratic right – but it might also explain the belief (and efficacy) in using general taxation for party political propaganda.
Equally seriously, I seem to remember that it was Cllr Reith who was responsible (single-handedly?) for the wasteful and grotesque distortion of our Borough's logo (the squashed spider), for no good reason.
Was it mere coincidence that this uncalled-for, unnecessary change occurred at the time of the attempt to sell our Charity's main asset? Or was it a tactic calculated to weaken the link between the Borough and broadcasting history in the SE wing of Alexandra Palace, a history of which at one time, Haringey Council was – rightly – so proud?
Tags for Forum Posts: haringey people
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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Alan I'm pleased that at learn that at someone on the council supports better cycling facilities. Last weekend I availed myself of Dr Bike's services in Finsbury Park; this initiative is to be welcomed, but its a modest commitment to cycling.
I hope other councillors will support Lorna Reith on this matter because there's not much yet to show. I know I could spend the huge sum on PR & HP in better ways many times over, but one way to improve cycling facilities would be to axe or pare Pravda. It's about priorities.
In respect of the council press, I'm pleased to note that Lorna likes cats. So do I. Alan one of your most practical comments some time ago through HoL was to recommend to me that if I didn't like HP, I could use it to line a cat litter tray.
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Michael I'm glad we agree about HP and yes, I'm aware that LBH is far from alone in wasting money in this way. Wasteful, especially when there are pressing social problems.
It's a phenomenon described by the Local Government Secretary as "propaganda on the rates". The moves made to curtail this nonsense don't seem to have had any effect.
And I'm prepared to believe that there is not a former Communist behind each of these kinds of publication. That other Boroughs engage in it and that other parties do is no consolation. But I live in Haringey and Haringey Pravda is delivered here. I wouldn't be surprised if some decent members of the Labour Party find HP an embarrassment.
I'm sure you could lengthen that list of well-known former members of the Communist Party. I held views that were sympathetic to Communism ... when I was a teenager! Most grow out of such belief. I didn't get anywhere near joining The Party (the closest was subscribing for a time to Socialist Action) and still less, standing as a Communist Party candidate in a major election.
HP is a disgrace, but its no accident. There are people behind it and pushing it.
Having made some study of Marxism and Communism, I'm aware as you probably are, of Communists' prizing of propaganda. By contrast, I think the value of a free press is immeasurable.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Thanks for the link, Clive. I'm sure you've noticed a couple of interesting aspects to the sources it generates.
One is how - if you follow the entries in Google's list - they come up with a similar if not identical form of words. I assume this is because of their unsurpassable beauty and elegance, and not because churnalists used the agency copy.
A second aspect which caught my eye was the press release from Mr Pickles' Department on 28 June 2010. ( http://bit.ly/LdGiul ) It was headed: "Eric Pickles to stop 'propaganda on the rates' killing off local newspapers". And began:
"The media industry has welcomed the news that there will be a crackdown on council-funded newspapers. The announcement made by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will end the unfair competition between free council newspapers and independent local newspapers and allow local press to continue to scrutinise activities of local government."
Plainly this official handout was a model of civil service political neutrality. I don't see how any reasonable member of the Government could find a single word not entirely based on incontrovertible fact taken from a reliable Conservative website.
As everyone knows the decline of local newspapers has nothing whatever to do with the internet and a decline in newspaper advertising revenues. Nor the fact that their proprietors have chosen to reduce the numbers of journalists. So, following Mr Pickles' "crackdown", local newspapers are now experiencing a glorious renaissance.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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I don't see any relevance in the fact that a councillor is or was a member of the Communist Party. Some Councillors may attend church but I wouldn't hold that against them.
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Permalink Reply by Seema Chandwani on
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Woooooow!! Victor Meldrew turns Columbo!!!!
I thought it was common knowledge that Cllr Reith was a member of the Communist Party, I dont think she ever has hidden it nor would it be possible even if she desired as she was a candidate/well known visible member. The Communist Party and Labour Party up until the 1920s had affliated links, I hope you dont waste your time looking for more connections, its a pretty diluted link.
I may not like Cllr Reiths politics, but this appears a bit personal and to be honest no where as bad as people in the Tory party who used to be Lib Dems before they chased the power of government
Anyway, back to the wider [and I hope your specific] point... I do want to know if I can unsubscribe to Haringey People, it is 32 pages of glossy bullshit that is posted through my door full of the most abnoxious ' fake smiled ribbon cutting pictures' ever known. Im not a huge fan of the Lib Dems, but I rarely see them in this publication and therefore it is questionable whether this is propaganda or not.
In reality I am not that interested how many flower pots Cllr Blah Blah planted in a local school, they can save that for their own websites; twitter; facebook and ward newsletters - which not many of them have. I am interested in information about changes to fees/services; I find the "day in the life of" council staff interesting as it allows you to see what they do, I like the bits whats on in ally pally or bruce castle etc.
I also think it needs to be balanced and truthful... having a whole page dedicated to "BETTER HARINGEY BUDGET PASSED" almost drove me insane...!! £86m cut from the budget, riots, people eating from foodbanks, high unemployment etc is not a "better" Haringey no matter what planet you live on!
Mine comes through the door and is in the bin within 10mins, however I am now collecting them and will use them artistically to prove a point shortly
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Mine comes through the door and is in the bin within 10mins, however I am now collecting them
Seema please also consider using as a cat litter tray liner. Was this the artistry you had in mind?
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