#56: OXFAM APOLOGIZES OVER J.K. ROWLING "TERF" CARTOON
France's "Fox News" threatened with censorship + Gov spent nearly $10K on drag brunch + German human rights group calls for AfD ban + MORE!
OXFAM APOLOGIZES FOR J.K. ROWLING “TERF” CARICATURE
Oxfam, a controversial global charity that works to end poverty, has issued an apology for a video that it posted on Twitter to celebrate Pride Month.
The video sparked outrage among some viewers who accused it of attacking JK Rowling over her views on transgender issues.
It featured a cartoon animation of various groups of people, including some who were labeled as "hate groups" and had red eyes. One of these characters was a woman with a similar hairstyle and outfit to Rowling, wearing a badge that said "Terf".
Terf is a derogatory term that means trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
Many people on social media criticized Oxfam for demonizing Rowling and other women who have expressed concerns about how transgender issues affect women's rights and safety. Some also pointed out that the video used racial stereotypes and called for a boycott of the charity.
Oxfam International, which commissioned the video as part of its gender justice campaign, took down the original version and replaced it with a re-edited one that removed the term "Terf" and the controversial characters.
"In efforts to make an important point about the real harm caused by transphobia, we made a mistake,” wrote the charity in a statement.
"We have therefore edited the video to remove the term 'Terf' and we are sorry for the offence it caused,” it continued.
"There was no intention by Oxfam or the film-makers for this slide to have portrayed any particular person or people.”
FRANCE’S “FOX NEWS” THREATENED WITH CENSORSHIP
CNews TV is a French news channel that has been compared to Fox News in the US for its conservative and controversial views on topics such as immigration and Islam.
The channel, owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, has been growing in popularity and ratings since it changed its format in 2019. However, it has also faced criticism and legal challenges from the government, the media regulator and some civil society groups.
Culture Minister, Rima Abdul-Malak, has even suggested that the channel should lose its license and be removed from the air altogether.
CNews TV claims to be a place where all opinions can be heard, even those that deviate from political correctness and the mainstream media. The channel features outspoken hosts and guests who often express anti-immigration, anti-Islam and anti-government views.
Some of its most popular shows include "Face à l'info", hosted by Eric Zemmour, and former presidential candidate, and "L'heure des pros", hosted by Pascal Praud, a former sports journalist.
The channel's success has been attributed to its ability to tap into the dissatisfaction and anger of some segments of the French population who feel marginalized and betrayed by the political elite and the media establishment.
GOV SPENT NEARLY $10K ON A DRAG QUEEN BRUNCH
The Austrian parliament has been accused of wasting taxpayers’ money on a “rainbow buffet” that cost 6,199.80 euros and featured a drag performance, according to an access to information request.
The event, which was held in December 2022 to celebrate the founding of the “LGBTIQ Intergroup”, also hired a “drag queen” named Grazia Patricia as the host, but the fee for her performance was not disclosed by the President of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP), citing “data protection reasons”.
Susanne Fürst, an FPÖ MP, denounced the event as a provocation and a scandal, questioning the need for such an intergroup and its use of public resources.
“The fact that Parliament is paying 6,200 euros for a couple of trays of punch donuts in all the colors of the rainbow is, so to speak, a scandal within a scandal. Sobotka obviously believes he can throw all of our tax money out of the window with both hands if he comes to terms with the left-leaning zeitgeist,” said Fürst.
She also criticized the modification of the parliament logo, which added a rainbow to it, on the invitation letter for the event
Fürst also wondered if a parliamentary group to protect the traditional family would be allowed and receive the same support as the LGBTIQ intergroup.
“I would be very interested to know if a parliamentary group to protect the traditional family would also be allowed - with a logo showing father, mother and children together with the parliament building,” she stated.
HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP FUNDED BY GOV CALLS FOR BAN OF GERMANY’S AfD
A German human rights group called Pro Asyl, which receives funding from the German government, has recently argued that the conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) should be banned from participating in elections.
Pro Asyl claims that the AfD incites hatred and violence against migrants, Muslims, and other minorities, and that it poses a threat to the rule of law and social cohesion in Germany.
The AfD has rejected the allegations and accuses Pro Asyl of being a partisan organization that serves the interests of the ruling parties as the party rises in the polls as a main contender.
Recent polls show that nearly 30% of Germans would consider voting for the party and it has hit a record high of 19% of supporters should an election be called today.
The party says it represents the voice of millions of Germans who are dissatisfied with the current policies and direction of the country.
The debate over whether to ban the AfD has sparked controversy and criticism from various sides. Some legal experts doubt that a ban would be feasible or effective, given the high constitutional hurdles and the possible backlash from AfD supporters.
Some political analysts warn that a ban could further polarize and radicalize the society and drive the AfD underground.
