Thursday 21 May 2009

How the media works

There are some basic tenants on which the media are formed, especially with relevance to the tabloid press.
Their favourite is claiming every story as an EXCLUSIVE!!! Another technique which they employ often is to make up a story (generally claiming that the public are outraged about it) and then run with the story as gospel truth in the following days and weeks, usually inventing reactions to the story as well for as long as they think it will sell papers.

I present to you a particularly appalling and un-subtle (even for them) effort from The Sun.
Part 1
Part 2

The first story "We'll sue Man Utd" features zero quotes from any of the clubs involved. In fact on the day of the story being published all 3 of the clubs mentioned categorically denied any intention on their part to sue Man Utd no matter what team they play against Hull. So I think it would be fair to say that this story was a complete fabrication, or to put in simple language for the Sun journos: YOU FUCKING MADE IT UP

You would think at this point that The Sun would just forget about it and move on to a crazy transfer rumour of some sort. Unfortunately they decided to just carry on anyway with "Hull of a U-turn Fergie"

1. Fergie was never quoted or mentioned as wanting to field a weakened team. In fact his only comments have been that Rio Ferdinand would play to prove his fitness. Never has he mentioned anything about any other players being involved, or not as the case may be.
2. How did it take 2 journalists to write a story containing 248 words?
3. Awful, awful punnage in the headline.

SunSport revealed yesterday relegation-haunted Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland are furious at the prospect of United playing a shadow side.

SunSport made up yesterday a load of lies about 3 football clubs suing Man Utd but now they have issued clear denials we are going to pretend we said they were furious instead.

But after a day of talks between Premier League chiefs and the clubs, United have promised they will change their plans for the weekend.

Now we have realised that we are going to look stupid when Fergie plays a reasonably strong team we have decided to make up some more bullshit without any sources quoted whatsoever to cover our own backs.

Boss Alex Ferguson kicked off the compromise by saying Rio Ferdinand must prove his fitness at Hull ahead of the Champions League final three days later.

Can we find some quotes to back this up? Can we fuck, we'll just have to paraphrase something Fergie said earlier in the week and make it sound like he is backing us up.

That is a major shift from Fergie's original plan - which angered the trio of North-East clubs - to play only Fletcher from his normal starting XI.

Quick we haven't lied for the last 2 sentences, throw another one in to confuse them.


Congratulations to The Sun for producing some of the worst journalism I have ever read. And in this country that is saying something.

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