The newspapers have changed their tune this morning

[Ifeel1000yearsold]

Just that really. Headlines now saying lockdown until June. Very different from yesterday’s headlines.

The Stay Home/Protect the NHS/Saves Lives
slogan - usually repeated half a dozen times at every briefing. Hancock is a master at this. Peston: What about testing? Hancock: We are making huge advances, but for now, we must Stay Home/Protect....you know the rest.
Since Wednesday, it hasn't been mentioned. Not used once. Still on their little stands, but not said. And the media said as we are approaching the 2nd Phase it will possibly be changed. Why? Do they not want people to stay home this weekend? Have they not seen what muppets people turn into - a bank holiday weekend, good weather for tomorrow...?
No wonder people are confused.

And New York and London have a similar population density but New York deaths are much higher than London’s?

New York’s numbers are frightfully alarming and I feel they have been badly let down by their government. Their death toll ran parallel to ours for some time and are now stands at 26k approximately with a city population of 8 million (compared to 66 million in this country if anyone needs that in context).

My heart goes out to their communities who appear to be so tight knit. The impact of such a huge loss to the city is going to be felt keenly when they’re on the other side of this. Their mayor appears to be handling things as well as he can given the circumstances but the aftermath of this is not going to be pretty. I believe at one point he had to threaten to leave the union. I can’t believe any American would utter those kinds of threats lightly and there are reports of state leaders having to hide their PPE supplies because they’re being commandeered by federal agents.

It’s utterly horrifying and not a situation I thought I’d ever witness.

@SophieB100

Word is they’re going to change ‘Stay Home’ to ‘Stay Safe’. Which makes no sense because surely it’s not just about keeping yourself safe, but protecting others.

The message in the briefings may have been clear but the government have been feeding stories to the media which carry a different message.

This stuff is coming from government, it’s not simply being plucked out of thin air.

New York's population density is double that of London.

www.6sqft.com/maps-compare-nycs-footprint-to-other-cities-around-the-world/

I agree with @Sunshinegirl82 that a lot of the mixed messages from the last few days stem from from Johnson having to face Starmer for the first time in PMQs. His usual bumble and bluster was no match for a seasoned cross-examiner in Starmer. He fell into making vague statements and impossible promises (Matt Hancock was shaking his head when Johnson promised 200k tests/day by the end of the month - was clearly not something they had discussed beforehand).

Does anyone believe the papers anyway?

I'm on no doubt that the media launching their hare-running headlines of the "Hurrah - end of lockdown on Monday!" variety was driven by the government.

They know perfectly well that the majority don't want it lifted because we know it will send deaths soaring. But the government know that if they 'encourage' the dismantling of it via the media, they get off scot-free and achieve their aim.

If they were not behind the media headlines, they'd have immediately issued a statement across broadcast media saying how dangerous and irresponsible those headlines were.

Money is behind the newspaper headlines - to sell newspapers.

it’s not simply being plucked out of thin air

Some of it absolutely is. Many of the school opening stories - some quoting various unions - have been moonshine and have been immediately refuted.

Nowhere did I say we did not have one of the highest death rates - just not, as far as current figures are, the highest.

On a thread where we are criticising media coverage, it is probably a good idea for us, at least, to be accurate.

Speculation about possible lifting of some restrictions will be leaked from a whole range of sources...

Then comes the media who speculate on what possible measures those might be...

Hyperbole makes headlines.

I agree with Sunshinegirl82 that a lot of the mixed messages from the last few days stem from from Johnson having to face Starmer for the first time in PMQs.
Totally agree with this. BJ was already an unprepared bumbler, and on top of that, he's had CV and a baby. He's one of those people who in the past has got away with his lack of homework, by being a passable communicator. However, the chickens are coming home to roost.

I am sorry, but broadsheets need to have real news to be called newspaper.....

The crazy headline were not oin newspapers..... they were in tabloids. Peopleshouldn't waste their money to buy gossip and advertisement.....

If they were not behind the media headlines, they'd have immediately issued a statement across broadcast media saying how dangerous and irresponsible those headlines were.

Or possibly we have said bumbling and not really very well PM with a fairly rudderless government, and it's just incompetence.

His usual bumble and bluster was no match for a seasoned cross-examiner in Starmer
It's going to be interesting isnt it....

Johnson and Gove both come from the papers themselves. I'd guess either or both of them are the "loose lips." They're using the press to gauge opinion. I think this is partly because, now that social media is so prevalent and quick to judge, no government can really rule with balls anymore. They need to keep the masses with them. Harder these days.

You shouldn't blame the press this time.

Nick Robinson on the Today R4 this morning, asked the Govt Culture Minister why the press were getting the blame, when they were only reporting what had been briefed to them by No 10, the evening before! The Minister declined to answer the question - I wonder why?

If the government did feed the stories to the press (and nothing would surprise me anymore) then it's foolish and dangerous. Lots of people might just see the headlines screaming out from the tabloids as they wander through the newsagents/supermarkets and just assume they're correct. So if the idea is for the public to be appalled and then relieved when Boris continues an almost as is now lockdown on Sunday, it's a mad idea - because a lot of damage can be done before Sunday night - already there are lots more people gathering.

I think the briefing today tried to get across the 'stay home' message a bit more forcefully, but I fear that horse has bolted.

Today 17:37 LizzieSiddal

You shouldn't blame the press this time.

Nick Robinson on the Today R4 this morning, asked the Govt Culture Minister why the press were getting the blame, when they were only reporting what had been briefed to them by No 10, the evening before! The Minister declined to answer the question - I wonder why.”

As a loyal listener of 20 plus years, I’ve abandoned the Tiday Prigramme. They’re just as bad as the media, bending in the wind. I understand that’s their job to an extent, playing devil’s advocate. I don’t want speculation and tittle tattle though, just reporting if face. WATO is just as bad.

Of facts, not if fs e 🙄

Face 🙄🙄

Agree @Chillipeanuts - the Today programme has lost its gravitas.

Yes, I agree Today has lost its gravitas however at least they reported the truth this time. No other media outlet have reported the media were fed these stories.