This is an old revision of this page, as edited by JK the unwise (talk | contribs) at 18:03, 25 November 2006 (Revert to revision 88862617 dated 2006-11-19 20:15:07 by Warofdreams using popups). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 18:03, 25 November 2006 by JK the unwise (talk | contribs) (Revert to revision 88862617 dated 2006-11-19 20:15:07 by Warofdreams using popups)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Searchlight is a British anti-fascist magazine, founded in 1975, which publishes exposés about racism, anti-Semitism, and fascism in the UK.
Searchlight's main focus is on the British National Party (BNP), Combat 18, and other sections of the far right, although it has also published criticism of the United Kingdom Independence Party and sections of the Conservative Party. The magazine is edited by political activist Gerry Gable, and was founded by the late Maurice Ludmer, a lifelong anti-racist and anti-fascist.
Charitable status
At the insistence of the British National Party, Searchlight and the associated Searchlight Educational Trust were investigated by the British Charity Commission as a result of a complaint that claimed that the Educational Trust had been engaging in political activity incompatible with its charitable status.
The Commission's report stated that, in its opinion, the Searchlight Educational Trust had gone beyond the Commission's guidelines on political activities, and found there was a need for a greater distinction between the public activities of Searchlight Magazine and the educational trust. No action was taken as the charity agreed to follow the Commission's recommendations.
Criticism of Searchlight
While Searchlight is, unsurprisingly, subject to great hostility from the far right, its relationship with some left-wing anti-fascists is also extremely poor. Red Action accused them of secretly entering Anti-Fascist Action in order to "manipulate, destabilise and subvert" the group. An anarchist magazine claimed that "Gable has been passing information to Special Branch, MI5, and foreign security services for 20 years; acted as a conduit for misinformation and 'black' propaganda between MI5 and the media (aimed in at least one case in affecting the course of criminal proceedings against fellow journalists); and concealed the existence and activities of at least one Special Branch or MI5 infiltrator inside left-wing groups."
See also
Further reading
- White Noise by Nick Lowles, 96 pages (November 13, 1998), Publisher: Searchlight Magazine Ltd. ISBN 0-9522038-3-9.
- Searchlight for Beginners by Larry O'Hara, 30 pages (June 1996), Publisher: Phoenix Press. ISBN 0-948984-33-3.
External links
Searchlight links
- Searchlight magazine website
- Trade Union Friends of Searchlight newsletter
- Searchlight Information Services Press Pack
- Stop the BNP Searchlight's anti-BNP website
- Operation Wedge: Protecting and educating youth against racism
Public statements
- Select Committee on Religious Offences in England and Wales Written Evidence Submission from Searchlight Information Services by Gerry Gable, vice chair of the Independent Advisory Group to the Diversity Directorate of the Metropolitan Police Service at Scotland Yard.
Left wing criticism of Searchlight
- An article critical of Searchlight from the magazine Green Anarchist
- Searchlight and the State - the first article revealing Searchlight editor Gerry Gable's links with British intelligence.
- Red Action comments on Searchlight
Pro-Searchlight links
- The fight against Racism:Searchlight Article on Searchlight by the Connections history project.
Right wing criticism of Searchlight
- Far right/facist criticism from "Final Conflict The Nationalist Fanzine"
- An article critical of Searchlight by the far-right Spearhead (magazine)
- The Searchlight Archive - articles critical of Searchlight by Alexander Baron, Holocaust revisionist