Political Crossfire Forums

[slitedeviance]

Just a quick question....

What is the point of tabloids? I was just reading someones copy of The Sun, and I really don't get it. The articles are poorly written, the Op-Ed and Columns are the same day in and day out, and there is no depth to it at all, in fact as far as I could see there were quite a few lies...

Anyone? Do you read one, is it informative, opinions?

[Clarino]

The Sun used to be a broadsheet. It was doing poorly, when Rupert Murdoch bought it.

It went tabloid, put pictures of topless girls on page three and basically dumbed down as far as it was possible to go.

It is now Britain's best selling "news"paper.

They exist to make a profit, and the simple fact is that in Britain (as in most countries) stupid people outnumber intelligent people by about ten to one.

Never underestimate the success you will have by appealing to the lowest common denominator.

[bob.appleyard]

Clarino wrote: The Sun used to be a broadsheet. It was doing poorly, when Rupert Murdoch bought it.

"Tabloid" and "broadsheet" refer only to the size of the newspaper. As far as I know the Sun had never been a broadsheet. It was a socialist rag at one time, now it's ... well ... one of Murdoch's rags.

[mendosan]

I don't think its meant to be read as news more as entertainment.

[MoscowMatt]

slitedeviance wrote: Just a quick question....

What is the point of tabloids? I was just reading someones copy of The Sun, and I really don't get it. The articles are poorly written, the Op-Ed and Columns are the same day in and day out, and there is no depth to it at all, in fact as far as I could see there were quite a few lies...

Anyone? Do you read one, is it informative, opinions?

What's really disturbing is that it's Britain's best selling newspaper, Meaning more people see the news through this 'comic' then they do proper newspapers. :gdgf:

[ToonArmyIsComing]

slitedeviance wrote: Just a quick question....

What is the point of tabloids? I was just reading someones copy of The Sun, and I really don't get it. The articles are poorly written, the Op-Ed and Columns are the same day in and day out, and there is no depth to it at all, in fact as far as I could see there were quite a few lies...

Anyone? Do you read one, is it informative, opinions?

Exactly, but then again how many people have you actually met that can digest complex arguments? They are rare on this forum and even rarer in the real world.

[slitedeviance]

MoscowMatt wrote: What's really disturbing is that it's Britain's best selling newspaper, Meaning more people see the news through this 'comic' then they do proper newspapers. :gdgf:

You're right, it is pretty disturbing. But I also think they go along way to stopping any progress being made if people are going to get their news from sources like the Sun. For example, illegal immigration:

Now I concede that something needs to be done about illegal immigration and illegal workers, my motivation is probably different from other peoples, but it's definately something that we should pick up and work with. However, when I see the front page of the Sun with "OMG WE ARE BEING OVERRUN!!!!" it really gets my goat, as they seem completely unwilling to pass out any real information, and instead selectively use statistics to try and prove a point. Now, a real paper, like the Torygraph, whilst not in line with my political beliefs, can and does make convincing arguments about the need to combat illegal immigration in a balanced (not Fox balanced) way.

Sorry... I just hate the Sun.

[Boneman]

One word: prolefeed.
Don't underestimate the Sun's writers though, they can be extremely cunning and devious, and a lot of them have degrees at oxford and cambridge.

[bob.appleyard]

Boneman wrote: One word: prolefeed.
Don't underestimate the Sun's writers though, they can be extremely cunning and devious, and a lot of them have degrees at oxford and cambridge.

It is interesting that, unlike the literary prolefeed, which was churned out by machines, it's actually quite difficult to write effectively in the Sun style.

[slitedeviance]

bob.appleyard wrote: It is interesting that, unlike the literary prolefeed, which was churned out by machines, it's actually quite difficult to write effectively in the Sun style.

I'd agree but change it to "Write honestly in the Sun style."

[Clarino]

bob.appleyard wrote: Clarino wrote: The Sun used to be a broadsheet. It was doing poorly, when Rupert Murdoch bought it.

"Tabloid" and "broadsheet" refer only to the size of the newspaper. As far as I know the Sun had never been a broadsheet.

Well, The Times has been reduced in size, but I wouldn't call it a "tabloid", they use the term "compact".

I wouldn't want to testify to it in court, but I'm pretty sure The Sun was a broadsheet (albeit a failing one) until Newscorp bought it.


slitedeviance wrote: bob.appleyard wrote: It is interesting that, unlike the literary prolefeed, which was churned out by machines, it's actually quite difficult to write effectively in the Sun style.

I'd agree but change it to "Write honestly in the Sun style."


I'm not sure it needs alteration. Think about it, as an intelligent person wouldn't you find it difficult to write the way they do in that rag? I know I would.

[slitedeviance]

Clarino wrote: I'm not sure it needs alteration. Think about it, as an intelligent person wouldn't you find it difficult to write the way they do in that rag? I know I would.

Hmm... give me a pen, some paper, and a crate of Strongbow and I'll see what I can do :)

[Clarino]

:lol: