Scotty
20-08-10, 04:24 PM
I was annoyed to read an article in the local free paper recently so felt compelled to write to them this afternoon..
"Sir,
I read an article recently in The Advertiser (dated 27 July 2010) where on page 6 the large headline states “Biker rode past railway red light” in true gutter-press sensationalist style. So what if he did? The entire article focuses on this one motorcyclist, detailing his name and approximate address (useful for anyone wishing to locate a motorcycle to steal) and spends ten paragraphs detailing his misdemeanour, whilst mentioning in passing in the first paragraph that he was one of six road users caught that day. Why didn’t the article cover all six offenders equally, giving all their names and addresses? Surely “Six caught crossing railway red light” would have been a far more proportionate headline? No, not in the eyes of your sensationalist news desk and editorial team. Tell me why a motorcyclist committing an offence is far more newsworthy than five car drivers doing the same thing? If this typifies a narrow-minded and bigoted outlook on the part of the Newbury Weekly News publishing group then be assured that I will never buy any of your publications.
Maybe I should copy this email to the news desk of Motor Cycle News and you’ll be the subject of a vitriolic witch-hunt by their extremist editorial team? If you don’t like that, then you’ll know what it’s like to be a motorcyclist and be on the receiving end of negative sensationalist press at every opportunity.
Yours..."
I'll keep you posted as to any response, and may just send this to More Crap than News to see what kind of a hornet's nest it stirs up... ::)
"Sir,
I read an article recently in The Advertiser (dated 27 July 2010) where on page 6 the large headline states “Biker rode past railway red light” in true gutter-press sensationalist style. So what if he did? The entire article focuses on this one motorcyclist, detailing his name and approximate address (useful for anyone wishing to locate a motorcycle to steal) and spends ten paragraphs detailing his misdemeanour, whilst mentioning in passing in the first paragraph that he was one of six road users caught that day. Why didn’t the article cover all six offenders equally, giving all their names and addresses? Surely “Six caught crossing railway red light” would have been a far more proportionate headline? No, not in the eyes of your sensationalist news desk and editorial team. Tell me why a motorcyclist committing an offence is far more newsworthy than five car drivers doing the same thing? If this typifies a narrow-minded and bigoted outlook on the part of the Newbury Weekly News publishing group then be assured that I will never buy any of your publications.
Maybe I should copy this email to the news desk of Motor Cycle News and you’ll be the subject of a vitriolic witch-hunt by their extremist editorial team? If you don’t like that, then you’ll know what it’s like to be a motorcyclist and be on the receiving end of negative sensationalist press at every opportunity.
Yours..."
I'll keep you posted as to any response, and may just send this to More Crap than News to see what kind of a hornet's nest it stirs up... ::)