Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox person | name = Johann Hari | color = | image = Johannhari.jpg | caption = Johann Hari | pseudonym = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|01|21|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]] | occupation = [[Journalist]], [[writer]] | alma_mater = [[King's College, Cambridge]] | nationality = [[British people|British]] | religion = None<ref name=JH20041228/>, describes himself as "anti-theist" [http://www.johannhari.com/2007/02/01/little-atoms-interview-a-transcript] | ethnicity = | period = | genre = | subject = | movement = | notableworks = | spouse = | children = | relatives = | influences = [[Christopher Hitchens]], [[George Orwell]], [[Noam Chomsky]] <small><ref>[http://www.thecommentfactory.com/johann-hari-on-chomsky-hitchens-iraq-and-anarchism-3160/ Johann Hari on Chomsky, Hitchens, Iraq, and anarchism]</ref><ref>http://www.johannhari.com/2009/01/20/-richard-littlejohn-is-mentally-ill-an-interview-with-johann-hari</ref></small> | influenced = | signature = | website = http://johannhari.com/ }} '''Johann Hari''' (born 21 January 1979) is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[journalist]] and [[writer]]. He is a [[columnist]] for ''[[The Independent]]'' and the [[Huffington Post]], and has won awards for his war reporting. His work has also appeared in the ''[[New York Times]]'', the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', ''[[The New Republic]]'', [[The Nation]], ''[[Le Monde]]'', ''[[El Pais]]'', the [[Sydney Morning Herald]] and ''[[Ha'aretz]]''. Hari describes himself as a "European [[social democrat]]", who believes that markets are "an essential tool to generate wealth" but must be matched by strong democratic governments and strong trade unions or they become "disastrous".<ref name="unions">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Think before you vote: do you want Britain to be more like Texas, or more like Sweden? | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =johannhari.com | date = | url = http://www.johannhari.com/2005/03/11/think-before-you-vote-do-you-want-britain-to-be-more-like-texas-or-more-like-sweden- | accessdate = }}</ref> He appears regularly as an arts critic on the [[BBC Two]] programme ''[[the Review Show]]'', and he is a book critic for ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''. He has been named by the ''Daily Telegraph'' as one of the most influential people on the left in Britain,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/6231925/Top-100-most-influential-Left-wingers-100-51.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Top 100 most influential Left-wingers: 100-51 | first1=Iain | last1=Dale | first2=Brian | last2=Brivati | date=27 September 2009 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> and by the Dutch magazine ''[[Winq]]'' as one of the twenty most influential gay people in the world.<ref>[http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/01/winq-magazine-picks-worlds-twenty-most-powerful-gay-men.html DavidMixner.com - Live From Hell's Kitchen]</ref> ==Early life== Hari was born in [[Glasgow]] and has lived in [[London]] since he was a baby.<ref name="abouthari">[http://johannhari.com/pages/about/ Johann Hari]</ref> His father was a Swiss bus driver, while his Scottish mother worked in refuges for victims of domestic violence. Having attended fee-paying [[John Lyon School]] (affiliated to [[Harrow School]]) and [[Woodhouse College]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Hari|first=Johann|title=A simple lesson on schools: Money works|url=http://www.johannhari.com/2004/03/17/a-simple-lesson-on-schools-money-works|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref> he graduated with a [[British undergraduate degree classification#First Class Honours|double first]] in Social and Political Sciences at [[King's College, Cambridge]], in 2001.<ref name="abouthari" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Parker |first=Lewis G. |url=http://www.readplatform.com/platform-meets-johann-hari/ |title=Platform Meets Johann Hari - PLATFORM |publisher=Readplatform.com |date=2008-03-18 |accessdate=2010-07-07}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="whois">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Who Is This Guy? | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =johannhari.com | date = | url = http://www.johannhari.com/pages/about/ | accessdate = }}</ref> ==Politics== ===International affairs=== Hari has reported from many parts of the world, including [[Iraq]], the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], the [[Arctic]], [[Israel]] and the [[Palestinian territories]], [[Venezuela]], [[Central African Republic]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Mexico]], [[Bangladesh]], the [[United States]], [[Kenya]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Tanzania]], [[Rwanda]], [[Peru]] and [[Syria]]. One of his most frequent topics is opposition to man-made global warming. He is a prominent supporter of the climate change protests camps in Britain,<ref name="Heathrow">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = We should all be at Heathrow protesting | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =[[The Independent]] | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-we-should-all-be-at-heathrow-protesting-461337.html | location=London | date=13 August 2007 | accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref> and has reported from Bangladesh, a country he says is doomed to drowning by global warming.