Truth on the Sidelines: Amsterdam Riots Expose Mainstream Media’s Role in Spreading Misinformation

Acknowledging that Elon Musk is right about something is disheartening, especially when considering his true intentions behind the purported defense of free speech. Musk doesn’t champion free speech in a general sense; rather, he advocates for his own expression and ideological stance.

However, Musk is correct in asserting that social media platforms are essential for uncovering truths that mainstream media sometimes conceals. It is the sobering reality that without platforms like X, the prevailing narrative might portray Israeli supporters as victims rather than recognizing them as aggressors in incidents that occur, such as the events following a football match in Amsterdam.

Elon Musk’s agenda is troubling, deplorable even. His social network has consistently harbored both Nazi and pro-Israeli content, alongside misinformation and disinformation, playing a significant role in shaping political discourse that contributed to Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president. Despite these negative aspects, social media remains one of the few, if not the only, spaces where the public can access firsthand accounts when traditional media chooses to obscure the facts.

As a journalist, I understand the weight of my words. It’s one thing to present information with a particular bias or ideological perspective, which inevitably influences newspapers, articles, or coverage. However, it’s entirely different to deliberately lie, hide facts, selectively present information to support an argument, and fabricate reality – as, for example, does Musk and his supporters on X and other platforms.

Hopefully, Bluesky will be able to surpass X and, so far less toxic, more open, and with better tools to actually control what you see and with whom you interact, become a relevant tool in the future. But that’s not the case yet.

In many cases involving Palestine, media trustworthiness is questionable—not due to superficial issues like clickbait headlines, but because the coverage is deeply ideological. This is evident in the media’s reporting of the riots in Amsterdam. Most news outlets portrayed the events as if innocent football supporters of an Israeli team—or even simply “poor Jews”—were brutally attacked by Arabs, depicting the latter as a violent mob deserving severe repercussions. This narrative not only fuels far-right sentiments but is also a complete fabrication.

As noted by journalist Ishaan Tharoor:

“I’m not sure I’ve seen a bigger gap between Western media coverage of an event and the online social media tracking of it (that significantly preceded news stories) than in the coverage of the unrest/violence in Amsterdam. Well before the apparent incidents of violence that followed the game, my feed was full of videos of Maccabi fans singing racist songs and attacking local people of Arab descent. None of that seems to be reflected in most headlines, which focus on the attacks that followed.”

While violence is never the answer—a stance I agree with—there is a crucial distinction between attacking peaceful football supporters because of disagreements and engaging in self-defense. We are at a historical juncture where self-defense against violent genocide-mongers disguised as football fans—including at least one IDF soldier and Mossad agent—is mischaracterized as antisemitism and pogrom, with the media not only hiding the facts but also fabricating a misleading narrative.

It took a few days, but Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam, recognized that there was no ‘pogrom’ in the streets of the city and that the information circulating via social networks was the truth—not media manipulation and pressure from the Israeli government and its false version of the facts. Meanwhile, Israelis also attacked French supporters inside Stade de France, near Paris, during a League of Nations match, showing once again the violent character of football hooligans.

Ironically, those who use “self-defense” to justify genocide and the murder of innocent children in Gaza fail to understand its proper application—when individuals attacked by mobs of Zionist hooligans respond to defend themselves. It is both acceptable and human to have biases and to interpret facts through a specific lens, provided the facts remain intact and are not manipulated to fit a particular perspective. However, the media’s coverage of the Amsterdam riots largely ignored these facts, exacerbating


Comments

One response to “Truth on the Sidelines: Amsterdam Riots Expose Mainstream Media’s Role in Spreading Misinformation”

  1. Zero Charisma Avatar
    Zero Charisma

    Isn’t it charming how the media spins tales faster than a Dutch cyclist on a caffeine high? 🚴‍♂️ Who needs reality when you’ve got a narrative to sell, right? 😂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Shares and Voting Rights as of

Shares and Voting Rights as of

Press ReleaseThis article is based on a press release or official communication from Wire News Service. The European Times republishes it as a public service.

