Daily mail enemies of the people

The Daily Mail's infamous "Enemies of the People" headline!

In 2018, the Daily Mail published a front-page article with the sensationalist headline "Enemies of the People" in response to the Supreme Court's ruling that Parliament must approve the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit). The article was widely criticized for its inflammatory language and perceived attempt to demonize the judges who had made the ruling.

The term "Enemies of the People" was originally used by the Daily Mail to describe the judges who had made the ruling, implying that they were somehow traitors or enemies of the British people. The article sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many accusing the newspaper of trying to undermine the independence of the judiciary and stoke anti-immigrant and anti-EU sentiment.

The backlash was so severe that the Daily Mail's editor, Paul Dacre, was forced to issue a statement apologizing for the headline, saying it was "not intended to be taken literally" and that the newspaper "respects the judiciary and the rule of law." However, the damage had already been done, and the headline became a symbol of the Daily Mail's perceived anti-EU and anti-judiciary bias.

The incident also sparked a wider debate about the role of the media in shaping public opinion and the importance of responsible journalism. Many argued that the Daily Mail's sensationalist headline was a prime example of how the media can be used to manipulate public opinion and undermine democratic institutions.

In the end, the Daily Mail's "Enemies of the People" headline became a cautionary tale about the dangers of irresponsible journalism and the importance of maintaining a free and independent press.