<ref name="Bangladesh">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Don't be fooled: advanced and rational societies can commit environmental suicide | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =johannhari.com | date =8 July 2005 | url = http://www.johannhari.com/2005/07/08/don-t-be-fooled-advanced-and-rational-societies-can-commit-environmental-suicide | accessdate = }}</ref><ref name="oil companies">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Don't be fooled: advanced and rational societies can commit environmental suicide | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =johannhari.com | date =4 November 2006 | url = http://www.johannhari.com/2006/11/04/global-warming-is-great-news-for-oil-companies | accessdate = }}</ref> He is a critic of the [[International Monetary Fund]] and the [[World Bank]]<ref name="World Bank">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Wolfowitz isn't the issue; the World Bank is | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =johannhari.com | date =18 March 2005 | url = http://www.johannhari.com/2005/03/18/wolfowitz-isn-t-the-issue-the-world-bank-is | accessdate = }}</ref> arguing instead for global social democracy and a "re-regulation of the global economy."<ref name="market">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Has market fundamentalism had its day? | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =[[The Independent]] | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-has-market-fundamentalism-had-its-day-798314.html | location=London | date=20 March 2008 | accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref> He has campaigned for [[nuclear disarmament]]<ref name="disarmament">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = How the world's hot-spots are turning into Cold Wars... | work = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =27 July 2006 | url =http://www.johannhari.com/2006/07/27/how-the-world-s-hot-spots-are-turning-into-cold-wars- | accessdate = 2007-05-07}}</ref> through support for the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]].<ref name="Proliferation">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Gordon Brown has unwittingly made the case for universal nuclear proliferation | work = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =24 June 2006 | url =http://www.johannhari.com/2006/06/24/gordon-brown-has-unwittingly-made-the-case-for-universal-nuclear-proliferation | accessdate = 2007-05-07}}</ref> He is a supporter of the international [[legalisation of drugs]],<ref name="drug prohibition">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = A midnight raid that shows the folly of drug prohibition | work = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =2006-04-24 | url =http://www.johannhari.com/2006/04/24/a-midnight-raid-that-shows-the-folly-of-drug-prohibition | accessdate = 2007-05-07}}</ref> as he has argued that [[criminalisation]] of drugs causes more problems than drug use itself, particularly in fuelling armed gangsterism.<ref name="heroin addicts">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = The case for providing heroin addicts with safe spaces to shoot up is now unanswerable | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =The Independent | date =24 May 2006 | url =http://www.johannhari.com/2006/05/24/the-case-for-providing-heroin-addicts-with-safe-spaces-to-shoot-up-is-now-unanswerable | accessdate =2007-05-15 }}</ref> He has reported on the effects in [[Mexico]] in particular. Hari has reported from Israel, Gaza and the West Bank,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/appeals/2006-indy-appeal/independent-appeal-what-would-happen-if-the-virgin-mary-came-to-bethlehem-today-429658.html|title=Independent Appeal: 'What would happen if the Virgin Mary came to Bethlehem today?'|last=Hari|first=Johann|date=2006-12-23|publisher=The Independent|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080623011627/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/appeals/2006-indy-appeal/independent-appeal-what-would-happen-if-the-virgin-mary-came-to-bethlehem-today-429658.html|archivedate=2008-06-23|accessdate=2009-10-14 | location=London}}</ref> where he was very critical of Israeli occupation policies, as well as of Hamas and Islamic fundamentalism.