Archived Topic
Topic ID 671
17/05/2005 by Steve
The Mercury
Is it me or do The Mercury seem very keen on reporting local crime yet not so keen on reporting the outcome of the judicial process?
We often seem to read about things like the arson at New Look, or the pillion passenger who had his foot ripped off when he came off the back of a bike in Fore Street, but I don't recall reading anything about subsequent court appearances or sentences following the prosecution of offenders. It would be nice to know what punishments were meeted out to the characters responsible.
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 6905
17/05/2005 by Kate
It's the case of bad news selling I guess. Something the national papers excel at, but it's a pity the local paper can't be a bit more balanced by offering us complete stories. Shock front page headlines appear to sell papers, whilst news of justice being delivered isn't so sensational. Even if the follow-up story is covered, it's often about three paragraphs worth on the bottom of page 23.
Reply ID 6910
17/05/2005 by Steve
If the outcome of these cases isn't reported then the deterence effect is ineffective and people think the yobs are getting away with it, which does nothing to quell what appears to be a growing mood of anger amongst law-abiding citizens.
Reply ID 6934
17/05/2005 by JohnSmith
Maybe we should put the outcome on here, if we hear about. The Mercury is more likely to publish then as this board seems to be where it gets most of its stories from [;)]
Reply ID 7120
25/05/2005 by Marilyn
I had noticed that they seem to get stories from here but thought it was my imagination!
Reply ID 7122
25/05/2005 by Tigger
We could test them out with something juicy, interesting and totally untrue [}:)] However, thinking of the later nothing would change. If you read their 'News' in reverse terms then its more likely to be accurate [B)]
Reply ID 7146
27/05/2005 by monkee
quote:
We could test them out with something juicy, interesting and totally untrue
Remind me again who it was that said : "Never let the facts / truth get in the way of a good story..." ?
[:D][}:)]
...Apparently, I hear they're going to demolish Hertford to build the world's largest retail outlet shopping centre... *ahem*....
Reply ID 7155
27/05/2005 by Dude
There is no doubt the Mercury are becoming more "tabloid".
Every week, they make a big deal about the "draconian" traffic warden, believing it will appeal to the average reader. When you actually read the article, 9 times out of ten, its the driver in the wrong, but the headlines give the impression its over zealous wardens picking on the oppressed public.
Reply ID 7156
27/05/2005 by Stan
I heard that to Monkee.. with a tunnel underneath the town for the traffic or was it a huge flyover?
Reply ID 7184
28/05/2005 by sloopjohnb
quote:
We often seem to read about things like the arson at New Look, or the pillion passenger who had his foot ripped off when he came off the back of a bike in Fore Street, but I don't recall reading anything about subsequent court appearances or sentences following the prosecution of offenders. It would be nice to know what punishments were meeted out to the characters responsible.
The two lads(!) responisble for New Look both got 15 months. Last person to set fire to Hertford got 5 years.
Reply ID 7187
28/05/2005 by Steve
Youth detention I hope
Reply ID 16151
03/02/2006 by nora batty
There is a piece of rubbish journalism in today's Mercury. Page 4 article about Aston House - I had to read the article several times to find out where Aston House actually is as the writer (Paul Brackley) doesn't tell us. I am assuming from a clue in the text it is in a place called Aston, which despite livng here for 16 years, I've never heard of.
Note from Admin: Please post as separate topic
Reply ID 16156
03/02/2006 by Victor Meldrew
Aston is a small village in between Stevanage and Bennington
13 replies