ChatterBank1 min ago
Sky news
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This morning Sky News spent the first 11 minutes of their 9.00am news reporting on yet another failed British sports person. I refer of course to that barbaric boxing tournament that took place in Vegas
Throughout this boring 11 minutes, their rolling news banner was reporting that British troops had taken part in one of the biggest operations against the Taliban, and yet another British soldier had been killed. After the extended boxing news It took all of 2 minutes to report about Afghanistan and the rest of the news, before they went into a commercial break, after which they returned to the boxer's home town to give to report even more from there.
There are many relatives of the troops out there, who anxiously wait at home waiting for any news of the conflict that their love ones are taking part in. Why should they be torrmented further, while this drivel is exploited for all it's worth.
Seeing that news channels have their separate dedicated sport news slots, shouldn't these be used to report on sporting matters? That is of course unless someone had been involved in a criminal act, or has died or been killed. But even then it should be reported in the correct relation to other news.
Throughout this boring 11 minutes, their rolling news banner was reporting that British troops had taken part in one of the biggest operations against the Taliban, and yet another British soldier had been killed. After the extended boxing news It took all of 2 minutes to report about Afghanistan and the rest of the news, before they went into a commercial break, after which they returned to the boxer's home town to give to report even more from there.
There are many relatives of the troops out there, who anxiously wait at home waiting for any news of the conflict that their love ones are taking part in. Why should they be torrmented further, while this drivel is exploited for all it's worth.
Seeing that news channels have their separate dedicated sport news slots, shouldn't these be used to report on sporting matters? That is of course unless someone had been involved in a criminal act, or has died or been killed. But even then it should be reported in the correct relation to other news.
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You're correct, of course.
Unfortunately, sky are the market leaders for news, and they know their audience. The sad miserable fact is that joe public wants the 11 minutes on the fight, and that's a reflection on society, not just the channel.
The one possible glimmer of hope is that they have the red button - 8 screen option to keep tabs on the rest of the news when they're covering "main stories"
Unfortunately, sky are the market leaders for news, and they know their audience. The sad miserable fact is that joe public wants the 11 minutes on the fight, and that's a reflection on society, not just the channel.
The one possible glimmer of hope is that they have the red button - 8 screen option to keep tabs on the rest of the news when they're covering "main stories"
I used to pretend that i enjoyed boxing when my clients fancied a treat at a boxing night courtesy of moi.
The truth is these violent people are allowed to do what the thugs in the street hopefully get locked up for.
To put it in front of a story about our boys in Affy, is sickening, yet no more than i expect from sky and their cronies.
The truth is these violent people are allowed to do what the thugs in the street hopefully get locked up for.
To put it in front of a story about our boys in Affy, is sickening, yet no more than i expect from sky and their cronies.
anotheoldgit... I completely agree with you. It is a moronic sport practiced by morons. It says a lot about the society we are living in. I cant wait for that idiot Amy Winehouse to get it over with so that we wont have to see her all over the papers day in day out. Who cares! She needs a good slap and should be locked up in a room without access to drugs until it is out of her system. In my opinion, drug addicts should be sectioned and drug dealers should be shot. Zero tolerance! Smokers are treated worse than drug addicts!
Unfortunately, the rolling 24 hour news channels will prioritise a story not by its importance, but by how much material it has to fill airtime. Sky had video of the fight, the aftermath, the family, the fans and the pundits.
The only visuals to accompany the Afghanistan final push were old library pictures and a satellite map.
And that is why Amy Winehouse will get more air-time than the latest from a 5 years old war which everyone is fed up with. dad but true.
The only visuals to accompany the Afghanistan final push were old library pictures and a satellite map.
And that is why Amy Winehouse will get more air-time than the latest from a 5 years old war which everyone is fed up with. dad but true.
Before everyone on this site starts to moralise about what a waste of time sports reporting is, let's just remember the salivating that took place over the McCanns this summer.
That included one bizarre day on Sky News (and BBC News and ITN) that was devoted to the McCanns returning to Britain. Live footage of the outside of the apartment, of a car driving to an airport, of an plane waiting to take off, of a plane landing, of reporters gathered for hours on a slip road. All of which added nothing to the story. And this isn't uncommon.
Besides, this Ricky Hatton news isn't a fluffy non-story about Britney Spears putting on weight. It's a British person who through talent and dedication has risen to the very top of his field and has a chance to achieve genuine glory. Something that hasn't happened on that scale in the sport for about a decade. That is newsworthy.
Do you really think that newsworthiness should be determined solely by the amount of people that have died? How then could a story like Northern Rock possibly be deemed more important than the death of a soldier? Are you suggesting that our miliraty exploits should always dominate the headlines?
What about house prices? Do they really matter? (And to follow your other argument, shouldn't that be reported on one of the financial media rather than the general news channels?)
What if British actors and directors had won a record number of Oscars? Would you object to that being reported? Should the World Cup win of 1966 have been kept off the front pages? How about Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde? Are their achievements less important that the Duke of Wellington?
Sport, like art, is something to be celebrated and encouraged. It gives us excitement and joy. Why should that not be given prominence?
