๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐
๐๐๐ซ-๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ (๐/๐)
๐ผ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐
๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ – 20:00, 23.01.24
‘Investigative Journalist’ authored the first installment of a three-part series analyzing an initial article on fear penned by a citizen journalist known as “Liz Bladon.” Although the original article has been taken down from the “citizen journalist’s” website, it remains accessible via the Wayback Machine, an internet archive.
WHO IS LIZ BLADON?
This analysis has yielded no evidence supporting the claim that “Liz Bladon” identified herself as a journalist. Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence indicating that she authenticated the screenshots or obtained permission to utilise quotes from the original authors.
On 11th August 11, 2023, Dorset Eye, a purportedly community-friendly website and online magazine covering diverse topics such as ‘Parenting and Children’ and ‘Wildlife,’ published an article titled ‘Fear, Grievance and Hate: How A Community Became Radicalised.’ Despite positioning itself questionably as Dorset’s primary news outlet, asserting to be “for the people of Dorset, by the people of Dorset,” the article aimed to expose the alleged use of fear, grievance, and racist hatred within the community.
In this analysis, our objective is to untangle the deceptive web of fear-mongering, hatred, and misinformation that has played a role in dividing the community. We will also scrutinise whether “Dorsetโs eye” has accurately scoped out the situation and assess the role of the co-facilitators and publishers, Deborah Anne Cridland and Jason Richard Cridland.
Before delving into this analysis, it is imperative to address a fundamental question: Who is Liz or Elizabeth Bladon, the purported author of the article? Unfortunately, finding a clear answer proves challenging, as the name is associated with three Facebook accounts (two of which have been deleted) created after the initial publication of the article. A page, not a profile, attributed to David Owens, emerged just days after the article’s release, claiming that “she used to live in the same street as me until about ten years ago.” This raises reasonable doubts about the existence of “Lizzie,” a notion reinforced by the absence of her name in the electoral register.
Liz also claims that she was removed from the “No To The Barge” Facebook group by Alex Bailey some time ago. However, upon contacting Mr Bailey, he denies any knowledge of a Liz or Elizabeth Bladon and asserts that he has never blocked such an individual. Additionally, he reveals that many articles published under the Dorset Eye bear names that are aliases used by the co-facilitators, Debbie and Jason Cridland. While we cannot independently verify the accuracy of this claim, it does raise intrigue, especially considering the existence of over 650 articles attributed to โPenny Lane,โ the title of a song by the English rock band The Beatles.
As a publisher, Dorset Eye asserts its commitment to high standards and ethical principles guiding its writers and editors. However, it seems that “Liz Bladon,” likely using a pseudonym, never identified themselves as a journalist or provided the name of their publication, engaging in deception. This action contradicts Dorset Eye’s regulator, Impress, and its guidance on harassment. The co-facilitators, Debbie and Jason, explicitly state in their Code of Conduct that if they make a mistake, they rely on their readers to help maintain high standards. In this case, a mistake has been made, involving unethical behaviour impacting the public.
Therefore, we urge the publisher to set the record straight and address the remaining fundamental question: Who is Liz Bladon?
The individual referred to as “Liz” in the article discusses a real-life campaign in Portland, Dorset, known as “No To The Barge” or NTTB for short. However, upon investigation, there is no evidence of such a group’s existence on the Charity Commission, Companies House, or the Electoral Commission databases. In contrast, Stand Up To Racism, a group closely associated with Dorset Eye, has undergone an investigation with the Electoral Commission. According to the Charity Commission, this group also generates just over half a million pounds and receives ยฃ60,922 from five government contracts, along with ยฃ222,241 from three government grants, contributing to its additional total income, which is nearly one million pounds!
Slogans aside, “Bladon” rightly notes that a Facebook group was initially named “Portland Immigration Barge Discussions (aka Barge Bitchin’).” Subsequently, the term “Barge Bitchin” was dropped, and by mid-June 2023, it evolved into “No To The Barge.” The group’s membership included eccentric profiles like Ladette M Squiggleton, Britishoscar JJ, and Holty Bfc. While group creator, Amy Sharpe, maintained a low profile, the admins underwent changes over time. Initially led by Steve Coggins, joined by Alex Bailey, and later Kate Robson, with others appearing as moderators, as shared by Mr Bailey. However, according to his public statement, he departed from the Facebook group in August 2023, and from our understanding, the real-life campaign came to a halt under Mrs Robson.
Since then, the Facebook group has seemingly come under the control of “Greg Anderson” as an admin, whose sole friend is Chris Johnson, actively involved in Dover, Kent, documenting the crossings of asylum seekers into the country and seemingly having links with extreme groups.
You may have noted this as part of a series of analytical articles, of which we anticipate three in total. As there is much to untangle regarding the deceptive web of fear-mongering, hatred, and misinformation that has played a role in dividing our community. Our aim is to inform and empower people to learn about the co-facilitators behind Dorset Eye, Debbie and Jason Cridland, and make up your own mind based on the facts. See you for part 2.
Sources
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555192855041&sk=about_overview
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550268686816&sk=about_profile_transparency
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009393990871
Screenshots on FB
