You may have seen this news item in your social media feeds this week, the story being that scientists have recreated what Jesus may actually have looked like using forensic technology on old skulls found in Israel, and that it's more a typical middle eastern man than the traditional long-haired white bloke of folklore.
What struck me though upon first seeing this wasn't the issue of what Jesus may or may not have looked like, but the fact that this face was first created and publicised on a BBC TV series almost 15 years ago, called Son of God:
What struck me though upon first seeing this wasn't the issue of what Jesus may or may not have looked like, but the fact that this face was first created and publicised on a BBC TV series almost 15 years ago, called Son of God:
There he is, at the side there. As it explains, a single forensic anthropologist named Richard Neave performed the facial reconstruction that was used by the 2001 programme, which I watched at the time, which is why I distinctly remember that face as it was pretty interesting.
What the media have done this week though is clocked that the pic had randomly started going viral after being posted on a website, probably something to do with it being Jesus' supposed birthday month, and have then all jumped aboard in reporting on the image as if it were a fresh story, omitting the fact that it was old news even 10 years ago.
A few examples from the usual culprits:
THE SUN
What the media have done this week though is clocked that the pic had randomly started going viral after being posted on a website, probably something to do with it being Jesus' supposed birthday month, and have then all jumped aboard in reporting on the image as if it were a fresh story, omitting the fact that it was old news even 10 years ago.
A few examples from the usual culprits:
THE SUN
Revealed! Yeah, in 2001. What a scoop.
THE MIRROR
THE MIRROR
"A forensic expert has recreated the face of Jesus" reports the Mirror, not mentioning that it was recreated when Atomic Kitten and S Club 7 were riding high in the charts.
THE DAILY EXPRESS
THE DAILY EXPRESS
"But now a team of forensic experts have come up with what is now believed to be the most accurate portrayal..." declares the Express.
Sadly, it wasn't just the usual suspects but more than 180 news outlets across the world jumping on the creaking bandwagon, not however the BBC or most UK broadsheets.
In this case it wasn't outright lies being peddled, but the lower rungs of the press being extremely disingenuous with the truth in the relentless quest for 'viral' shareable content.
Makes me sadder than usual to be a journalist when this is what the playing field is like these days.
(And coincidentally after my first visit to Jerusalem last month was blighted by another shit journo).
I've sent this to the writers of the above tabloid pieces and await their response, which I'll add in postscript should they arrive.
*postscript: None of the writers have responded, but you can tweet them at:
@SamWebbwriter (Sam Webb, Mirror)
@jonaustinjourn1 (Jon Austin, Express)
@richardhp (Richard HP, Metro)
Liked this? Read this: Jimmy Savile: the worst case of hypocrisy in The Sun's history?
In this case it wasn't outright lies being peddled, but the lower rungs of the press being extremely disingenuous with the truth in the relentless quest for 'viral' shareable content.
Makes me sadder than usual to be a journalist when this is what the playing field is like these days.
(And coincidentally after my first visit to Jerusalem last month was blighted by another shit journo).
I've sent this to the writers of the above tabloid pieces and await their response, which I'll add in postscript should they arrive.
*postscript: None of the writers have responded, but you can tweet them at:
@SamWebbwriter (Sam Webb, Mirror)
@jonaustinjourn1 (Jon Austin, Express)
@richardhp (Richard HP, Metro)
Liked this? Read this: Jimmy Savile: the worst case of hypocrisy in The Sun's history?
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