What is wrong with British tabloids?

Question

It seem s to me that British tabloids in recent times are nothing more than glorified gossip magizines, obsessed with immigration, celebrity drug abuse and Big Brother. Comments?

Answer 1

They wouldn't print them if people didn't buy them. Unfortunately there's a market for this kind of cr*p. Personally I don't buy them, but I will read them for a laugh if they're left lying around.

There was a group of people where I used to work who took them ever so seriously and took every word printed as gospel. This I find really scary. Apparently it's pretty common.

Turning molehills into mountains would be funny if they didn't do it about such serious stuff - I know of plenty of people who are convinced that all Muslims are terrorists hiding behind veils who object with violence to the very word 'Christmas'. It's right to be cautious, but they are breeding fear and hate through their bigotted arguments.

The best thing people can do is avoid buying these sad excuses for newspapers - unfortunately I don't think this is going to happen!

The only thing we can do is have some common sense if we do read them, and read more widely than the daily tabloid.

Answer 2

When they cannot find the truth, they make it up. This is particularly evident when talking politics. But it is not just the tabloids, BBC News are guilty too, If they cannot get an answer from someone they speculate and put it forward as fact. I cannot say for ITV because I don't watch it. The biggest problem is, they get away with it time and time again, even when proved wrong because you still buy the tabloids ( I've stopped, mainly because I spend my money on better things) It is the same as lying.

Answer 3

They are driven by only one thing: profit. It is highly competitive in the UK for media, and the tabloids have to give the readers what they want to stay afloat. If people didn't buy the papers, then they would change. People want to read this stuff so the tabloids provide it. Unfortunately, they cleverly know the deep, dark secrets of the British mind and know that most people do fret about immigration, if their bum looks big in their pants, and what celebrities are up to.

Answer 4

There is nothing wrong with British tabloids, they just provide the type of salacious gossip the British people seem to enjoy - a populist strategy that sells. Hopefully people are able to see that most of the "stories" and "articles" printed in the tabloids are mainly fantasy and just read them for entertainment value. British tabloids are an unfortunate example of freedom of speech in a free society.

Answer 5

Here here! But it seems that that is all the British public is interested in, they always seem to make hero figures out of so-called celebrities with drug problems, were Pete Doherty & Kate Moss ever so famous? The tabloids should spend more time on actual news and people who are making a difference in the world instead of these law breaking wasters who are setting a really bad example to young people.

Answer 6

I totally agree with you. They are glorified magazines and the Daily Express in particular is obsessed with Princess Di. I think they do stir up trouble too and take great satisfaction in running down British celebrities and anything British. Unfortunately, people buy tabloids.

When they do try and be political, I feel they stir up trouble and incite alot of anger and scaremonger. I'm sure if we listened to the tabloids we would be living in complete fear. You cannot take their word for gospel as many articles are inaccurate. They are lucky they do have freedom of the press here, but alot of it is just chav news.

I say don't buy them, but of course people will

Answer 7

The same thing that is wrong with American tabloids- a lot of photos alongside a theatrical presentation of rumors, theories, and gossip made to resemble facts. Tabloids are where Drama Queens go to perfect their character defects while attempting to sell it to the rest of us as an "inside scoop".

Answer 8

If the public did not by the tabloid papers they would have to change what they printed or go bust................. however the vast majority seem to love to by these types of news paper and therefor they continue to print the rubbish that they do..... If the public wanted to be informed to a higher level they would by some of the more serious papers to get the real things that are going on in the world........... but sadly small minded people want small minded stories and as they seem to be the vast majority does that make people like me the odd one out? ......... if so the world is now catering to the lowest common denominator.......... and god help us all.

Answer 9

Hi >
I totally agree, and don't buy them.
If I want the latest proper news, well the good old BBC does the trick.
The cr*p that I notice in other people's tabloids is sad, and only structured to sell the things to "the masses" in mass numbers sadly.
So you can't beat the system when £millions is involved,
One of the items in today's life that I just ignore.
More folks should consider doing the same.
All the best, Bob

Answer 10

I agree. I've never understood the current obsession with celebrities or 'reality TV'. Tabloids cater to the lowest common denominator of readership. Gutter journalism can be harmful, but unfortunately it sells. I guess all we can do is not to buy these newspapers & magazines. If enough concerned people boycotted them they would fizzle out. Of course, some celebrities deliberately 'court' the media & they shouldn't complain when the media turn on them.