Journalism

Stanaccy · 03-04-2008, 21:01

I have for two weeks now redad the Accrington Observers stories and letters about "Carnival Queen in Slap Row".

This is the most one sided journalism I have read in a long time. There has been no response to her allegations (I assume because the other person in wuestion is only a schoolboy). I am appalled by racism as any normal person would be, however the fact that a) There is only her word for it that he abused her racially and b) We know nothing of the events leading up to this staggers me that a paper such as the Observer would print this.

Also her letter this evening is farcical beyond belief. The publicity has come to the for 6 or 7 weeks after her suspension and yet is just in time the voting on the Hyndburn Honey competition.

I am also shocked that such a "right minded " individual as Mr D Pratt would take such a stance when only hearing one side and also his snide implication he comes from a one parent family. For pities sake do we send the jury out after only hearing the prosecution's case.

One thing that hasn't been brought up is the lad was assaulted, we again only have her word for it that he wasn't hurt or marked. What would happen if his parents contacted the police as a result of this article?

Sorry to rant on but this is the shoddiest piece of journalism and follow up I have read in a long long time.

Stanaccy · 04-04-2008, 20:43

I've just reread this posting and realised my spelling is atrocious.

Apologies.

I also apologise for the rant I had on it but biaised journalism like that really gets my goat.

garinda · 04-04-2008, 21:02

The quality of the paper has certainly gone down the pan since the Accrington Observer became part of the M.E.N. group of newspapers.

Years ago young journalists could learn their craft working for the Observer, and the best could go on to better things, a few made a name for themselves on Fleet Street.

The only positive thing to say nowadays about the Oberver is that the quality of journalism is marginally better than that of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

I suppose the Editor's riposte would be that they don't have enough staff to investigate stories fully. A weak excuse in my book, as with today's technology checking facts has never been easier.

There has been more than one front page 'headline' story that has just been lifted from the internet. Remember 'Dogging on the King's Highway'? A total non-story, that was just repeating word for word what some anonymous source had posted on an adult website. Then there was the Clayton man on YouTube who bit the head of a chicken.

The Washington Post it ain't, more like a spotty youth, with a low grade pass G.S.C.E. in English, trawling the web, and looking for 'exclusives'.

shillelagh · 04-04-2008, 21:08

well a journalist from the free press has just started on the accy observer. Might get better mind you I buy both the Rossendale Free Press and Accy Observer - and i prefer the free press in some bits but the accy observer in others. They are both owned by MEN stable like most local papers round here.

shillelagh · 04-04-2008, 21:13

Thing is about this - it says that its took at the minute 7 weeks for Hyndburn to carry out an investigation and its still ongoing. I think thats a mite too long - should have been sorted by now. Over time people forget what was said, what was done, and surely there is a procedure they have to go through which shouldnt take that long.

jaysay · 05-04-2008, 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

The quality of the paper has certainly gone down the pan since the Accrington Observer became part of the M.E.N. group of newspapers.

Years ago young journalists could learn their craft working for the Observer, and the best could go on to better things, a few made a name for themselves on Fleet Street.

The only positive thing to say nowadays about the Oberver is that the quality of journalism is marginally better than that of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

I suppose the Editor's riposte would be that they don't have enough staff to investigate stories fully. A weak excuse in my book, as with today's technology checking facts has never been easier.

There has been more than one front page 'headline' story that has just been lifted from the internet. Remember 'Dogging on the King's Highway'? A total non-story, that was just repeating word for word what some anonymous source had posted on an adult website. Then there was the Clayton man on YouTube who bit the head of a chicken.

The Washington Post it ain't, more like a spotty youth, with a low grade pass G.S.C.E. in English, trawling the web, and looking for 'exclusives'.

I agree with a lot of what you have said Rindi, although the Telegraph is a waste of space, I have bought the LET or the LT as it is now known every night right up to Jan this year, then I found that if I did want to read it I could do it on line for free saving me around £12 a month, which pays for my internet acount almost. The LT Web Site is a lot better than the Obs, but some of the rubbish printed in local media outlets is just as you say lazy journalism, but I have to say that I like Mervin Kay at the Obs, as he's very approachable and wil alwys listen to your point of view.

Nickelson · 05-04-2008, 10:31

Mr D R Pratt writes in every week and personally i think its lame. Why not broadcast your views once in a while. At least come on accy web and post your views here.
Apolgises if he is on here.

garinda · 05-04-2008, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickelson

Mr D R Pratt writes in every week and personally i think its lame. Why not broadcast your views once in a while. At least come on accy web and post your views here.
Apolgises if he is on here.

I think many of the regular letter writers are heavily supervised, and only have their straitjackets taken off for them to pen a letter, rather than post on here.

I love the letters page. Best bit of the paper.

pipinfort · 05-04-2008, 12:08

Obviously we don`t know the full story from BOTH sides but imagine my surprise that the racism card has been played and that is what seems to have been focussed on .

garinda · 05-04-2008, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort

Obviously we don`t know the full story from BOTH sides but imagine my surprise that the racism card has been played and that is what seems to have been focussed on .

Judging by her letter, they obviously hadn't contacted the accused young woman, nevermind the work experience boy, before running the story last week on it's front page. Very sloppy.

jaysay · 05-04-2008, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I think many of the regular letter writers are heavily supervised, and only have their straitjackets taken off for them to pen a letter, rather than post on here.

I love the letters page. Best bit of the paper.

Right again Rindi used to be my pereonal message board a few years ago

garinda · 05-04-2008, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Right again Rindi used to be my pereonal message board a few years ago

Oh, I forgot about you.

It wasn't a personal dig...I'm sure you're allowed to take your straitjacket off whenever the doctors see fit.

Having only written two letter, twenty six years apart, I don't class myself as a regular correspondent.

Stanaccy · 05-04-2008, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Judging by her letter, they obviously hadn't contacted the accused young woman, nevermind the work experience boy, before running the story last week on it's front page. Very sloppy.

There was quote from her last week Rindy. I just find it shoddy at best manipulative at worst to lead on the front page with the story from on side only.

Mind you as you have said the paperr has slid downhill recently

LisaKenyon · 07-04-2008, 19:55

Hi everyone, I have read your comments with interest. I am the journalist that's left the Free Press to take over as news editor at the Accrington Observer and I welcome any feedback about the paper. You can contact me directly on [email protected] or on 01254 871 444.

Royboy39 · 07-04-2008, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaKenyon

Hi everyone, I have read your comments with interest. I am the journalist that's left the Free Press to take over as news editor at the Accrington Observer and I welcome any feedback about the paper. You can contact me directly on [email protected] or on 01254 871 444.

Hi Lisa...........may I be the first to congratulate you for joining Accyweb.
I hope everyone gives you a fair hearing and are not rude....you have a job to do and seem to have made the right choice and join this forum......enjoy.