A typical DM 'story'.

Spelling wars? Typo wars? Guardian editors should duck at this point.
I have a scientific background sel so I like "evidence" to be straightforward, well researched and with the numbers carefully worked out. There is much poor practice in many areas of the press. My thread "scientists find cure for wrinkly buttocks" is meant to be a gentle dig at this.

Oh deer

You mean like "tensions are hightened(sic)?" (try heightened)

gracesmum just knew you'd fall for that

I have actually read one or two very well written and interesting articles in the DM, though I tend to only look if something is recommended.

Newspapers are written by members of society so, yes, taking a broad view of all of them, I do think they 'reflect' that society, broadly speaking. Just as schools do.

I guess that wouldn't work so well where there was censorship, such as has happened in some authoritarian states, because certain views, or kinds of views, do not get published.

Origional?? again

Oh was that the original point?

Jodi people such as your midwife friend have always existed but I doubt they always will. There's a lot of confusing issues here and everyone seems to want to bring racism to the table. It's the economy (and I won't say 'stupid) The tensions felt over immigration stem from the poor economy. The people who are most affected are the poor, are the young and are the uneducated. Sadly there's a generation of such people who can't/won't compete with the EU migrants. These people will work for a pittance and will live in overcrowded housing. Whatever it takes. I admire them and wish we had a fraction of the same mindset.

JessM the majority of media seeks to influence your view. I'm not sure where your information comes from, probably what you read, what you watch or listen to. Are you seriously suggesting all that info is informed and impartial?

Just to go back to your comment Jodi about nasty, racist views: my children have friends of many colours and races. It wouldn't occur to them to think racially. So there is hope. I'm sure everyone knows that all tensions are hightened in tough times and the far right have, historically made use of that.

Leads me back to my origional point: it's the economy.

Jodi

It is a case of whether it "reflects" views or whether it seeks to influence them. let me think for a nanosecond.

sel it's you who need to take the blinkers off. There are also a lot of nasty people out there ready, at the slightest encouragement, to HATE. Am I the only one who's listened to racist or 'benefitist' rantings.

Don't you remember what happened in the Former Yugoslavia, when hatred was stirred up between neighbours of different ethnic groups who'd lived in relative harmony for years turned in each other? Or don't you think it could happen here?

Just because you are intelligent and/or educated enough to see others points of view and separate the rubbish from the truth doesn't mean everybody can. I was totally shocked when a 'friend' I'd known for years, a senior midwife, revealed her disturbingly racist views. '

There is a lot of spin from both sides, right and left. I think it was POGS who said she looked at an issue and made her own mind up about it. I feel I do the same. What is annoying is the patronising, broadbrush way anyone who doesn't conform to the sterotype is treated. It's just so...outdated. I was going to use another adjective but worried I might not be able to spell it

I do see, I hope, both sides. I always try to. I've certainly experienced both sides. I'm the furthest thing from a racist but when someone living in the West Country, Warwickshire or not even in this country tells me the correct way to think I just shake my head and think, sheesh, come to London. It's full!

And benefits - there has been abuse of the system. We have people for whom it's a way of life - the tragic result being, those who really need help and support are pilloried and made to feel guilty.

I also believe that the vast magority of people are good and decent and actually don't need to be told how to think. They're also capable of sifting - hopefully

I read quite a few papers on line including the DM. What I really dislike about it is how relentlessly negative it seems to be about everyone and everything. I don't share the political views of the Telegraph, but I think it is mostly well written with some good journalism. I never see this in the Mail, it seems to me to be sketchily researched at best and as someone said earlier, it rarely follows up a story. Remember the famous "weather experts"?
If I believed what it said, I think I would be a right old misery!

If you are correct Sel, that the DM reflects the 'views of a large percentage of the population', and I think you might be, I would feel very worried. I wouldn't feel threatened by a newspaper that was just making point different from my own point of view. But instead it plays up to people's fear, encouraging dislike of people who are of a different race, or those who are getting something for nothing, or using up limited resources.
Where will this all lead? I don't wear blinkers and I can see just how many people in the 'real world' have a real hatred of some of the groups I have mentioned. I have listened to their rantings.
There are those like yourself, who hope it will simply lead to closing the immigration door. But in the meantime there are others who have been stirred to hating 'foreigners', especially some racial groups, hating those in benefits and those who are different in some way.
It was in the 1960s that Enoch Powell made his 'Rivers of Blood' speech. I thought he'd been proved wrong. Let's hope that that never comes true.

Just because someone reads a certain paper doesn't mean they support all the views portrayed by that paper. As I have said before, I read the DM, I also read various other papers, listen to news radio and watch TV news on various channels. Each one angles a story to reflect their ethos. Most people are intelligent enough to see through this to the real story.

I knew a journalist who worked for a variety of newspapers and TV channels across the whole spectrum during his career. He told me that when he was sent out to cover a story he was always told to bring back bad news. If there was a accident they wanted to know how many were dead - not how many had survived. He became very disenchanted and left the profession

That's a fair point, sel, and I think that in that respect – serving as a 'mirror' if you like of fairly prevalent attitudes – the DM and its ilk do serve a useful purpose in society. Better the devil you know....

I wonder why you feel so threatened by the Daily Mail. You may sneer at the content 'gossipy rag' 'low rent' (?) and keep on with the same 'damned lies' rant BUT why do you think people read it? It actually reflects the views of a large percentage of the population. If the circles you move in restrict your views then you really can't see the bigger picture.

Ceesnan above says take off the blinkers. The last Government ruined the country in so many ways and were thrown out because of it. The left wing clique on GN can huddle together reiterating their correctness for all they are worth but they do not reflect society.

Because many of us have experience of living on very low incomes maybe?
But that is not really the point is it. The story is not about her budgeting ability but about the supposed generosity of the benefit system and the feckless nature of most of those who are on benefits.

I'm finding it hard to understand why some of you seem to think it is impossible for this girl to live on £516 a month. She doesn't work so therefore has plenty of time to make good nourishing meals from scratch, charity shops are a fantastic source for bargains, (many of us have recounted our wonderful finds on this forum), she seems savvy, so is no doubt on the cheapest tariffs for gas/electricity and there are plenty of mother and baby groups that charge very little for the children to be entertained. I'm not saying it is easy, just that it's not impossible. Stop being so anti DM and take off the blinkers for heaven's sake!

I look forward to the broadside anno when you offer up an Express front page story for our delectation.
ana give it a rest! Enough with your digs. If you want to deconstruct an article from the Guardian that is a tissue of pinko liberal lies then no one is stopping you.

ooooh Deedaa who? clue please!

I could quote the case of a certain celebrity who has been the target of some very vindictive articles in the DM over the years. After a friend of mine started working for her I began to see how much of what had been written was either mistaken or downright fantasy. Presumably she is not the only example.

We won't tell on you, anno!

Won't take long annodomini