MUCH on social media remains a mystery.
How exactly is it changing the way we think? Is it reflecting or determining the way we vote? Why has no-one told Alan Sugar to stop tweeting?
Not everything, however, is unclear.
Take the example of the journalist that works for Guido Fawkes – a right-wing news site – who’s been blocked by Nicola Sturgeon’s Twitter account.
Christian Calgie, who made the announcement this morning, is utterly appalled.
He tweeted: “No. Way. The First Minister of Scotland has genuinely blocked me on Twitter for sharing an attack ad I didn't tag her in, meaning someone on her team is actively combing through Twitter...”
No. Way. The First Minister of Scotland has genuinely blocked me on Twitter for sharing an attack ad I didn't tag her in, meaning someone on her team is actively combing through Twitter... https://t.co/gIG8N2qQp0 pic.twitter.com/Hf2GnZlMr8
— Calgie (@christiancalgie) February 16, 2021
The video in question cites a highly contested segment on the Andew Marr show which claimed Scotland’s coronavirus record was “worse” than England’s.
We took a close look at those claims in this article.
Nonetheless, Calgie’s tweet sparked outrage among Scottish MSPs, who are always eager to expose the First Minister’s supposedly tyrannical nature.
READ MORE: LBC host says Nicola Sturgeon is 'talking out her kilt' on Scottish Border rules
“Blocking journalists is neither a sign of a healthy democracy nor a First Minister who is confident of her own record in government,” Jamie Greene tweeted.
Blocking journalists is neither a sign of a healthy democracy nor a First Minister who is confident of her own record in government. https://t.co/MGxPDZzwSE
— Jamie Greene MSP (@jamiegreeneUK) February 16, 2021
Annie Wells added that it wasn’t a “great look” for Sturgeon.
But speaking of looks that aren’t great, other Twitter users pointed to a series of smears posted by Calgie about the SNP leader.
In September, he suggested Sturgeon is overseeing “North Korean levels of personality cultism” as he shared an article which likened the First Minister to the child snatcher.
Earlier that month, he also shared a video of Sturgeon being hit by a tennis ball, with more than a hint of glee.
“A gif of Nicola Sturgeon getting whacked by a tennis ball for you this afternoon,” he posted.
The reporter later added: “(Genuinely no malice to this, the full video shows she was fine x)”
A gif of Nicola Sturgeon getting whacked by a tennis ball for you this afternoon pic.twitter.com/FjX3gyLgPF
— Calgie (@christiancalgie) September 14, 2019
It seems it wouldn’t take Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery of why he’s been blocked.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions. What should we do with our second vote in 2021? What happens if Westminster says no to indyref2?
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversation, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. We’ve had hundreds of emails from you complaining about this, asking us to take steps to ensure that these people aren’t given a platform on our site.
We’re listening to you, and here’s how we plan to make that happen.
We have decided to make the ability to comment only available to our 12,000 paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them.
We’ll be monitoring this change over the first few weeks, and we’re keen to know your thoughts. Email us at letters@thenational.scot if you want to have your say.
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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