Aaron Smith
@aaronsmith333.bsky.social
Tech for work, swimming for sanity, and doing my bit to fight for integrity in our politics. Also at instagram.com/aaronsmith333/
I just heard it. Car crash.
August 27, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I just heard it. Car crash.
You see Ronni, and I quote James directly here, "the Sheik's office made those comments - that's a pretty standard thing".
And I can't be clearer than that.
And I can't be clearer than that.
August 17, 2025 at 6:44 AM
You see Ronni, and I quote James directly here, "the Sheik's office made those comments - that's a pretty standard thing".
And I can't be clearer than that.
And I can't be clearer than that.
Reposted by Aaron Smith
You mean to tell me old mate Matthew didn't turn up today?
So James pretends that comments from an individual - that they directly attributed to this individual man - and who has been in prison for two years, should automatically be known by the public as really his "press office"?
#pffft
So James pretends that comments from an individual - that they directly attributed to this individual man - and who has been in prison for two years, should automatically be known by the public as really his "press office"?
#pffft
August 17, 2025 at 2:37 AM
You mean to tell me old mate Matthew didn't turn up today?
So James pretends that comments from an individual - that they directly attributed to this individual man - and who has been in prison for two years, should automatically be known by the public as really his "press office"?
#pffft
So James pretends that comments from an individual - that they directly attributed to this individual man - and who has been in prison for two years, should automatically be known by the public as really his "press office"?
#pffft
The unanswered question here is who else knew — and who was party to quietly changing the article so substantially.
Surely Knott wasn’t the only one?
Surely Knott wasn’t the only one?
August 17, 2025 at 5:30 AM
The unanswered question here is who else knew — and who was party to quietly changing the article so substantially.
Surely Knott wasn’t the only one?
Surely Knott wasn’t the only one?
I'd be interested to see that comparison. I'd suggest the print edition will be as originally published, and the online edition would be whichever version they published last!
August 17, 2025 at 5:26 AM
I'd be interested to see that comparison. I'd suggest the print edition will be as originally published, and the online edition would be whichever version they published last!
If you managed to get this far but missed the original thread the covers what the SMH did, it's here:
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
You’ll remember the blow-up over Matthew Knott’s SMH piece quoting a Hamas co-founder in what looked like a hit job on Albanese. (Context in the quote tweet below if you aren't up to speed.)
Well, it gets worse, and no one’s noticed. A thread....
/1
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
Well, it gets worse, and no one’s noticed. A thread....
/1
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
Curious that the Sydney Morning Herald suddenly has direct contact with Hamas.
Even more intriguing is that Matthew Knott - once described as a stenographer for pro-Israel groups got the story. (Article in post 2)
Even more intriguing is that Matthew Knott - once described as a stenographer for pro-Israel groups got the story. (Article in post 2)
August 17, 2025 at 1:38 AM
If you managed to get this far but missed the original thread the covers what the SMH did, it's here:
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
This scandal has been covered extensively in a video released this morning by @MichaelWestBiz - a link to the video on YouTube is below;
youtu.be/exSr2Lh0sQg?...
youtu.be/exSr2Lh0sQg?...
SMH Fake Hamas Scoop Exposed | Scam of the Week
YouTube video by The West Report
youtu.be
August 17, 2025 at 1:38 AM
This scandal has been covered extensively in a video released this morning by @MichaelWestBiz - a link to the video on YouTube is below;
youtu.be/exSr2Lh0sQg?...
youtu.be/exSr2Lh0sQg?...
And, by complete coincidence I’m sure, this Sunday on #Insiders the guest will be “Proud Zionist” Tim Wilson.
On the couch? Matthew Knott.
I don't know whether to laugh, or cry.
/end
On the couch? Matthew Knott.
I don't know whether to laugh, or cry.
/end
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
And, by complete coincidence I’m sure, this Sunday on #Insiders the guest will be “Proud Zionist” Tim Wilson.
On the couch? Matthew Knott.
I don't know whether to laugh, or cry.
/end
On the couch? Matthew Knott.
I don't know whether to laugh, or cry.
/end
On a topic this sensitive, it’s indefensible.
This is precisely when journalism must be unimpeachable.
Instead, its credibility is being torched in real time.
/12
This is precisely when journalism must be unimpeachable.
Instead, its credibility is being torched in real time.
/12
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
On a topic this sensitive, it’s indefensible.
This is precisely when journalism must be unimpeachable.
Instead, its credibility is being torched in real time.
/12
This is precisely when journalism must be unimpeachable.
Instead, its credibility is being torched in real time.
/12
These aren’t small edits. They’re substantial and making them without disclosure is unethical.
In print, it’s impossible. Online? Two readers can see 'the same' article hours apart and get different facts.
That's not journalism.
Attached image shows them side by side.
/11
In print, it’s impossible. Online? Two readers can see 'the same' article hours apart and get different facts.
That's not journalism.
Attached image shows them side by side.
/11
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
These aren’t small edits. They’re substantial and making them without disclosure is unethical.
In print, it’s impossible. Online? Two readers can see 'the same' article hours apart and get different facts.
That's not journalism.
Attached image shows them side by side.