<ref name="martyr">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = A review of 'The Road to Martyrs' Square: A Journey Into the World of the Suicide Bomber' by Anne Marie Oliver and Paul Steinberg | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =johannhari.com | date = | url = http://www.johannhari.com/2005/01/30/a-review-of-the-road-to-martyrs-square-a-journey-into-the-world-of-the-suicide-bomber-by-anne-marie-oliver-and-paul-steinberg | accessdate = }}</ref> Hari reported from the [[Second Congo War|war]] in the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]].<ref name="Congo">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = The war the world ignores | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =[[Sunday Independent (South Africa)|The Sunday Independent]] | date = May 14, 2006 | url = http://www.sundayindependent.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3245293 | accessdate = }}</ref> He argued that the Rwandan government invaded to secure economic resources for Western corporations and that the succeeding invasions were effectively by "armies of business" selling Congo's resources to the West. He has also reported from Venezuela's barrios and interviewed [[Hugo Chavez]], whose government he broadly supports, although with some criticisms.<ref name=JH20060514 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=14 May 2006 |title=Hugo Chavez - An Exclusive Interview |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2006/05/14/hugo-chavez-an-exclusive-interview|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> He was banned from [[Dubai]], and his writing blocked from being accessed there, after writing an expose of the country's abuse of migrant workers and of dissidents.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/the-dark-side-of-dubai-1664368.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=The dark side of Dubai | date=7 April 2009 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> He was, in its first year, a supporter of the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] after visiting the country, because he believed any alternative would be better than Saddam, although he always argued the WMD rationale was false. He later wrote his support had been a 'terrible mistake'<ref name=JH20060318 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=18 March 2006 |title=After three years, after 150,000 dead, why I was wrong about Iraq |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2006/03/18/after-three-years-after-dead-why-i-was-wrong-about-iraq|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> and he "should have known all along Bush would produce a disaster." He said he was "ashamed" of what he had argued. He has subsequently been very critical of the occupation and of supporters of the war who still insist they were right. His post-war writings have been praised by [[Andrew Murray (campaigner and journalist)|Andrew Murray]], Chair of the Stop the War Coalition, as "a tremendous service to the worldwide antiwar movement."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/jun/19/hariagainstempire2 | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=In the realm of the senseless | first=Andrew | last=Murray | date=19 June 2006 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> His support for the war was condemned by [[Noam Chomsky]] <ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/review/4977814.stm | work=[[BBC Online]]] | title=Newsnight Review: Johann Hari | date=5 May 2006 | accessdate=8 January 2011}}</ref>, although after Hari said he had been wrong and began investigating US foreign policy more critically, Chomsky praised him for producing "good work."<ref> Chomsky's public lecture at the London School of Economics, 29th October 2009: Audio and video at http://www2.lse.ac.uk/humanRights/events/Chomsky.aspx</ref> Hari later credited his disagreement with Chomsky as having "helped me figure out where I had gone so badly wrong" on Iraq.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-enduring-truth-tellin_b_650579.html | work=[[Huffington Post]] | title=The enduring truth-telling of Noam Chomsky | first=Johann | last=Hari | date=18 July 2010 | accessdate=8 January 2011}}</ref> ===British domestic politics=== [[File:Caroline Lucas + Kate Pickett + Johann Hari at Green Party Spring Conference 2010.jpg|thumb|right|[[Caroline Lucas]], Kate Pickett (author of [[The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better|''The Spirit Level'']]), and Johann Hari speaking about equality, at the spring conference of the [[Green Party of England and Wales]], 2010.]] In 2005, Hari urged his readers to vote for the [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] in Brighton, where they had a realistic chance of winning a parliamentary seat.<ref name=JH20050414 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=14 April 2005 |title=A slap in the face for our political stupidity |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2005/04/14/a-slap-in-the-face-for-our-political-stupidity|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> In all other situations, he urges people to maximise the anti-Tory vote. He argues [[David Cameron]] is more right-wing than is generally understood, and is being disingenuous when he claims he will reduce global warming or child poverty.