And, in case, you hadn't noticed from the tens of thousands of people who hauled their asses over to Las Vegas, this
That included one bizarre day on Sky News (and BBC News and ITN) that was devoted to the McCanns returning to Britain. Live footage of the outside of the apartment, of a car driving to an airport, of an plane waiting to take off, of a plane landing, of reporters gathered for hours on a slip road. All of which added nothing to the story. And this isn't uncommon.
Besides, this Ricky Hatton news isn't a fluffy non-story about Britney Spears putting on weight. It's a British person who through talent and dedication has risen to the very top of his field and has a chance to achieve genuine glory. Something that hasn't happened on that scale in the sport for about a decade. That is newsworthy.
Do you really think that newsworthiness should be determined solely by the amount of people that have died? How then could a story like Northern Rock possibly be deemed more important than the death of a soldier? Are you suggesting that our miliraty exploits should always dominate the headlines?
What about house prices? Do they really matter? (And to follow your other argument, shouldn't that be reported on one of the financial media rather than the general news channels?)
What if British actors and directors had won a record number of Oscars? Would you object to that being reported? Should the World Cup win of 1966 have been kept off the front pages? How about Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde? Are their achievements less important that the Duke of Wellington?
Sport, like art, is something to be celebrated and encouraged. It gives us excitement and joy. Why should that not be given prominence?
And, in case, you hadn't noticed from the tens of thousands of people who hauled their asses over to Las Vegas, this
Once again jno is telling us something we don't already know, in his usual smug way.
We are not idiots, of course we know that there are other media sources from which we can gather news from. But this should not prevent one from criticising a news source when it is acting inappropriately in some way.
We are not idiots, of course we know that there are other media sources from which we can gather news from. But this should not prevent one from criticising a news source when it is acting inappropriately in some way.
Well Quinlad what can I say, you make so many points that branch off at so many tangents.
It is obvious that you have never had a relative that has served in these war zones, or perhaps you would understand that there are much more important things in this world, than two slightly retarded individuals knocking hell out of each other in an attempt to make themselves even further retarded.
And what can I say about all those that like to watch such events, much alike those mobs that turned out to attend the Coliseum in ancient Rome perhaps?
I am not saying that one news item should constantly be headline news, It s all a matter of getting the news items in the correct proportion to each other. But I must say that when it comes to a death of another soldier, that should certainly be the main news item. Even at Prime Minister's Question Time that is always the first thing on the agenda.
It is obvious that you have never had a relative that has served in these war zones, or perhaps you would understand that there are much more important things in this world, than two slightly retarded individuals knocking hell out of each other in an attempt to make themselves even further retarded.
And what can I say about all those that like to watch such events, much alike those mobs that turned out to attend the Coliseum in ancient Rome perhaps?
I am not saying that one news item should constantly be headline news, It s all a matter of getting the news items in the correct proportion to each other. But I must say that when it comes to a death of another soldier, that should certainly be the main news item. Even at Prime Minister's Question Time that is always the first thing on the agenda.
AOG
It is interesting to contrast the real heroism in Afghanstan
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/12/10/wafg110.xml
with the money grabbing boxing entertainment in Las Vegas.
It is interesting to contrast the real heroism in Afghanstan
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/12/10/wafg110.xml
with the money grabbing boxing entertainment in Las Vegas.
Thanks for the critique. Sorry if you're struggling to keep up. It may be because you're trying to have two different arguments yourself.
- One is on whether warfare should always dominate the news agenda.
- Two is on whether boxing is an acceptable sport.
I'll let you choose one if that's easier.
And I agree that the news agenda needs a sense of proportion. But you might have noticed that the number of deaths isn't the only criterion on which that decision is made.
Incidentally, I find your comment about my relatives incredibly strange. And cheap. Are you saying that the feelings of army families should set the agenda?
As it happens, my father was in the territorial army but never served in a warzone because he died after being hit by a drink driver. 3,000 people die or are seriously injured in this way every year. That's almost 10 a day.
To the relatives of those killed by drunk drivers, road traffic incidents take on greater importance. Should these senseless deaths be the first item on the News At Ten every night? They're surely more important than fox hunting, or the new Lib Dem leader?
What would you do if you were editing the programme?
- One is on whether warfare should always dominate the news agenda.
- Two is on whether boxing is an acceptable sport.
I'll let you choose one if that's easier.
And I agree that the news agenda needs a sense of proportion. But you might have noticed that the number of deaths isn't the only criterion on which that decision is made.
Incidentally, I find your comment about my relatives incredibly strange. And cheap. Are you saying that the feelings of army families should set the agenda?
As it happens, my father was in the territorial army but never served in a warzone because he died after being hit by a drink driver. 3,000 people die or are seriously injured in this way every year. That's almost 10 a day.
To the relatives of those killed by drunk drivers, road traffic incidents take on greater importance. Should these senseless deaths be the first item on the News At Ten every night? They're surely more important than fox hunting, or the new Lib Dem leader?
What would you do if you were editing the programme?
Come on, Gromit. No-one's saying that boxing is more heroic than fighting in a war.
