Islamophobic truck stunt shows the dangers of far-right media
Toronto Star|June 23, 2024
Imagine pulling off hate as a fundraising stunt.
SHREE PARADKAR
Islamophobic truck stunt shows the dangers of far-right media

A van was spotted around the GTA this past week displaying Islamophobic messaging. A long tolerance for Rebel and its pretend journalism has created space for other hatemongering channels whose business model relies on cashing in on white racial panic and insecurity, Shree Paradkar writes.

Yet it seems that’s what Rebel “News” did this past week after a truck it owns drove around the Greater Toronto Area, flashing blatant and disturbing Islamophobic messages and tapping white supremacist fears of a “Muslim takeover.”

“Muslim takeover” is in scare quotes because it’s a conspiracy theory innocent of all evidence.

“News” is in quotes because Rebel calling itself such is questionable; as a journalist I don’t recognize the output of that propaganda machine to be news.

No self-respecting news outlet would stoop to running messages on a billboard truck that incited hate toward a particular community.

No self-respecting editor would then exploit the ensuing outrage, fear and police investigation to claim victimhood and raise funds against “censorship.”

No self-respecting media owner — even of the increasingly distrusted corporate media — would do this at any time but they would especially not exploit a time of social divisions wrought by loss, trauma and grief.

Footage of the cube truck went viral this past week after it flashed videos showing Muslims praying accompanied by statements saying:

“Is this Yemen? Is this Syria? Is this Iraq?”

“No. This is Canada. Wake up Canada. You are under siege.”

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 23, 2024 من Toronto Star.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 23, 2024 من Toronto Star.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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