AS I steadily make my way to 50 years in journalism, I’m entitled to grow old disgracefully and have a pop at the way the media world works these days.
Of course, much has changed since I embarked on a career in print in the heady days of hot metal printing (look it up; you’ll be amazed how the ‘technology’ worked back then!).
When I started work, we shared a dark and dusty office and a very clunky Remington typewriter . . . between three hack reporters! Over the years, I saw the introduction of computer technology and the rise of email and the internet.
Not all of the changes have been for the better. Time was when, in the bid to provide fair and accurate news, we strived to get to the source of the story and talk to the people involved.
Sadly, it isn’t always the case today *.
Sat in my attic office, I play a game of classifying some (alleged) stories into two categories – ‘newspaper fluff’ and ‘viral nonsense’.
Let’s start with the fluff. As those of you who carry out household chores will appreciate, fluff tends to gather and increase in volume.
Take this story, which was published in several national newspapers under headlines which broadly declared – ‘Colourful seaside spot is one of ‘least visited’ towns in UK with hardly any train travellers’.
The story referred to Aberaeron (one of my favourite spots on Cardigan Bay).
The ‘source’ of the ‘story’ could be quickly traced back to a press release from Trainline, which declared that ‘two of the least visited towns (by train) in the UK are Aberaeron in Wales and Melrose in Scotland’.
Most of the national newspapers operated a simple ‘cut and paste’ of the original press release, with no attempt at fact-checking.
And, in fact, one national newspaper reporter couldn’t even do the cut and paste properly, referring to the eighth century (sic) Georgian villa on Aberaeron’s Llanerchaeron Estate.
As I was about to respond by email to the national journalists concerned, I spotted a response, better than anything I could compose, by Elin Jones, Llywydd (Speaker) of The Senedd.
She responded to the stories in postcard style –
‘Dear ———–,
‘Sometimes facts just aren’t what they seem. That’s why good journalists check their facts before writing the headline.
‘Yes , Fact 1, Aberaeron may have low visitor numbers by train.
‘But Fact 2 explains why – it has no train station! Closest is 20 miles away.
‘You’ll no doubt be slightly embarrassed to find this out now, but hope the embarrassment serves you well for future, slightly better-researched work.
‘Best wishes, Elin’.
Next, let’s examine viral nonsense.
On Wednesday morning, I was puzzled to see a YouTube account launch a video clip from a House of Commons Select Committee, entitled ‘MPs ASTOUNDED at 5,000 hotels rooms ‘on stand-by’ for new migrants’.
Something didn’t seem right, but I decided not to get involved.
Until, that is, I could see the video suddenly gaining traction and views and shares on the X platform formerly known as Twitter.
The views and comments ramped up at a rate of knots, with many choosing to make political capital for their own anti-immigration views.
By 1pm the controversial Tommy Robinson was adding to the X-storm, reposting the video with the following comment –
‘5000 hotel beds on ‘standby’ for fighting age foreign men crossing the channel. That’s 5000 beds being paid for by the UK taxpayer . . . that are not even being used, but paid for in advance.’
That was enough to tip me over the edge to explain this wasn’t a story at all.
The first clue was provided by the fact that Parliament is in recess (on holiday) so there are no Commons committee meetings currently being held.
With a minimum of effort on the internet, it was easy to establish that the video in question was from a Commons Public Accounts Committee of July 10 . . . 2023!
The statement by the Home Office’s Simon Ridley was overtaken by changes in Government policy in October, 2023, when a gradual halt to using hotels for asylum seeker accommodation was announced.
The X viral spread of the ‘5000 beds on standby’ is a decent example of how quickly nonsense gets accepted as ‘fact’ by those who use social media.
Just sayin’
*Note here: I am referring, in the main, to national newspapers and some social media platforms. Your Evening Post still continues to strive to be fair and accurate in its reporting.
——————————–
TALK about being caught with your trousers down! Thankfully, there was no reason to summon the local constabulary.
Yes, two people received quite a fright, but no-one was injured.
Picture the scene, it had been a typical summer’s morning – ie we had enjoyed Biblical quantities of rain.
I’d picked the day for a walk along the Wales coastal path from Saundersfoot to Pendine. Setting out early, I saw very few hardy souls out on the remote stretches of the path.
The rain eased from torrential to just drizzle as I approached Telpyn Point and Marros Beach.
I picked a quiet spot in a clearing of gorse bushes to begin discarding the wet weather gear.
Shoes off, I was in the middle of dropping my wet-weather over-trousers when I heard a shriek. A young lady jogger had emerged from a gap in the gorse bushes.
Plainly, she had mistaken the adjustments in my clothing for something more sinister.
She had a fright. I had a fright at the fact that she was having a fright.
Thankfully, she quickly realised I was only removing an outer layer of wet weather gear and was still decently attired in chinos.
We both saw the funny side of it – and proceeded to have a splendid chat about walking challenges in south Wales. I brought her up to speed on some of the best of Bannau Brycheiniog. She provided some education on the best of coastal Pembrokeshire.
We both found a common goal with the aim to take part in next month’s Gower Walking Festival.
I promised I’d be more careful about where and when I discard clothing in future!
The website for the Gower Walking Festival is at https://gowerwalkingfestival.uk
Twitter: @rlloydpr
Email: robertlloydpr@rlloydpr.co.uk
Leave a Reply