Saturday, January 14, 2006
The Sun and Shearer
Sensationalist journalism at it's worst!
I make no apologies for this post, it is not related to politics and how it affects South Shields, but more to do with the most irresponsible aspects of British journalism as displayed by The Sun in particular. I make no apology, either, for republishing this photograph (for which, I have not asked permission from The Sun, it's in the public domain anyway.)
The lead story in the popular daily is about Iorworth Hoare, a man convicted and imprisoned for rape, a man now released from his last sentence for attempted rape and in the process of rehabilitating within the community. I have no sympathy for him, considering the crime that he has committed, nor do I feel any malice or hatred towards him; however, The Sun seems determined to hound and pester him and stir up ill will in the local community where he is trying to re-establish himself. The Sun, it seems, is very upset because he bought a lottery ticket whilst in jail and was lucky enough to end up winning near enough GBP 7 millions. With the proceeds he has bought a house in a nice suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and by publishing this photograph on it's front page today, The Sun has materially breached the privacy of one Alan Shearer, the Newcastle United centre forward and former England captain (as well as that of Mr. Hoare.)
It seems that anyone with a broadband connection and Google Earth installed could now get a satellite image of the area, zoom in to Shearer's house, overlay the image with a map, find out the street name, measure the co-ordinates, and get his post code - I know, because I have just achieved it! Alan Shearer, despite the loathing I feel for Newcsatle United, does not deserve this, he is entitled to his peace and quiet, he is entitled to some privacy, and to the same extent, is Mr. Hoare (unless he commits another crime). This is the essence of my complaint, it is not good journalism, neither man, at the moment, is accused of a crime, they are both going about their daily affairs without causing upset or annoyance to anyone else, they do not appear to be breaking any laws, so why go ahead and divulge this information?
It might be alright for The Sun to use adjectives such as "monster" or "beast" but this will not help the man to integrate back into society or even begin to make a usefull contribution. His chances of a successful rehabilitation are being continually wrecked by The Sun's campaign of vilification and by linking in the locations of famous footballing personalities like Shearer, Dyer, Parker, McDermott, and Beardsley they are in danger of alienating themselves.
This is sensatialism of the worst sort!
About Me
Curly Born in 1956
Sanddancer
Sunderland fan
Male
Retailer
Former Borough Councillor
View my Profile
Contact
Email Curly
south-shields AT
blueyonder DOT co DOT uk
Got a story?
Got a tip off?
Got some scandal?
Let me know!
07941386870
Search
Search this site
Comments
How do I make a comment on this blog?
Links
Curly's Corner Shop website
Curly's Photoshop
My Message Board
Shields photo gallery
RTG Message Board
Sunderland AFC Blog
Site Feed
Blogroll Me!
Past
December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007