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-cameron-a-progressive-i-dont-think-so-826276.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Johann Hari: Cameron a progressive? I don't think so | date=12 May 2008 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> He supported some policies of the 1997-2010 Blair-Brown Labour government, such as social programmes like [[SureStart]] and [[child tax credit]],<ref name=JH20050114 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=14 January 2005 |title=Sometimes we should look at what Blair has done - and ignore what he says |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2005/01/14/sometimes-we-should-look-at-what-blair-has-done-and-ignore-what-he-says|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> but also wrote some pieces opposing the government and bemoaned what he saw as a lack of action on tax avoidance.<ref name=JH20050611 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=11 June 2005 |title=Blunkett wants to go after the 'scroungers'. Why not start with the super-rich? |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2005/06/11/blunkett-wants-to-go-after-the-scroungers-why-not-start-with-the-super-rich-|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> He is also a [[Republicanism in the United Kingdom|republican]] who believes the Queen should be replaced as head of state by the Speaker of the House of Commons.<ref name=JH20060417 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=17 April 2006 |title=On her 80th birthday, God Save the Queen... |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2006/04/17/on-her-th-birthday-god-save-the-queen-|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> Prominent themes in his writing have included the plight of [[asylum seekers]], refugees and detention centres<ref name=JH20060423 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=23 April 2006 |title=The right-wing press have no right to be surprised about the rise of the BNP |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2006/04/23/the-right-wing-press-have-no-right-to-be-surprised-about-the-rise-of-the-bnp|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref><ref name="second-class">{{Cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | author-link = | last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = | title = How the British government turned the children of asylum seekers into second-class citizens | newspaper = The Independent | pages = | year =2004 | date = 16 October | url = http://www.johannhari.com/2004/10/16/how-the-british-government-turned-the-children-of-asylum-seekers-into-second-class-citizens | postscript =<!--None-->}}</ref> and in 2004, Hari appeared as a guest on [[Richard Littlejohn]]'s [[Sky News]] programme to debate the issue of exactly how much asylum seekers get in benefits, where he accused Littlejohn of being a "liar".<ref name="asylum-hating">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = The asylum-hating press - and the politicians who appease them - have blood on their hands | work = | pages = | language = | publisher = The Independent | date =2004-04-16 | url =http://www.johannhari.com/2004/04/16/the-asylum-hating-press-and-the-politicians-who-appease-them-have-blood-on-their-hands | accessdate = 2007-05-07}}</ref> Hari is critical of UK prison policies, claiming that [[Rehabilitation (penology)|rehabilitation]] is impossible in overcrowded prisons, and that far too many [[mentally ill]] people are incarcerated.<ref name="crammed">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = How our prisons are crammed with the mentally ill | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =The Independent | date =2005-10-15 | url =http://www.johannhari.com/2005/10/15/how-our-prisons-are-crammed-with-the-mentally-ill | accessdate = 2007-05-07 }}</ref><ref name="Blunkett">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Blunkett's recipe for wasted money and higher crime | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =The Independent | date =9 June 2004 | url =http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=400 | accessdate = 2007-05-13 }}</ref> Hari, who is openly gay, supports [[gay rights]], advocating full legal equality, including [[same-sex marriage]].<ref name="last longer">{{cite news | last =Hari | first =Johann | coauthors = | title = Gay marriages last longer | work = | pages = | language = | publisher = The New Statesman | date =10 September 2001 | url =http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=186 | accessdate = 2007-05-15 }}</ref> He has criticized radical gay theorists, and ideas of gay difference, superiority or separatism.<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=352 The Harvey Milk School - and why gay seperatism will be a disaster : Johann Hari]</ref> Hari is a strong defender of the European Union and supports Britain joining the euro.