It’s fair to say that the MSM (mainstream media) isn’t overly fond of embattled Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, but Facebook is a different story. A web of popular and niche groups and pages disseminate news about the Labour leadership election, the Tory Government and other political issues of the day with a distinctively pro-Corbyn slant. Not only that, but some of the biggest Facebook pages have hundreds of thousands of followers.
This flourishing media world has emerged without much scrutiny by traditional press, or politicians. Here is where to get your news, Corbynista style:
1. Jeremy Corbyn’s Facebook page
First stop is Jeremy Corbyn’s Facebook page, where you can join his 770,000 Facebook fans and get regular updates on the man himself. He posts the Labour shadow cabinet’s response to the issues of the day, often with a tasteful infographic. You can also expect footage of his packed rallies around the country, and Corbyn speaking to camera.
2. Jeremy Corbyn for PM
If you don’t only love Corbyn but want him to be the next prime minister, then this is the community for you. More than 218,000 Facebook users have joined. The organisers of the page don’t speak for Corbyn, but share news stories backing him with their own twist. A recent post urging UNISON to back Corbyn has been shared more than 200 times.
3. The Canary
The Canary describes itself as “high quality journalism on the things that matter”. It combines clickbait headlines with a stridently pro-Corbyn tone, but it also covers world affairs like the Turkey coup. Its Facebook page has more than 87,000 likes.
4. Novara Media
This multimedia platform promises “media for a different politics”. In a recent video co-founder Aaron Bastani suggested that social democracy “can’t win”. He has backed Corbyn in the Labour leadership race. But according to the blog Guido Fawkes, there was a time when Bastani – then Aaron Peters – seemed more appreciative of Tory benefits reformer Iain Duncan Smith.
5. We Support Jeremy Corbyn
This public Facebook group crowd sources pictures and articles from the most passionate Corbyn fans. Some post “socialist selfies” with their Labour membership cards. There is also room for debate. One user questions whether a personality cult is developing around Corbyn. One asks plaintively: “Why are there so many very attractive Corbynistas in this group?” Could Corbyn Soulmates be next?