Page 1 of 2

Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2014 1:47 am
by Steve
"Reports of plane crash near Ware"

http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/H ... 135440.htm

The first paragraph states: "An aircraft has crashed in Tonwell near Ware this afternoon"

Just two paragraphs later, the police are reported as saying: "It was a forced landing. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft either."

So it wasn't a crash at all. The aircraft landed and was not damaged.

Yet at the end of the story they ask; "Did you see the crash or were you on board? Get in touch"

Is it just me or is this just piss-poor writing masquerading as journalism?

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2014 6:09 am
by Matt40
I did notice the conflicting sentences in that report as well, shoddy journalism, perhaps the organ grinder delegated his/her duties to a junior whilst on half term duties?

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2014 6:59 am
by Warewolf
You seem surprised Steve? :)

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2014 8:23 am
by Whereaami
Sadly its nothing new.

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2014 8:26 am
by JCB
This seems to be a case of deja vu - do I not remember almost an identical story not so long ago....?

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2014 10:38 am
by Steve
Warewolf wrote:You seem surprised Steve? :)
No, it just seems a new low.

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2014 10:40 am
by Steve
Matt40 wrote:I did notice the conflicting sentences in that report as well, shoddy journalism, perhaps the organ grinder delegated his/her duties to a junior whilst on half term duties?
I think they're mostly juniors at The Mercury these days.

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2014 5:26 pm
by IGS
Are they sure it wasn't a UFO? :twisted:

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Sun 20 Apr 2014 2:51 pm
by John_D
Another piece of shoddy reporting was in the piece on Ware High Street. Amongst other premises reported as having closed 'The Resource Centre' was reported as being 'currently empty' something that the owner of the business was less than happy with when I pointed it out. :evil:

Re: Poor Mercury Reporting

Posted: Sun 20 Apr 2014 6:35 pm
by Scottman
Fascinating that a gripping story about the Wine Lodge changing owner got front page, while the story about Premier Inn and 65 new jobs was on about page 9