<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=73 Johann Hari - Archive]</ref> ==Interviewees== Hari has interviewed many leading figures, including [[David Cameron]], [[Tony Blair]], [[Gordon Brown]], the [[Dalai Lama]], [[Hugo Chavez]], [[Salman Rushdie]], [[Martin Amis]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Christopher Hitchens]], [[George Michael]], [[Shimon Peres]], [[William F. Buckley]], [[Abu Hamza al-Masri|Abu Hamza]], [[Laurent Kabila]], [[David Irving]], [[Malalai Joya]], [[Gore Vidal]]. On 28th June 2011, Johann Hari was accused of [plagiarism] because it appeared that in many of his interviews he had taken quotations from previous interviews with his subject by other journalists, or from past writings of his subject, and written them into his interview as if they had been spoken directly to Hari.<ref name=GuardianHari group=HariGate>{{cite news|last=Sabbagh|first=Dan|title=* News * Media * The Independent Johann Hari denies accusations of plagiarism|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/jun/28/law-expert-view-johann-hari-copyright|accessdate=28 June 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 June 2011}}</ref> Hari acknowledged in his blog that he did this, but said that it was not plagiarism as he was not passing off someone else's thoughts as his own, only "carefully reading over all a writer’s books and selecting parts of it to accurately quote at certain key moments to best reflect how they think."<ref name=Hariblog group=harigate>{{cite web|last=Hari|first=Johann|title=Interview Ettiquette|url=http://johannhari.com/2011/06/27/interview-etiquette|work=http://johannhari.com|accessdate=28 June 2011}}</ref> ==Notable secularist and atheist== Hari is a noted secularist and atheist<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/2004/12/28/why-is-atheism-failing-as-a-popular-movement-]</ref><ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/2006/12/20/why-i-love-the-commercialisation-of-christmas]</ref><ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/2005/04/08/history-will-judge-the-pope-far-more-harshly-than-the-adoring-crowds-in-rome]</ref><ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/2000/12/01/a-review-of-corpus-christi-terrence-mcnally-s-play-about-a-gay-jesus]</ref> and has been nominated for the [[Secularist of the Year]] Award by the [[National Secular Society]], of which he is an Honorary Associate. He regards himself as a defender of Enlightenment values and has written in favour of [[free speech]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-free-speech-for-all-abu-hamza-included-465995.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Johann Hari: Free speech for all, Abu Hamza included | date=9 February 2006 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> and against alternative medicine.<ref name=JH20041203 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=3 December 2004 |title=How can intelligent people use alternative medicine? |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2004/12/03/how-can-intelligent-people-use-alternative-medicine-|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> He has defended rationalism, which he believes is under attack from several directions.<ref name=JH20040215 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=15 February 2004 |title='How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World' by Francis Wheen |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2004/02/15/-how-mumbo-jumbo-conquered-the-world-by-francis-wheen|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> A self-described [[antitheist]],<ref name=JH20041228 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=28 December 2004 |title=Why is atheism failing as a popular movement? |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2004/12/28/why-is-atheism-failing-as-a-popular-movement-|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> he has criticised all religions. In particular, he has criticised the [[Catholic Church]]'s stance on [[birth control]]<ref name=JH20060919 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=19 September 2006 |title=The real reasons to hate the Pope |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2006/09/19/the-real-reasons-to-hate-the-pope|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> and Islamist attitudes towards women.<ref name=JH20070429 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=29 April 2007 |title=How multiculturalism is betraying women |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2007/04/29/how-multiculturalism-is-betraying-women|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> He has been accused of Islamophobia, a charge he denies.<ref name=JH20060606 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=6 June 2006 |title=Don't call me an Islamophobe |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2006/06/06/don-t-call-me-an-islamophobe|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> He has also been critical of postmodernist views.