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)

William rumours??? No way. Please tell me it's not true 🥺

@GammyLeg

I’m a news reporter and we have to back up (with paperwork or credible sources) every tiny aspect of our stories before they go to print. Every allegation or fact or we leave ourselves vulnerable to legal difficulties.

I have always wondered why tabloids seem to be exempt from this? How can you say “a place source said the couple have been arguing” when it’s blatantly not true.

This is such a weird question - obviously we're held to exactly the same standards.

If a celeb complains to the MD my editor (and then me) is hauled in to explain where we got the info from/how we stood it up/whether we gave the person an opportunity to comment.

If you haven't been thorough you're leaving yourself open to being sacked and/or sued.

@Stradivari

Really interesting thread! Thank you. My question is: what do you think about headlines as clickbait? Granted this is about web journalism which you said is of poorer editorial quality, but I noticed on the DM last week two stories run about a man in court on charges of sexual assault: the first headline practically called him a rapist (on day 1 of the trial) and two days later reported he had been acquitted. It made me wonder about how people google each other for job interviews and the like nowadays how the DM could get away with it? I mean surely they should wait until he’s convicted before naming him a rapist?

Headlines as clickbait is very annoying. As all journalists will tell you: we don't write the headlines!! (Usually). Once I had a (v v minor) celeb email me in a huge huff because he didn't like the headline on his interview 🙄 it was honestly so benign and he was emailing me all evening while I was trying to put my kids to bed. I was not impressed.

Re convictions - unfortunately that is a quirk of our legal system. You're allowed to name people once they've been charged - not convicted. There is a growing movement to try and have that changed.

The best you can do in the meantime is apply to Google to have it removed from searches, which was introduced following an EU ruling I believe (or maybe ECHR).

Really interesting thread, I think you have held your own very well too OP!

@BoreOfWhabylon I sat next to Michael palin on a train on my way to a university interview (admittedly 22 years ago now ) and he was lovely!

Thank you OP - I’ve really enjoyed this thread.

[quote [AUTO]d3jqakcn9qlt2]Were you ever told to not report a story, or had a story 'hushed' up that has since come into the light? [/quote]

Hmm not that I can think of except the one I mentioned up thread that got in hun red (still hasn't come into the light though ).

Again, the stories I was working on weren't the big news story tbh. I did fluffier, more low-key stuff.

@SuzieCarmichael

Usually the anonymous ‘friend’ of a celebrity who you quote is the celeb themselves, right?

No not always! Sometimes it's just someone in their inner circle or a friend of a friend or a PR or a colleague. Honestly could be anyone really.

@OhhhPeee

Sorry, me again. Are there any stories that you haven’t been able to publish that you think the public should know about? Things that would completely change the public perception of that person? If so, how does that make you feel? Do you tell your close friends/family about them or keep them completely secret?

I think the main was the one that got injuncted but he's not that famous (although definitely has a public profile).

But there are certain people cough possibly mentioned on this thread cough that have a very different rep in public to private and I've definitely gossiped about it but more with colleagues because DH and most of my friends couldn't be less interested

Oh and in terms of how it makes me feel, largely I just think most celebs are hypocrites.

My breakdown of it is most celebrities are there through nepotism (90%), 8% through sheer bloody mindedness (it really is quite hard to become famous) and 2% genuinely fell into it and are nice, grateful people.

That's fair enough but plenty of people (myself included) do

But why? I think people that are into slebrety must have such boring lives.

Why not get into environmental action, for instance.....?

But there are certain people cough possibly mentioned on this thread cough that have a very different rep in public to private and I've definitely gossiped about it. Prince William?

Thank you for this thread OP.

Don't think OP means Prince William! 😬

I absolutely promise this is the last one (maybe!): if 90% of fame comes via family connections/nepotism, in that case, what would you suggest to a complete nobody who wanted to become famous? What would be the best route to go about it?

@YukoandHiro

Hello, I'm a hack too but I work in the broadsheets. Do people inside the red tops secretly want to cross over, or are the my generally happy because the employment conditions are so much better?

Do you think they're that much better? I think most news reporters on tabloids are lifers because they thrive on the cut and thrust of it and view themselves as superior in terms of breaking stories. I believe the tabloids also pay better. The flip side is it's extremely high pressured.

I think there's quite a bit of movement between tabs and broadsheets though, if you look at people like Camilla Tominey etc

@AnImperfectParent

Really interesting thread, I think you have held your own very well too OP!

Thank you

What are your thoughts on Ellen?

It's probably just the pay reward for the hours/commitment that's different. And some semblance of expenses (late shift cab fares home) survive? We've none of that now.
I'm on maternity leave and thinking of going freelance (terrible timing, I suppose) or career change after this... Think I may have burned out, but then journalists are the best company and I can't imagine working in any other environment.

Do you know how many kids Boris has?

@Iflyaway

That's fair enough but plenty of people (myself included) do

But why? I think people that are into slebrety must have such boring lives.

Why not get into environmental action, for instance.....?

Environmental action sounds boring to me 🤷‍♀️ But for those that do it, fab! I'm grateful to them for saving the planet.

I heard a great theory from a sociologist that we gossip about celebrities because we don't live in villages anymore where everyone knows everyone else and so the people that we are all familiar with are celebrities. So we gossip about them.

As for why we gossip at all, well I could write a thesis on that but ultimately it comes down to human nature. I can't help it that I find an interview with Katy Perry talking about Orlando Bloom more interesting than one with say Greta Thunberg talking about electricity or whatever.

@OhhhPeee

I absolutely promise this is the last one (maybe!): if 90% of fame comes via family connections/nepotism, in that case, what would you suggest to a complete nobody who wanted to become famous? What would be the best route to go about it?

Go out with someone famous. Seriously.

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?

Have just noticed that another thread about a super injunction has been taken down. The longevity of this thread is impressive!

@Fromadistance1

What are your thoughts on Ellen?

I'd read rumours about her a long time ago (mostly in terms of dog adoption) that didn't suggest good things. I think she always comes across as really prickly tbh even with guests on her show.

On the other hand, she's a really successful woman - and one of the first out women on TV - and there's a huge amount of jealousy, especially in the talk show world. It doesn't mean she isn't "difficult" to work for but maybe if she were male it would be more accepted than it is.

I am curious as to whether bullying - regardless of sex - is about to have its MeToo/BLM moment of truth.

@YukoandHiro

It's probably just the pay reward for the hours/commitment that's different. And some semblance of expenses (late shift cab fares home) survive? We've none of that now. I'm on maternity leave and thinking of going freelance (terrible timing, I suppose) or career change after this... Think I may have burned out, but then journalists are the best company and I can't imagine working in any other environment.

Yes I was able to expense cabs home from events (and sometimes to..). And yup I think it's like law where you're remunerated for the stress/late nights but then burn out quickly.

@EmilyDickinson

Do you know how many kids Boris has?

It's an age-old secret passed down from one Chairman of the Society of Editors to the next on he is on his deathbed. Once he is told, the new Chairman takes a vow of silence.

No one else is allowed to know.

📜