I used to be a tabloid reporter AMA

[AprilONeil]

Been meaning to offer up a thread on here for a while but tbh have been too nervous, since I know how people round these 'ere parts feel about the tabloids.

Anyway, I used to work as a showbiz reporter on a British tabloid newspaper (would rather not say which one because potentially outing) and have since moved into a more 'worthy' area of journalism.

AMA...

(Dons hard hat)

Hullo! Thanks! Yes I think it’s clear I don’t read The Daily Mail every day! I was talking about newspapers in general because I am aware they have starkly different editorial angles. I’m an English teacher, and chose the Daily Mail as when I teach a lesson on ‘bias’ or ‘emotive language’ or ‘media manipulation’- which I do a few times a year, it’s actually The Daily Mail which is always the one which is the easiest for teenagers to spot. It’s a very good value newspaper to use at GCSE!

But I think it’s teaching those lessons which has made it so obvious to me. I always choose a topical article and look at how it’s written about differently in different newspapers. Only if we’ve got time do we consider why that might be. But increasingly I’ve wondered the logistics of it and whether the journalists are told to take a particular view.

So far, in the 15 or so years I’ve been teaching, and the few times a year I’ve done this with students, I have always found articles in The Daily Mail which I would consider to have a misogynistic tone (usually ‘women think they can have it all, but they can’t), or articles which are, if not racist, inciting fear about asylum seekers and refugees. And both use angry, hyperbolic language to do so. That doesn’t mean I don’t think the journalists are clever- if anything I think I’m more impressed!

I’m really interested in what you’ve said- that it’s partly editorial choice, but also informed by readership. Thanks!

@OhhhPeee

Speaking of Katy Perry, what do you make of the Sidebar of Shame pictures suggesting her bump is fake? Have you heard anything about celebs faking pregnancies and using surrogates? Or do you think these rumours are yet more misogyny?

😮😮😮 I hadn't seen that.

It's the new thing isn't it, with every celebrity pregnancy and it's really weird. And yes, I do think it's a form of sexism.

@Curioushorse

Hullo! Thanks! Yes I think it’s clear I don’t read The Daily Mail every day! I was talking about newspapers in general because I am aware they have starkly different editorial angles. I’m an English teacher, and chose the Daily Mail as when I teach a lesson on ‘bias’ or ‘emotive language’ or ‘media manipulation’- which I do a few times a year, it’s actually The Daily Mail which is always the one which is the easiest for teenagers to spot. It’s a very good value newspaper to use at GCSE!

But I think it’s teaching those lessons which has made it so obvious to me. I always choose a topical article and look at how it’s written about differently in different newspapers. Only if we’ve got time do we consider why that might be. But increasingly I’ve wondered the logistics of it and whether the journalists are told to take a particular view.

So far, in the 15 or so years I’ve been teaching, and the few times a year I’ve done this with students, I have always found articles in The Daily Mail which I would consider to have a misogynistic tone (usually ‘women think they can have it all, but they can’t), or articles which are, if not racist, inciting fear about asylum seekers and refugees. And both use angry, hyperbolic language to do so. That doesn’t mean I don’t think the journalists are clever- if anything I think I’m more impressed!

I’m really interested in what you’ve said- that it’s partly editorial choice, but also informed by readership. Thanks!

You should do a Guardian one about Israel with your kids.

Is it true that the Sun has a secret vault of untellable stories? I’ve heard this, but in a positive way- so things that would absolutely ruin celebs which are kept safe away from foreign journalists who don’t have the same restrictions/laws etc?

@DakotaFanny

Is it true that the Sun has a secret vault of untellable stories? I’ve heard this, but in a positive way- so things that would absolutely ruin celebs which are kept safe away from foreign journalists who don’t have the same restrictions/laws etc?

I've heard a similar thing about the National Enquirer. AFAIK no - especially since there's nothing to stop foreign journalists finding the same story and publishing it.

I imagine the reality is much more boring - there are stories they park simply because of legal challenge or they can't stand them up. Also don't forget staff turnover is quite high in the media and once someone knows a story you can't make them unknow it!

Tbh foreign journos aren't usually that interested in other country's celebs anyway unless there's a national link of some kind or they're super A-list.

Am going to take a short(ish) break and get some sleep but happy to answer more questions tomorrow.

And thanks for the mostly nice responses/questions. I don't even mind some of the more "challenging" ones because I've often had to put people on the spot with inappropriate/hard questions so it would be hypocritical of me to complain tbh!