But to suggest that sport holds no intrinsic worth or interest is naive isn't it?
Why do we teach sport in schools? Just to avoid a generation of fat kids? Or because it embodies many of the values that resonate with people and that we wish to encourage - teamwork, dedication, effort, drama, aesthetic appeal, skill, belief, pluckiness?
And when we see those values times a thousand in our top sportsmen and women, why is it strange that people wish to celebrate that and have it reported?
But to suggest that sport holds no intrinsic worth or interest is naive isn't it?
Why do we teach sport in schools? Just to avoid a generation of fat kids? Or because it embodies many of the values that resonate with people and that we wish to encourage - teamwork, dedication, effort, drama, aesthetic appeal, skill, belief, pluckiness?
And when we see those values times a thousand in our top sportsmen and women, why is it strange that people wish to celebrate that and have it reported?
aog, you demanded to know why the relatives of soldiers were being tormented. But they aren't if they watch another channel. You buy what shoes you like, I daresay. But you don't start up AB threads to denounce all other shoes just because you don't like them. So why waste your time complaining about Sky? It doesn't owe you anything. Just accept it: it's not aimed at you or at the relatives of soldiers. There are channels that will do this for you; Sky isn't one of them. Change channels.
News like that sells unfortunately and they know they can get the viewers with such gossip, with all the people out there buy the sun. mirror, news of the world, etc there's a lot of crap being reported to people who want to read it unfortunately...'see a need - fill a need'
For those of us who want to hear current affair issues, that are not suger coated, politically unbiased or politically driven spin, we have to look no further than.....I don't know you tell me, it doesn't exist surely.
What has got my biscuit lately is Mrs Darwin hiding out in Amercia for days to sell her story of corruption and fraud to the papers, the police didn't know where she was but the blooding papers with the fists full of money did. Unbelieveable, people making money out of such a scam, they have made enough money since the news broke to pay back any debts, life insurance payout and legal costs, what with martyr's posting clips on youtube before going on a killing spree, nutters and criminals are becoming more famous and more rich!
For those of us who want to hear current affair issues, that are not suger coated, politically unbiased or politically driven spin, we have to look no further than.....I don't know you tell me, it doesn't exist surely.
What has got my biscuit lately is Mrs Darwin hiding out in Amercia for days to sell her story of corruption and fraud to the papers, the police didn't know where she was but the blooding papers with the fists full of money did. Unbelieveable, people making money out of such a scam, they have made enough money since the news broke to pay back any debts, life insurance payout and legal costs, what with martyr's posting clips on youtube before going on a killing spree, nutters and criminals are becoming more famous and more rich!
I have absolutely zero interest in boxing. I have never seen a match, in the same way I've never watched horse trials.
However, for many people, this weekend was a huge event.
Yes, the fighting should, and is, a big story - but many people (this will sound bad, but it's true)...couldn't care less about what's happening in the Middle East.
I bet you that there are millions of people who are more interested in what Victoria Beckham is wearing, or the latest news from Eastenders etc etc.
It's not nice, but it is,/i> true.
Sky is probably balancing it's reportage to it's viewer's interests.
However, for many people, this weekend was a huge event.
Yes, the fighting should, and is, a big story - but many people (this will sound bad, but it's true)...couldn't care less about what's happening in the Middle East.
I bet you that there are millions of people who are more interested in what Victoria Beckham is wearing, or the latest news from Eastenders etc etc.
It's not nice, but it is,/i> true.
Sky is probably balancing it's reportage to it's viewer's interests.
I rarely struggle to keep up, only when I am trying to make some sense of posters who cannot write their arguments without the use for adding pointless misleading anologies to their argument.
McCanns / car driving to the airport / plane taking off and landing / reporters gathering on a slip road / Ricky Hatton / Britney Spears / Northern Rock / Oscars / World Cup 1966 / Shakespeare / Oscar Wilde / Duke of Wellington / drunk drivers / fox hunting / Lib Dem leaders / shoes / * * * Please, please, please keep to the point.
I am not arguing that sport or any other news should not be reported, only that the news items should be reported in order of importance. And I still maintain that a human life is much more important than any sporting event.
That is the argument under discussion, and if anyone would like to seriously discuss this point, then I would only be too pleased to read their posts. But in the meantime I will treat jno's latest post with the contempt it deserves.
Thanks once again for that excellent link Gromit.
McCanns / car driving to the airport / plane taking off and landing / reporters gathering on a slip road / Ricky Hatton / Britney Spears / Northern Rock / Oscars / World Cup 1966 / Shakespeare / Oscar Wilde / Duke of Wellington / drunk drivers / fox hunting / Lib Dem leaders / shoes / * * * Please, please, please keep to the point.
I am not arguing that sport or any other news should not be reported, only that the news items should be reported in order of importance. And I still maintain that a human life is much more important than any sporting event.
That is the argument under discussion, and if anyone would like to seriously discuss this point, then I would only be too pleased to read their posts. But in the meantime I will treat jno's latest post with the contempt it deserves.
Thanks once again for that excellent link Gromit.
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