/11
In print, it’s impossible. Online? Two readers can see 'the same' article hours apart and get different facts.
That's not journalism.
Attached image shows them side by side.
/11
There’s more, but wading through it is exhausting - the changes aren’t tweaks, they’re a rebuild.
And the only nod to this quiet surgery?
A microscopic first published note in the byline and a limp clarification tacked on at the end.
It’s fig-leaf transparency at best.
/8
And the only nod to this quiet surgery?
A microscopic first published note in the byline and a limp clarification tacked on at the end.
It’s fig-leaf transparency at best.
/8
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
There’s more, but wading through it is exhausting - the changes aren’t tweaks, they’re a rebuild.
And the only nod to this quiet surgery?
A microscopic first published note in the byline and a limp clarification tacked on at the end.
It’s fig-leaf transparency at best.
/8
And the only nod to this quiet surgery?
A microscopic first published note in the byline and a limp clarification tacked on at the end.
It’s fig-leaf transparency at best.
/8
Deleted entirely: a paragraph noting both the LNP opposition and the Israeli Government agreed Labor was “rewarding Hamas.”
I’ve not yet unpacked why it vanished, but I have theories, as I'm sure others do too.
/6
I’ve not yet unpacked why it vanished, but I have theories, as I'm sure others do too.
/6
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Deleted entirely: a paragraph noting both the LNP opposition and the Israeli Government agreed Labor was “rewarding Hamas.”
I’ve not yet unpacked why it vanished, but I have theories, as I'm sure others do too.
/6
I’ve not yet unpacked why it vanished, but I have theories, as I'm sure others do too.
/6
Originally, Knott said it was the first time Hamas had commented on Australia’s decision.
Now, that’s replaced with a line saying Hamas denies Yousef made the statement, (because he’s in prison and isolated).
This denial exists entirely because of what Knott published.
/5
Now, that’s replaced with a line saying Hamas denies Yousef made the statement, (because he’s in prison and isolated).
This denial exists entirely because of what Knott published.
/5
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Originally, Knott said it was the first time Hamas had commented on Australia’s decision.
Now, that’s replaced with a line saying Hamas denies Yousef made the statement, (because he’s in prison and isolated).
This denial exists entirely because of what Knott published.
/5
Now, that’s replaced with a line saying Hamas denies Yousef made the statement, (because he’s in prison and isolated).
This denial exists entirely because of what Knott published.
/5
First change:
Originally — Knott claimed Yousef gave the SMH a direct statement.
Now — it’s “via his office.”
Also new: a concession that Yousef is in prison.
/4
Originally — Knott claimed Yousef gave the SMH a direct statement.
Now — it’s “via his office.”
Also new: a concession that Yousef is in prison.
/4
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
First change:
Originally — Knott claimed Yousef gave the SMH a direct statement.
Now — it’s “via his office.”
Also new: a concession that Yousef is in prison.
/4
Originally — Knott claimed Yousef gave the SMH a direct statement.
Now — it’s “via his office.”
Also new: a concession that Yousef is in prison.
/4
I’ve saved two versions of the article from these exact times: (I'll link them later)
🗓 12:29 pm Wed 13 Aug
🗓 1:49 pm Thu 14 Aug
In just 24 hours it grew by 40%, with whole sections removed and new ones added.
Which version you saw depended entirely on when you read it.
/3
🗓 12:29 pm Wed 13 Aug
🗓 1:49 pm Thu 14 Aug
In just 24 hours it grew by 40%, with whole sections removed and new ones added.
Which version you saw depended entirely on when you read it.
/3
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I’ve saved two versions of the article from these exact times: (I'll link them later)
🗓 12:29 pm Wed 13 Aug
🗓 1:49 pm Thu 14 Aug
In just 24 hours it grew by 40%, with whole sections removed and new ones added.
Which version you saw depended entirely on when you read it.
/3
🗓 12:29 pm Wed 13 Aug
🗓 1:49 pm Thu 14 Aug
In just 24 hours it grew by 40%, with whole sections removed and new ones added.
Which version you saw depended entirely on when you read it.
/3
After the backlash, and an AFR piece (same parent company, see quote tweet) inadvertently called Knott's article into question without explicitly saying so.
The SMH / Knott quietly rewrote the article.
They should've written a new one. They didn't.
/2
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
The SMH / Knott quietly rewrote the article.
They should've written a new one. They didn't.
/2
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
OMFG. AFR says Hamas denies co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef praised Albanese - because he’s been in prison for 2 years.
Hey AFR - maybe wander over to your SMH colleagues and ask why / how they quoted Yousef from prison, because that is now the fucking story.
Link below
/1
Hey AFR - maybe wander over to your SMH colleagues and ask why / how they quoted Yousef from prison, because that is now the fucking story.
Link below
/1
August 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
After the backlash, and an AFR piece (same parent company, see quote tweet) inadvertently called Knott's article into question without explicitly saying so.
The SMH / Knott quietly rewrote the article.
They should've written a new one. They didn't.
/2
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
The SMH / Knott quietly rewrote the article.
They should've written a new one. They didn't.
/2
bsky.app/profile/aaro...