To do ‘something’ about this magazine?

[WhatsAppening]

We had some copies of a new local community magazine dropped off where I work (pub).

I was idly flicking through on my break. OMG.

So the format is LH page is jokes, RH is ads.

The jokes are HIDEOUS. Lots of sexist, smutty ones. One about a Red Indian. One about an Irishman. The worst for me was a whole thing about what women say v what they mean, which included ‘no means maybe, maybe means yes and yes means she’s not marriage material’.

There’s a number and email address for sales on the mag. I’m really tempted to call and say wtf. Somebody has written this and then presumably other people have okayed it.

I can’t imagine the advertisers are thrilled either.

Oh and I’ve obviously chucked all the copies but one in the bin. Vile.

Eugh. Sounds like a bunch of old white men probably "approved" it.

I challenged the 'red indian' one on a woodland group on FB. I'm of Native American descent and it's one that riles me. It's a racist term.
I also messaged a local newspaper who was still using 'man' instead of staff. Use of language is important.

I think you should complain, it sounds awful.

Ugh. I ran a little local magazine about 20 years ago, and the stuff you’ve mentioned wouldn’t have made it into print then, let alone now. It probably has a really small staff, two or three people, so they probably don’t have enough moderating voices. I would definitely complain, and encourage friends etc to complain as well, and if you know any of the advertisers ask them to complain. Ultimately, it will only be advertisers’ complaints that hold any sway as the production of the mag will be entirely dependent on advertising money.

Send an email, not a phone call.

Agree with contacting the advertisers.

People who are happy to print that sort of shit will just label you a joy sucking spoilsport PC feminist. But of course they'll listen to the advertisers

@Helenahandkart

Ugh. I ran a little local magazine about 20 years ago, and the stuff you’ve mentioned wouldn’t have made it into print then, let alone now. It probably has a really small staff, two or three people, so they probably don’t have enough moderating voices. I would definitely complain, and encourage friends etc to complain as well, and if you know any of the advertisers ask them to complain. Ultimately, it will only be advertisers’ complaints that hold any sway as the production of the mag will be entirely dependent on advertising money.

20 years ago I was a teenager and I still remember those ads for mobile phone background wallpaper including one ive never forgotten: “thousands of my potential children died on your daughters face last night”. Yes, this was a teen mag.

They're just jokes to me.

I would write to the companies advertising there rather than to the magazine itself.

Yup. Contact as many of the advertisers as you can and tell them that you just dumped their adverts straight in the bin. Point out that you a centre of the community (no need to name the pub) and you could have been a useful source of leads for them. Suggest that they distance themselves from this.

@BlusteryLake

Eugh. Sounds like a bunch of old white men probably "approved" it.

Blimey, the irony in this post.

Also how about the ASA

www.asa.org.uk/

Sounds like you would need to complain about the whole mag.
Give them a ring and ask them what they think eh?

or if it is a franchise, contact the franchiser bet they wouldn't want their reputation tarnished.

These magazines are very useful to a lot of people, especially in Covid.

I agree with PP's about contacting the advertisers; on a much grander scale, circulation-wise, I believe that was what sunk the "News of the World".

In which century was the publication date?