Really interesting thread! Thanks.

Yes thank you - very interesting!

How much did you earn in a typical year?

Yes, really interesting and entertaining. Thanks for your time OP ,and looking forward to more tomorrow

Thanks so much, fascinating thread!

If you decide to return and answer a few more questions pleease ! ould you comment on what the view of the press is in the McCann situation. Also something which bugs me for obvious reasons; is there any truth about the rumours surrounding Cliff Richard?

Many thanks

Thanks, have enjoyed this thread!

I was once with a friend whose immediate family member was very high profile. Her phone rang and it was the press, they asked for a comment about a particular situation. My friend said "No comment" and I heard the journalist say "Oh well, we'll just make it up then".

The following day the story was all over the press, and I knew that it was all complete rubbish because after my friend put the phone down, she told me what was really going on. She then rang family member and they had a good laugh about it. I was sitting right beside her and could hear both sides of the conversation.

Since then, I can't say I'm inclined to believe everything I read.

Did the job pay well?

This thread is fascinating.

I'm curious to know when you worked for the tabloids? Just to better pick my question

@iklboo

I never said he was a recluse. But he didn't take up sport to become famous. It wasn't his end game.

I knew Mo Farrah (and his now wife) when he worked at Pizza Hut. He wanted to become (rich and) famous.

She does magazine interviews and photoshoots too. They want to be famous.

@Curioushorse

Hullo! Thanks! Yes I think it’s clear I don’t read The Daily Mail every day! I was talking about newspapers in general because I am aware they have starkly different editorial angles. I’m an English teacher, and chose the Daily Mail as when I teach a lesson on ‘bias’ or ‘emotive language’ or ‘media manipulation’- which I do a few times a year, it’s actually The Daily Mail which is always the one which is the easiest for teenagers to spot. It’s a very good value newspaper to use at GCSE!

But I think it’s teaching those lessons which has made it so obvious to me. I always choose a topical article and look at how it’s written about differently in different newspapers. Only if we’ve got time do we consider why that might be. But increasingly I’ve wondered the logistics of it and whether the journalists are told to take a particular view.

So far, in the 15 or so years I’ve been teaching, and the few times a year I’ve done this with students, I have always found articles in The Daily Mail which I would consider to have a misogynistic tone (usually ‘women think they can have it all, but they can’t), or articles which are, if not racist, inciting fear about asylum seekers and refugees. And both use angry, hyperbolic language to do so. That doesn’t mean I don’t think the journalists are clever- if anything I think I’m more impressed!

I’m really interested in what you’ve said- that it’s partly editorial choice, but also informed by readership. Thanks!

How ironic that for a lesson about bias and manipulation in the media you evidence your own bias towards one newspaper. You should look closer at the Guardian if you want evidence of misogyny it’s not hard to spot.

Jonathan Powell did a talk on a training course I attended (quite a fee years ago now) and said that all newspapers play on the fears of their readership, but the DM is unique in that it first creates the fears, then plays on them. What do you think op - fair comment or no? Personally I’m not sure that just applies to the DM any more...!

What event, whether it was a natural disaster, terrorist attack, murder of other saddened and shocked you most?

Are there any stories on politicians that you feel the public should know about but are kept quiet because they are damaging to the political stance of a newspaper?

One of the few AMAs I’ve read from front to back. Thank you!

Do the tabloids pay minor celebrities to produce stories and bikini shots under a retainer? The same women, Liz Hurley, Katie Price, the Towie and Made in Chelsea women appear continuously in the tabloids.

@Patch23042

How much did you earn in a typical year?

Salary was about £30k for a middle-ish reporter role (slightly more junior than senior). That's pretty good for journalism although some of the editors were apparently on 6 figures (no idea if that's actually true though)

@Anordinarymum

If you decide to return and answer a few more questions pleease ! ould you comment on what the view of the press is in the McCann situation. Also something which bugs me for obvious reasons; is there any truth about the rumours surrounding Cliff Richard? Many thanks

How do you mean re Madeleine? I never did hard news so not sure what people's thoughts are internally - the ones who would know the most were the news reporters who've been covering it for years (and there were a few) but I never had the chance to discuss it with them.

Re Cliff Richard, again not that I know of - I certainly never heard anything and obviously he sued (and settled) with the BBC over invasion of privacy (see - it's not only the "rags" who like to invade celebs' privacy)