QAnon, Cuties and the BBC

 

The BBC's disinformation unit might have to be renamed its QAnon unit, given how intensely they cover that conspiracy theory. It even led to this tweet from the BBC's disinformation reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh: 

He soon had second thoughts and deleted it. 

This resulted in the following exchange, which I thought I might share with you:

Simon Dolan: I thought he might delete it. Do you want to clarify @Shayan86?

Shayan Sardarizadeh: Happy to clarify. The tweet lacked context about the film, so I deleted it. Here's a tweet with clear context about what critics and those behind the film say about it: The film "Cuties" on Netflix has caused huge controversy in the US. There's a #CancelNetflix campaign against the film as critics say it "normalises paedophilia" and is vile. The director and Netflix say it's "a commentary and criticism of the hypersexualisation of young girls".

Simon Dolan: Thanks. Interesting you offer no personal opinion 'one way or the other'.

Shayan Sardarizadeh: Yes. That's because: a) I haven't seen the film, b) I'm not a film critic, c) I'm not a columnist or opinion writer, d) I'm not allowed to post personal opinion under BBC guidelines. If you have seen the film and think it's offensive, you should complain to Netfilx.

Simon Dolan: So why bring it up? You initially said it was "Xmas for the Q followers". How do you know if you haven't seen it? 

Shayan Sardarizadeh: Because I follow the QAnon community very closely and can see many QAnon followers are sharing their views about the film on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube; suggesting it validates their view about the entertainment industry being part of the deep state cabal.

Simon Dolan: This was your original tweet from less than an hour ago. Doesn't really square with your latest comments does it? You made a clear inference, and now look a little ridiculous in your back peddling.

Shayan Sardarizadeh: No, it wasn't an inference. It's a fact that many QAnon followers are seeing the film as a validation of their long-held view about the entertainment industry. I've politely answered your questions. Let me know when you have a question that hasn't been answered.