So, the Sun newspaper has decided to switch its allegiance and back the Tories in the next General Election. I guess they’ll be hoping to repeat their ‘It’s the Sun wot won it’ headline from Tony Blair’s triumph way back in 1997.
It won’t come as any surprise that I have no affection for the Sun at all – on two grounds: (a) I am a Scouser and I remember Hillsborough very well; and (b) it’s owned by Rupert Murdoch – whose son recently exposed the values of the family business.
In Helmut Schmidt’s wise reminiscences over a lifetime in public office and publishing, Ausser Dienst, he makes the following comment about what connects politicians and journalists (my rough translation):
Politicians and journalists live in an antagonistic symbiosis: one can’t live without the other. But they don’t particularly like each other and they observe each other with a mutual and deep suspicion. Yet they have at least two things in common. First, they have to speak or write today about subjects and issues that they won’t adequately understand until tomorrow or the day after; secondly, they are required to fascinate their audience at any one time. So, both professions are subject to the temptations – be they a glance at opinion polls or a look at the numbers. Both are part of the political class, but both professions contain the spectrum from statesmen to delinquents. (p.30)
I thought this was an interesting observation at a time when politicians are smelling the gaining or loss of power and when the newspapers, losing readers by the day, are attempting to increase and exercise their (waning?) influence over the political processes.
It can only be hoped that the British people might be mature enough to make up their own minds and to bring to what they read a critical eye that asks the questions of editorial motive, selectivity and fundamental assumptions.
Perhaps we do need to compel every child to do Media Studies after all – just in order to enable them to take an intelligent and informed part in the democratic process…
September 30, 2009 at 9:34 am
At Least “It says here” by Billy Bragg will make sense again!
September 30, 2009 at 2:10 pm
“Could it be an infringement of the freedom of the press to print pictures of women in states of undress?”
Genius.
September 30, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Journalists, politicians… and bishops who blog; such is the nature of anyone who chooses to or needs to engage with culture. I guess the important thing is what the aim of our engagement and comment is. Are we selling a product, an ideology, a book, trying to make a living. Or simply trying to help culture to think out loud, to reflect. Maybe The Sun wants to aid cultural reflection and development by switching alliegances. Tho of course we all doubt that. But maybe it has made some people think.
September 30, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Nick,
I was listening to a phone in on Radio Kent this morning, where this was discussed. I was surprised by the feedback in favour of Gordon Brown.
Most were people who are retired, who supposedly are suffering under the Government, but who actually believe that they are better off now, than when Tories were in power. This was on the basis of who they trusted and what had been done for them in the last 12 years.
One individual who rang in about the issue, a Taxi Driver in Tonbridge Wells, could only make statements such as “I don’t like GB” or “He keeps changing his mind” he was unable articulate or to substantiate his claim in any way. The assessment made was that “He was a Sun Reader”
While amusing, it demonstrates that opinions are formed and influenced by the media, whether the Sun, Daily Mail or the Guardian. Perhaps those with access to a higher level of education are able to make an informed judgement, but how many out there are not, and rely on ‘hearsay or prejudice’ to form their opinions.
Responsible media coverage should be impartial and without bias, but I suppose that will not sell papers. Pity!!
September 30, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Interesting point, but I don’t think so!
October 1, 2009 at 6:08 am
Do you think people ought to take a test on politics before they are allowed to vote? Democracy is rubbish but it is the best rubbish we’ve got. I hate it that it is as important for a politician to shave off their beard as polish up their policies. I can’t think of any alternative.
October 1, 2009 at 6:29 am
Nor can I, Steve. That’s the problem.