News reporting in general but television news in particular, what do you think about it?

[WideWebWitch]

I don't often watch the news or listen to it (I read newspapers online every now and again) but last night I saw the first bit of the 10 O'Clock news and I was perturbed at the way the shooting of the 11 yo boy was covered.

Partly because the parents were dragged on to talk about it - Whyever would we want to see this? Why would they want to give an interview? Why would anyone even ask them? - not only that but the report was cliche ridden and just generally prurient.

It made me realise why I don't watch much tv and certainly why I don't watch the news.

What do you all think? Has it got worse in the last few years? Is it just me?

(This ISN'T about the tragedy of the actual story btw, it is tragic, this is about news reporting)

Only enormous because made extra large for visual impact of course. But also extremely toned and cellulite-free.

This thread has multiple personalities, I feel.

Yes, but they'll call them M2PW's enormous butt cheeks.

yes, it's turned into an odd sort of conversation really.

Marthamoo on Fri 24-Aug-07 15:05:49

PMSL at this Marthamoo!

Aloha, I'm not talking about features or sensitive print journalism though, I'm talking about tabloid television news. And I'm not saying the relatives don't matter, I'm complaining about inane and prurient reporting of tragic stories like this one.

Actually, I do remember my stomach turning at a report by Niall Dickson, then social affairs ed at the Beeb. He went and knelt in the stairwell where poor Damilola Taylor died and emoted. Horrid.

An attack on the way the media works is not an attack on every journalist McEdam. There's no need to be so defensive - if that is what you are being - it's hard to tell in cyber space.

Anyway, talk about timing; I'm sure you'll all have read this by now.