<ref name=JH20060513 >{{Cite web|last=Hari |first=Johann |date=13 May 2006 |title='Why Truth Matters' by Ophelia Benson and Jeremy Stangroom |publisher=johannhari.com |url=http://johannhari.com/2006/05/13/-why-truth-matters-by-ophelia-benson-and-jeremy-stangroom|postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->}}</ref> In February 2009, he wrote an article arguing for freedom of speech to extend to the right to criticise all religions, including Islam, after moves at the UN to punish those who "defame religion or Prophets."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-why-should-i-respect-these-oppressive-religions-1517789.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Why should I respect these oppressive religions? | date=28 January 2009 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> A liberal secular Indian newspaper, ''[[The Statesman]]'', republished the article and in response there were riots in Calcutta. The editor ([[Ravindra Kumar (Editor)|Ravindra Kumar]]) and publisher (Anand Sinha) of ''The Statesman'' were arrested on charges of "hurting the religious feelings" of Muslims.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7883612.stm | work=BBC News | title=Pair held for 'offending Islam' | date=12 February 2009 | accessdate=6 May 2010 | first=Subir | last=Bhaumik}}</ref> Hari argued this was further evidence of the erosion of free speech, writing, "Every word I wrote was true. I believe the right to openly discuss religion, and follow the facts wherever they lead us, is one of the most precious on earth – especially in a democracy of a billion people riven with streaks of fanaticism from a minority of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. So I cannot and will not apologize."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-despite-these-riots-i-stand-by-what-i-wrote-1608059.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Despite these riots, I stand by what I wrote | date=13 February 2009 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> He received a substantial number of death threats. Hari opposed [[Pope Benedict XVI]]'s [[Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom|state visit to the UK]] in several articles, and spoke alongside [[Richard Dawkins]] at the major rally against him, arguing that he had been at the heart of an "[[Joseph Ratzinger as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith|international criminal conspiracy]] to cover up [[Catholic sex abuse cases|the rape of children]]."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/15/harsh-judgments-on-pope-religion|title=Letters: Harsh judgments on the pope and religion|work=The Guardian|accessdate=16 September 2010 | location=London | date=15 September 2010}}</ref><ref>''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AASspr178ZY Johann Hari Protest the Pope Speech]''. YouTube, 2010.</ref> ==Public disagreements== ===With George Galloway=== Hari has engaged in a long disagreement with his former Member of Parliament, [[George Galloway]], whom he accused of "supporting a string of dictators" and being a remnant of the part of the left that supported [[Stalinism]].<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=778 Johann Hari - Archive]</ref> Galloway contested this.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070927005347/http://www.respectcoalition.org/index.php?aid=103 RESPECT - The Unity Coalition - In the press]</ref> ===With Niall Ferguson=== In 2006, Hari engaged in a public debate with the historians [[Niall Ferguson]] and [[Lawrence James]] in ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]]'', ''[[Daily Mail]]'' and ''[[The Independent]]'' about the overall effect of the [[British Empire]] in [[India]]. Ferguson viewed British colonialism as, on balance, a positive thing for India, whilst Hari argued that the British Empire was a form of totalitarianism comparable with Stalinism.<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=903 Johann Hari - Archive]</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/niall-ferguson-home-truths-about-famine-war-and-genocide-482314.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Niall Ferguson: Home truths about famine, war and genocide | date=14 June 2006 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=909 Johann Hari - Archive]</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/letters/letters-criminal-justice-system-405208.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Letters: Criminal justice system | date=24 June 2006 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> He has clashed with [[Andrew Roberts (historian)|Andrew Roberts]] for similar reasons.<ref>[http://londonersdiary.standard.co.uk/2009/07/index.html Londoner's Diary | Evening Standard]</ref> ===With the Chapman Brothers=== In 2007, Hari criticised the [[Chapman Brothers]] for adopting an anti-Enlightenment philosophy, and for Jake Chapman saying that the boys who murdered Liverpool toddler [[Murder of James Bulger|James Bulger]] performed "a good social service".