Newspaper Padding

Don’t you ever become tired of newspaper reporters ‘padding’ their articles?

Quite apart from the bias shown in most stories there is also, very often a complete lack of any ‘credible evidence’ that the journalist’s stories are actually true.

This is in spite (or because?) of the fact that they went to a special school and did special courses to instil the virtues of journalism into them. Perhaps the vices were installed more than the virtues.

In some countries—no names no pack drill, as they say, the journalist’s endeavours are swayed by the ‘powers that be’; thus they report what the controlling body requires them to report rather than actual truth. The threat is, of course, that the reporter can lose considerably in life and the media outlet, whatever it is, can lose their licence to broadcast or print.

Let’s have a look at the ‘padding’ that goes on.

This was printed in 'The Globe':

“Cynthia Small, 33, a mother of two from Dyke’s Cross, was assaulted in Manor Gardens on her way home from crochet class last night.

She was treated in Carrickmoor Hospital but released after a couple of hours into the care of her husband, Michael, 45, who was taken to the hospital by police.

The police are following several leads and have warned Mr. Small against taking the law into his own hands.”

The news story:

“Last night, Mrs. Cynthia Small was assaulted in Manor Gardens by an unknown assailant.

She was treated in hospital then released into the care of her husband, Michael.

Police are investigating.”

The condensed version removes her home location and their ages since both are irrelevant to the story. There are other details, which are also irrelevant, and so we reduce the story down to the actual, known, facts of the situation.

The real story:

“Last night, around nine pm, Mrs. Cynthia Small was viciously assaulted by a, so far unnamed, thug in Manor Gardens—a location known locally as a hot spot for dealing in drugs.

Mrs. Small, who has two small children from disparate fathers, has been known to procure drugs from several sources in Manor Gardens, particularly from ‘Manny the Turk’. This drug dealer has been known to assault purchasers for non-payment of debts but has yet to be arrested on the grounds that there has been no evidence to support a conviction.

The Carrickmoor Hospital were conscientious in their duty to contact the reporter of this newspaper immediately upon Mrs. Small being admitted; the police were kind enough to wait until the reporter had completed their interview with the victim.

The husband of the victim, Michael Small, was brought to see his wife by the police. He remarked to the reporter that he would find the (person) who did this to his lovely wife and bury the (person).

The police then cautioned Mr. Small to beware of taking the law into his own hands as the assailant was, very likely, an illegal immigrant who would have considerable legal and financial power available making a charge difficult.

Following a brief statement from Mrs. Small, the police went in search of the possible culprit to warn him that he could be in personal physical danger from the victim’s husband. Mr. Small has served several years in prison for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The Chief Constable informed the media in a prepared statement that there was little evidence as to the perpetrator of this assault; the deployment of personnel on this case was not in the best interests of the public or the best use of the police budget. An arrest is unlikely to be made in the near future.

Mrs. Small was released from hospital against the advice of doctors but following the advice of her husband. She was last seen folding her wheelchair and putting it into the back of a Mercedes estate car and asking her husband if he had brought the insurance forms.”

Padded, condensed or factual.

Take your pick. It’s the same story.