The Spectator, Britain's oldest and most esteemed political magazine, is embroiled in a damaging controversy over its coverage of Muslims and Islam. A scathing report by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CMM) has accused the publication of perpetuating a "sustained and systemic pattern of biased reporting," with more than half of all relevant articles analysed displaying clear bias over an eight-year period.
The CMM's comprehensive research, which examined 3,733 articles published in The Spectator between 2014 and 2022, paints a concerning picture of a publication that consistently portrays Muslims as a "problem population," exceptional, or threatening. This skewed narrative is further exacerbated by the magazine's tendency to delegitimise the very concept of Islamophobia, creating an image of a minority group that is both sectarian and separate from mainstream British society.
Examples cited in the report include articles that dismiss Muslim concerns about racist abuse as "dainty sensibilities" and "handwringing," while others express alarm over the strength of "organised Islam" and the growing Muslim population in the UK. The CMM also highlights content making disparaging remarks about the potential for violence within the Muslim community, including an article questioning the approval of mosques.
Notably, the report's foreword by Peter Oborne, a former political editor at The Spectator, charts the magazine's shift from condemning anti-immigration figure Enoch Powell to "steadily rebuilding his reputation." This evolution extends to the platforming of broader far-right politics, with an article praising Tommy Robinson as "intelligent, quick, articulate, well-informed, good-mannered" cited as an example.
The Spectator's perceived respectability within British media and politics remains intact despite these criticisms. Its summer parties continue to attract prominent figures from across the political spectrum, including Labour and Conservative politicians, as well as journalists who socialise alongside far-right influencers like Nigel Farage.