This publishing house offers a voice to people who can write, who have something to say, and who have insight to important events, regardless of race, colour or creed. We have published Ulster Loyalists, former SAS and Military Intelligence soldiers, those of left wing, right wing and everything in between. And we certainly would publish an alternative version of the Rangers story if a well researched and written volume was available, which, at time of writing, is not. We do not discriminate. Freedom of speech is what we defend at all times. There were many troubling aspects of the events of Sunday after The Sun published its original article on our author, Phil Mac Giolla Bhain. We thought the article, pointing out that Phil was the first journalist to highlight the Ranger’s story, was fair and accurate. We became aware of a reaction to it throughout Sunday. We defend anybody’s right to protest, to complain and to object to any book. Freedom of expression is essential in democracy. But so is free speech. That is why we back Phil Mac Giolla Bhain utterly. Certainly Phil expresses his world view in polemic ways, as have many great polemicists before him. Having gotten to know our author well during the last few of months we know that he is neither a bigot, nor is he sectarian, a view we share with Professor Roy Greenslade. We have no time for any form of sectarianism, or racism. Phil’s work over recent years has been focused on challenging racism, especially anti-Irish racism in Scottish society. We recognise the pressure The Sun was put under and we understand the commercial reality behind their decision. We also note that there was no problem with the contents of the book, which of course The Sun read and approved before offering serialisation. There has been a long-standing campaign to de-legitimise Mac Giolla Bhain as a “proper” journalist. Yet, how much more a “proper” journalist could he be after being the first to break the Rangers story when many “proper” journalists for whatever reasons, didnt do so. The “Proper” is in the pudding. Someone who was not a “proper” journalist would not have the full backing of the President of the National Union of Journalists. Technology has brought writing to a crossroads. We have Mainstream Media and we have the ever growing New Media of bloggers and tweeters. Great talent within this new generation of New Media perhaps will always be considered upstarts by some. But we judge them on their research, their scoops and their writing. Bob Smith Publisher Frontline Noir4th Sept 2012 ________________ Discuss
which of course The Sun read and approved before offering serialisation. lol another proud day for the sun newspaper. So they gave into the bigots and dropped the story.
The publisher would go bust if they scrapped the book now, they have too much money involved. They were obviously going to come out and defend the failed journo, although I wouldn't be surprised if they know full well how bigoted Phil is.
The irony in all this ****e is Hillsborough. Remember that Soaraway Sun exclusive? I can remember the tic fans showing a lot of solidarity with the Liverpool fans at the time. I quite admired them for that actually. I personally have refused to read that rag since then. Not that I like Liverpool I just thought it was morally wrong what that media bogroll wrote at the time. 24 years later and Phil McFannybaws is trying to get his 99 pence shop bound tome serialised in it. Would you lot have bought the Sun to read this heady piece of literature? I think you would. It always affords me a wry smile every time I see that rag cut and pasted in the Celtic forum.
I'm surprised rangers fans aren't interested in this book. This is a chance to find out why your club failed. Remember... "Those who don't learn from the past are destined to repeat it"
Largely I agree with you and for much the same reasons. I don't know to whom it is you are referring with your "I think you would" comment so I'll invite you to elaborate. I share your criticism of Phil. I don't mind material from the sun being copied and pasted. I prefer it to a link being posted that I will not click on. Like Eric, I am surprised that you are not interested in the book. Phil has a proven track record for accuracy on this topic. Well above and beyond any other journalist. It appears to me that the vast majority of Rangers fans ignored Phil because he was telling them what they didn't want to hear. They backed the wrong horse.
Don't be facetious Eric. I hardly think we need a book by a failed hack to realise the reasons behind what happened to our club. Besides why waste the money you can read about it every day here and on the Celtic forum for free.
Rebel I was referring to Celtic fans in general buying the paper to read the story. I know this is a bit of a generalisation and do realise that were the shoe on the other foot the same would probably apply to our fans. I would not read it in the same way that I would not read any books by the likes of David Irving. I mean it's hardly likely to be impartial is it? how many Celtic fans would be that desperate to read a book on the 'tic by James Traynor for example? It's heartening to know that you don't buy into the Murdoch stuff either.
It certainly is not impartial, but it is factual and his commentary has proven to be accurate. If I had gotten it so badly wrong I imagine I would be interested in how the guy who had gotten it right could justify his position. The story of Rangers downfall is not just about the doings of David Murray and Craigy Craigy Whyte but also about how journalists failed to recognise the story, failed to act on the story and failed to accurately relay the potential outcomes of the story. I am certain this had a huge bearing on the laissez faire/complacent attitude of the Rangers support that meant nobody did anything to save the club. I imagine the book touches on all of this. I would have thought there might be an interest in that. As far as I am aware David Irving has never been entirely vindicated.
I'll be honest, If I was a freelance journalist and I had an.....exclusive story and the Notw had approached me to break it. I don't know whether I wouldn't take them up on the offer. If I then made a book about that exclusive story, I don't know that I wouldn't sell it to the Sun. I am sure there must be some kind of moral justification I might put forward for myself. Although the criticism of that is wholly valid. Plus he is a cock.
I don't feel I have gotten anything that has gone down badly wrong Rebel so do not feel the need to seek Phil's enlightenment. I kind of sussed it out for myself and it did not come as a surprise. I don't quite agree with you on the influence of journalists in all this either. I genuinely don't think the press are anywhere as influential in all this as you do regarding the attitude of the supporters. I doubt very few of them actually read newspapers anyway now. The newspaper industry is in serious decline. Ironically we are now in a far healthier situation financially than we would have been if the supporters had (as you put it) tried to save the club. At the end of the day Phil knew who his audience was for his penny dreadful. It sure as Hell wasn't us.
As a collective i think it is fair to say that the Rangers supporters turned a blind eye to the situation that unfolded. If journalists had questioned Murray in 1986 then perhaps he wouldn't have borrowed against borrowed money and the whole thing wouldn't have come down like a house of cards. Perhaps he may not have abused the ruinous EBT scheme. Exposing that to the Rangers supporters would have equipped them with the knowledge to force Murray to reign it in. I am not with you on being in a healthier state. BDO are about to move in to liquidate the club.
What have the British Darts Organisation got to do with it dude? Sorry Rebel have to go now the pub is calling. Have a good Saturday night