<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-the-art-of-subverting-the-enlightenment-435131.html "The art of subverting the Enlightenment".] ''The Independent'', 5 February 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2007.</ref> Jake Chapman responded by calling the article a "fat-faced, ugly [and] four-eyed shot" and claimed the Bulger quote and others had been "stripped from the serious debate in which they belong".<ref name=Independent2007 >{{cite news |title=Letters: Artist suffers literary castration |date=7 February 2007 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/letters/letters-prisons-at-crisis-point-435310.html |first=Jake |last=Chapman | location=London}}</ref> ===With Mark Steyn=== Hari has frequently disagreed with Canadian writer [[Mark Steyn]], particularly on the subject of Muslims. While Hari defends the use of the word 'Islamofascism' to describe jihadis, he has written that "It has been picked up by some people, like the vile Mark Steyn, who seem to think that all Islam is evil. I dislike all religions and would happily see the whittling away of every last church and mosque, but to imply that all Islam is on a par with al-Qa’eda is grotesque."<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=346 What is 'Islamofascism'? : Johann Hari]</ref> Hari has also criticised the use of demographic data in Steyn's writing. In a review of Steyn's book 'America Alone', Hari condemned passages he argued showed Steyn to be celebrating that more "white babies" are born in the US, and his prediction that there will be "evacuations" of white people from France by 2015.<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=1082 'America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It' by Mark Steyn : Johann Hari]</ref> However, when complaints were submitted regarding Steyn's writings to the Human Rights Commissions in Canada, Hari defended his right to free speech, and said he stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Steyn in defence of his right to say "wrong and terrible things."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://blogs.independent.co.uk/openhouse/2008/06/standing-should.html | work=The Independent | location=London | accessdate=6 May 2010}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> ===With Nick Cohen=== In 2007 Hari reviewed [[Nick Cohen]]'s book ''What's Left'' in the American ''[[Dissent (magazine)|Dissent]]'' magazine, where he called for Cohen and others (like Hari himself) who supported the Iraq war from a left-wing perspective to admit they had been wrong and had profoundly misunderstood neoconservatism.<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=1157 "'What's Left' by Nick Cohen: A book review, and a eulogy for the pro-war left"], ''Dissent'', 20 July 2007, as reproduced on Johan Hari's website.</ref> Cohen argued that Hari's review was "Maoist", "deceitful" and "a nervous breakdown in print", among other things.<ref>[http://www.dissentmagazine.org/online.php?id=30 "'What’s left?', ''Dissent''], as reproduced on Nick Cohen's website.</ref> Hari responded by offering quotes from Cohen's writing which he argues backed up his claims and accusing Cohen of "a baffling denial of his own words".<ref>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=1161 "A response to Nick Cohen's response: Bizarre denials and hyperbole"], ''Dissent'', 29 July 2007, as reproduced on Johan Hari's website.</ref> Soon after they were both nominated for the [[Orwell Prize]], which Hari won. ===With CAMERA and HonestReporting=== The organizations [[HonestReporting]] and [[Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America]] have criticised Hari for his reporting on the [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/new/Johann_Hari_Back_With_a_Vengeance.asp |title=Johann Hari: Back With a Vengeance |publisher=Honestreporting.com |date=15 March 2010 |accessdate=2010-06-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stotsky |first=Steven |url=http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=62&x_article=1313 |title=A Promising Career at the Independent |publisher=CAMERA |date=30 April 2007 |accessdate=2010-06-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/new/More_Smears_By_Hari.asp |title=More Smears By Hari |publisher=Honestreporting.com |date=23 September 2008 |accessdate=2010-06-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-israel-is-suppressing-a-secret-it-must-face-816661.html |first=Johann|last=Hari|title=Israel is suppressing a secret it must face |publisher=The Independent |date=28 April 2008 |accessdate=2010-06-17 | location=London}}</ref> Hari disputes these claims and says they are part of a "campaign to smear anybody who tries to describe the plight of the Palestinian people."<ref name=jh20080508>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-the-loathsome-smearing-of-israels-critics-822751.html |first=Johann |last=Hari|title=The loathsome smearing of Israel's critics |publisher=The Independent |date=2008-05-08 |accessdate=2010-06-14 | location=London}}</ref> Hari points out the quote they claim as false is from Professor [[Ilan Pappé]]'s book ''The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine'',<ref name=Pappe2006 >{{Cite book |last=Pappé |first=Ilan |year=2006 |title=The ethnic cleansing of Palestine |publisher=Oneworld |isbn=9781851684670 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref> and that the individuals these organizations praise for their coverage of Israel include [[Alan Dershowitz]] and [[Melanie Phillips]].