To think 'bastard' is an unacceptable word for a front-page headline?

[IcouldstillbeJoseph]

I see that Mick Philpott was referred to as a 'bastard' on the front page of one of the tabloids today (I didn't linger to see which one). Now, I'm not saying the word is inappropriate in regards to his crime but I was under the impression it's still a swear-word and surely a national paper ought to be capable of a clarity of expression without resorting to swearing?

It was The Sun.

I wondered about that too.

Our local paper had 'porn king' on the front once & received complaints.

were his parents married?

Tabloids are toxic, I'm sure the editor would argue that the word Bastard was giving a clear message.

It's sad that people do this, but it's called gutter press for a reason.

I have absolutely no problem with the word "fucker" on the front page of a national newspaper, as long as it captions a photograph of Certain Politicians Who Shall Remain Nameless. Sometimes a swear word is the mot juste.

I do agree with you. It doesnt look good on the paper stand. But at the end of the day he is a bastard. Actually what i would call him is unprintable.

YANBU at all. It is an unacceptable word for a newspaper headline, independent of the subject matter.

I have no moral high ground as I have a mouth like a sewer, but even I was to hear my DD spell out bastard this morning!

Was it spelled out? Or B***d

In this particular persons case, id have no issue with Murdering Fucking Cunt.

But that's probably too accurate.

I did a double take when I saw that headline too!!

I give you the front page of the Irish Daily Star on the day it was discovered what had happened to the economy

not pulling many punches

Ah no, it's a word that the tabloids save for occasions such as this. The only other instance I can think of it being used is to describe Thompson and Venables (the killers of James Bulger).
It seems to be used to describe a particular type of person who commits a crime, someone who is undesirable and unsavoury before they've committed the crime.
The daily mail's headline is equally vile, as they've tried to turn the tragic deaths of 6 children into a politically motivated attack on the welfare state.
A heinous crime was committed and 6 children have lost their lives and the tabloids are only interested in how far they can milk the situation for their own gain.

Oh well if it was spelled out then that is wrong. We all know he is a bastard anyway, no need for kids to read words like that. Especially in a 'family newspaper' as they love to call themselves

montage I absolutely love that

I don't think they were allowed use Murdering Cunts.

Should have said cunt instead. Bastard is too nice of a word for that
Murdering wasteful piece of shit!!!

YABU to expect decency of any sort from The Sun.

Had a day off yesterday and a family day trip to the city centre - we went to the little Sainsburys when we arrived to get some supplies and I was more than a bit at being confronted by the word BASTARD within 15ft of the door and at DSS2 (6)'s eyelevel...

Well, it's just a word. I find pictures of corpses worse, particularly the graphic ones at the very moment of death used of Ghadaffi. And children smaller than those able to read will get the message from a picture.

I emailed Morrison's about why they thought it was appropriate to let young children view the word 'bastard'. Unfortunately their email filters blocked the mail due to 'inappropriate language used'.

Oh the irony.

yabu, he is a bastard.