The Telegraph and Reform UK are facing claims of undermining public interest journalism and eroding trust between reporters and politicians, after Nigel Farage’s party gave the newspaper stories first uncovered by other outlets.
It is understood there is unease among editorial staff at the Telegraph about Reform’s repeated use of the outlet for “spoilers”: a media tactic designed to pre-empt a problematic story by placing it with a title seen as more sympathetic.
That everyone does it – some better than others – is true. What is being complained about is that the bad people are proving to be better than some others at it. That’s it, that’s the whinge.
Some senior media figures privately argue there is nothing new about Reform’s “spoiler story” tactic, comparing it to New Labour’s news management – and favouring of certain reporters – in the 2000s. However, other media experts said Reform’s stories with the Telegraph were different.
‘Coz they’re bad people, see?
They will try anything, as they have with Trump (though Farage is sadly no Trump). I wonder what his odds are of dying in a car crash or bizarre gardening accident over the next couple of years.
Latest on is some strange story about the leader of Reform in Wales who ha been accused of assault, but not charged.
( Also the use of Trojan horses : standing for Reform, then resigning. There is a lot if this going on. A Senedd member did it yesterday. Judging by her resignation letter, she’s some raving pinko. I guess she was accepted to show some diversity of thought. )
I read it as her thinking “new party, I can get some influence here!” then not getting her way, so yesterday the toys came out of the pram.
Remember that Reform collaborated with Hope Not Hate to weed out ‘unsuitable’ candidates.
Remember that.
Pretty surreal tactic.
Or just straight up murder him like they did Ann Widdecombe. Paint a target on him and wind up some lefties, result: no more Nigel.
That’s what the much-criticised (by the left) £5M was intended to guard against!
Which is why the left were so outraged…
… eroding trust between reporters and politicians …
There shouldn’t be any trust between reporters and politicians, from either side.
“Journalism is to politician as dog is to lamp-post. – H. L. Mencken”
Although, these days it often works the other way around.
Nobody ahould trust politicians or journalists
“Public interest journalism” equals reporting that reinforces the biases of the credentialed people working for the state-funded media outlet.
Somehow they never seem to think Nick Shirley was doing public interest journalism.
Shirley they can’t be serious?
Roy Campbell Greenslade of the Groan was thus nicknamed because Alistair Campbell fed him stories all the time.
NeoCommie speak translation:
“public interest journalism” = my Opinion hatepiece on whatever has got my panties in a knot this time.
“trust between Journalists and Politicians” = politicians should just tell me everything I want to know, without question, so that I can write my Opinion hatepieces and get paid.
“spoilers” = They didn’t go to me first, the bastards!!
“problematic story” = something happens that is outside the scope of my blinkered worldview. ReeEEEee!!!
etc. etc. etc. ….
Re: The Telegraph – I have just been invited to renew my annual subscription to the online edition. The price? £239! A bit of a jump from last year’s £49.
Is that all they’re paying you?
£239? You sure?
“To ensure that you continue to receive the highest quality journalism from The Telegraph, we’re changing the price of your All Access Subscription
The decision to increase our prices is never taken lightly. However, it is essential that we are able to continually invest in bringing you award-winning journalism, new products and the best possible experience.
Your annual price will be: 239.00 GBP.”
(This is about double last year’s starting price which I massaged down by threatening to cancel.)
Fuck me. PressReader is your friend.