<ref name=jh20080508/> Hari has been defended on this issue by [[Andrew Sullivan]], who said that the "fundamental desire [of these groups] is not to engage in debate about Israel and Palestine, but to control the debate with smears and character assassinations."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/02/the-predictable-vile-smearing-of-israels-critics.html|first=Andrew|last=Sullivan|date=15 February 2010|title=What Often Happens To Israel's Critics I}}</ref> ==Awards== * "Environmental Commentator of the Year" at the Comment Awards 2010<ref>[http://www.commentawards.com/awards2010/2010-Winners Award Categories the Comment Awards]</ref> * ''Newspaper Journalist of the Year'' at [[Amnesty International Awards]] 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10058 |title=AIUK : Media Awards |publisher=Amnesty.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2010-07-02}}</ref> * [[Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism]] 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/wire/6554 |title=Johann Hari picks up Martha Gellhorn Prize |publisher=Blogs.pressgazette.co.uk |date=2010-05-24 |accessdate=2010-07-02}}</ref> * ''Journalist of the Year'' at the [[Stonewall Awards]], 2009<ref>{{cite news |title=Independent journalist wins Stonewall award |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/independent-journalist-wins-stonewall-award-1816698.html |work=The Independent |date=7 November 2009 |accessdate=7 November 2009 | location=London}}</ref> * ''Cultural Commentator of the Year'' at the [[Comment Awards]], 2009<ref>[http://www.commentawards.com/Awards/2009-Winners-1 Award Categories - the Comment Awards]</ref> * Author of ''Story of the Year'' at the [[Environmental Press Awards]] 2008<ref>[http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=42532 Winners announced for Environmental Press Awards - Press Gazette]</ref> * The [[Orwell Prize]] for political journalism, 2008<ref>[http://www.theorwellprize.co.uk/the-award/winners-books/johannhariinterview.aspx The Orwell Prize | Johann Hari | Exclusive interview]</ref> * [[Amnesty International]] Newspaper Journalist of the Year in 2007<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/review/4977814.stm | work=BBC News | title=Johann Hari | date=5 May 2006 | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> * One of [[Debrett's]] top 100 international 'People of the Year' in 2007{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} * 'Young Journalist of the Year' at the [[British Press Awards]] in 2003<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/ | work=The Independent | location=London | accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> * 'Student Journalist of the Year' by [[the Times]] in 2000<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/4269797.stm | work=BBC News | title=This week's panel | date=16 February 2005}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== *[http://www.johannhari.com/ JohannHari.com] Official website, featuring an archive of his writings. *[http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/ Articles for the ''Independent''] *[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari Articles for the Huffington Post] *[http://twitter.com/johannhari101 Hari on Twitter] *[http://www.littleatoms.com/sounds/johannhari.mp3 Interview] with Johann Hari on [[Resonance FM]]'s Little Atoms chat show. *[http://www.democracynow.org/2006/8/7/the_war_the_world_ignores_a Hari discussing Congo] on Democracy Now *[http://laanta.blogspot.com/2005/11/johann-hari-interviews.html Commentary] on Interview with Hari *[http://laanta.blogspot.com/2005/11/johann-hari-interviews.html Sudan Tribune article] about Hari's commentary on the role of corporations in Darfur *[http://www.facebook.com/johann.hari?ref=ts Facebook Profile] {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> | NAME = Hari, Johann | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH = 21 January 1979 | PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]] | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Hari, Johann}} [[Category:Articles with inconsistent citation formats]] [[Category:1979 births]] [[Category:Alumni of King's College, Cambridge]] [[Category:Atheism activists]] [[Category:British atheists]] [[Category:British journalists]] [[Category:British republicans]] [[Category:British writers]] [[Category:Drug policy reform activists]] [[Category:Gay writers]] [[Category:LGBT journalists]] [[Category:LGBT writers from the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Glasgow]] [[Category:Social democrats]] [[Category:The Independent people]] [[de:Johann Hari]] [[fr:Johann Hari]] [[la:Ioannes Hari]]'