REGULATED INFORMATION
Courbevoie, France – June 5, 2026
Information on number of shares and voting rights as provided by article 223-16 of the general regulations of the French financial markets authority AMF
Issuer: Bureau Veritas

Dat

Read More

EU Progresses Toward ‘Membership-Lite’ Plan for Candidate Countries

EU Progresses Toward ‘Membership-Lite’ Plan for Candidate Countries

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia have all applied to join the EU, waiting for years during ongoing discussions. Offering pre-accession benefits to these countries is seen as a way to prevent disillusionment. According to two diplomats familiar with the talks, leaders also agreed that the EU accession process should be expedited.
European Council President An

Read More

Progress Toward Framework in 2026 Iran Nuclear Talks Despite Challenges

Progress Toward Framework in 2026 Iran Nuclear Talks Despite Challenges

WASHINGTON, June 5 – Eurotoday — Iran Nuclear Talks 2026 have reached a critical junction as diplomats scramble to formalize a framework that could end months of active military hostilities. Following the April 8 ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, indirect discussions between Washington and Tehran have intensified, focusing on the future of Iran’s atomic infrastructure and the lifting of stringent e

Read More

EU Parliament Dialogue Centers Human Connection in AI Health Debate

EU Parliament Dialogue Centers Human Connection in AI Health Debate

Religious, philosophical, and child-rights groups are set to convene in Brussels to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming well-being, isolation, and digital risk.
The European Parliament is organizing an Article 17 TFEU dialogue seminar on June 9, 2026, focusing on health and well-being in the AI era. This event will bring together faith communities, secular groups, child-rights adv

Read More

Putin to Zelenskyy: No Peace Talks — and Don’t Call Me Old

Putin to Zelenskyy: No Peace Talks — and Don’t Call Me Old

“There is growing fatigue with Russia — even among those globally who assist in bypassing sanctions and sustaining your economy. After 26 years in power, age is impacting you. Over time, fatigue with you will only increase,” wrote Zelenskyy.
Putin mentioned he has not rejected a meeting but proper arrangements need to be established first, based on an agreement with U.S. President Donald Tru

Read More

Nine Migrants Deported to Congo Return Home from Kinshasa

Nine Migrants Deported to Congo Return Home from Kinshasa

DAKAR, June 5 – Eurotoday — US Migrant Deportation Policy has come under intense global scrutiny following reports that nine migrants, previously removed from the United States to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have returned to their home nations. This development marks a significant point in the ongoing debate surrounding the administration’s “third-country” removal strategy, which invol

Read More

EU Nature Investment Initiative Redefines Water and Biodiversity as Economic Infrastructure

EU Nature Investment Initiative Redefines Water and Biodiversity as Economic Infrastructure

Brussels aims to integrate ecosystem restoration into Europe’s competitiveness strategy.
Europe’s new approach to competitiveness extends beyond factories, chips, or cheaper energy. During EU Green Week 2026, Brussels emphasized nature investment as key to economic resilience, highlighting water, soil, biodiversity, and climate adaptation as crucial business infrastructure and environmenta

Read More

"Albanian PM Defends Kushner Resort Against Protestors: ‘If It Wasn’t Jared, They Wouldn’t Care.’"

"Albanian PM Defends Kushner Resort Against Protestors: ‘If It Wasn’t Jared, They Wouldn’t Care.’"

“If it was not Jared, they would not care about what is happening in Albania,” said Rama at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat, Montenegro.
He claimed that “Trump haters” had helped amplify the protests — a cause he described as noble despite rejecting the criticism surrounding the project.
The planned luxury resort — backed by Qatari and local investors, potentially fe

Read More

101 and Still Going Strong: Meet Henri, a Brave Belgian Warrior

101 and Still Going Strong: Meet Henri, a Brave Belgian Warrior

Today’s world leaders should heed the “mistakes” of the past or face the consequences, warns Count Henri d’Oultremont, who celebrates his 101st birthday this Sunday (31 May).
As one of only three known Belgian survivors of the famous Piron Brigade, Henri knows what he is talking about.
The Belgo-Luxembourg unit went down in military folklore after it took part in the Liberation of Normandy and Be

Read More

Women’s World Cup Qualifiers Test Europe’s Football Depth

Women’s World Cup Qualifiers Test Europe’s Football Depth

Europe’s women’s national teams are approaching a crucial June period, with direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, play-off spots, and promotion or relegation all on the line. The fixtures not only test sporting skills but also reflect the progress and remaining challenges in advancing women’s football in Europe to make it more widespread, visible, and sustainable.
A Dec

Read More