Harry and Meghan serving as diversion from real issues

[EerieSilence]

I certainly don't get why their SussyExit is still getting so much airspace. The only possibility is that it serves as a diversion from other serious issues. I mean, they even asked her father for an opinion, which is ridiculous.
The fact that the average age expectation in the UK just went down, especially in the poorer areas didn't even warrant more than one article in the Daily Fail (which, while a rag, is still one of the biggest newspapers in the UK).
Labour, naturally, aren't interesting anymore as they managed to destroy themselves from the inside, with no help from the outside needed.
Are they trying to cover up the forthcoming budget conversations or avoid talking about the reshuffling in the Cabinet which resulted in a puppet government full of Cummings's YES SIR sayers?
Please no tin foil hat deserving stuff, I am not into conspiracy theories.

You're writing as if news can only be a daily record of the major issues of the day.

That's what perhaps it needs to be more of, but it's not at all how news companies or readers see it.

Longer narratives such as Megxit/Harry and Meghan are gripping for readers because they are a story with drama and betrayal and all manner of emotions. That will always trump a story on population and statistics, which is of course a hundred times more alarming and important, but has no narrative value.

The weekend story on Meghan and Harry's statement on SussexRoyal brand....that got 26000 + comments on the Daily Mail.

By way of comparison, an average story on smart motorways where there's emotion involved might get 1000 comments. A news story on Labour leadership might get 300 or so.

So this isn't just about "distraction" from main news agendas - it's about selling advertising and the importance of emotion in getting reader's eyeballs on things.

YABU.

Eighty billionth Harry and Meghan thread serving as distraction from the more entertaining AIBUs.

You just said you're not into conspiracy theories and then proceeded to post a conspiracy theory.

I hate to disappoint people but the news just doesn't work like that. It's cock-up, not conspiracy. Journalists are too desperate for stories to work to some coordinated plot to cover up one sort of news for another.

The front page of almost every newspaper in the world today is coronavirus.

Yes, laughing at the conspiracy theory denial

Bread and circuses etc.

@Thenextstorm

1. Insufficient flood defencies causing major flooding and there's more rain on the way.
2. Average life expectancy is dropping, what an achievement in a first world country in the 21st century.
3. UK Government is becoming a puppet show for Dominic.

Yet, the major news is that Harry dropped his prince title. Mind you, I'm not even opening the articles, the headlines give you all the info you need. This is really no conspiracy theory, that's a fact.

OP I agree, it's such a load of old shite, who in their right mind would care given what else is going on?

and a Downing street which wont allow proper briefings by journalists. TBH I think the royals are always trotted out more as a diversion when there is stuff going down that the powers that be dont want real discussion.

YABU for assuming that everyone who reads the Daily Fail ONLY reads that. Most will also read other papers, listen to radio, watch tv, use websites. The Fail is mostly entertainment. It is also good for pictures and brief updates. I doubt many would say it is news.

Anyway no-one could possibly keep up with all the news. Everyone cherry picks depending on age, locality, nationality, sex, business, job, special interest. So YABU to assume that "News" is one thing and that the H and M story is distracting anyone.

Yes OP I was thinking the same thing this morning. There were quite a few papers leading with Meghan and Harry. It's bad when the criteria for a lead story is about clicks.

Anyway getting wise to this and have stopped clicking on these stories - and Piers Morgan!

This thread is the second thing I have seen about Harry since Monday. I haven't seen anything about Meghan till this thread.

If you want them to have less focus, why are you focusing a thread on them, rather than the real issues you feel they are a diversion from?

BBC - top stories - Coronavirus and Floods - follwed by Harry and Police numbers
Economist - Coronvirus and death of Mubarak, economic situation in China - followed by single women losing out on property market deals and lost languages in Singapore.
Corrierre della sera - Coronovirus, investments in Malta, an acquittal in court
Le Monde - Coronovirus, American elections, French politics
The Times - Schools closing due to virus, River Severn floods followed by Harry

So what you mean is that you don't read the Daily Mail - (except you do - obvs).

I don't think anyone needs to "trot them out" though - they're doing that all of their own accord!

There's no conspiracy here. No one is asking Meghan and Harry to do anything on behalf of the Government. YABU

This morning the Express Sun and Mail all had Meghan and Harry in the top 3 headlines. Bloody ridiculous now.

Of course they are a distraction from real issues - what else did you think the royal family was for?

I think the RF are often used as a diversion from politics and real life issues.
It may even be one of the reasons they are kept.

Average life expectancy is dropping, what an achievement in a first world country in the 21st century.

People eat too much,drink too much alcohol and sit on ass.

People are for the most part scream don't body shame me when you point out being a size 20 is something they can do something about.

People wont give a shit about that as they don't want to change.

I’ve been saying this. I think the same about Trump to a certain extent, he serves a purpose as a very good diversion puppet. I think there are even more dangerous forces hiding behind him and the headlines.

No op, this is unfortunately a reflection of our ever dumbing down society. The media is providing content the majority want to read. That content is, unfortunately, trash.

Because it's a real life soap opera with twists and turns and juicy goss to boot! People are equally fascinated and shocked at how they've behaved and are naturally addicted to the next episode. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion. I'm horrified at what they're doing but I can't keep looking. That's why they make the front pages.

@GinDaddy - I never said that Harry and Meghan partake in this circus. I don't think they asked for her father to be asked on his opinion on how they disrespect the Queen or anything else. They just live their lives, try to get as much money as they can out of their sudden free and still royal status (and who wouldn't) and establish their brand.
But the constant dragging out of their everyday activities is getting ridiculous. Look, Meghan doesn't know how to wear her baby in sling! Meanwhile, Andrew gets silently excused from his long time known paedo activities and is embraced (well half) by the Firm again.
While I understand that those stories can make headlines for some simpletons with nothing else to do but obsess about lives of some overprivileged rich people, those headlines seem to multiply whenever there's a serious topic that shouldn't be discussed. Maybe like flood defences or increasing poverty right now (even though that will be sorted out with blue passports, I guess).

If you are talking about newspapers and websites then money and advertising is driving the news agenda. They need eyeballs on stories and what's popular and entertaining brings views. It's not a conspiracy - it's a business.