All this tactic will achieve (imo) is to reduce the amount of time other papers allow Reform to comment on a story before they go to press.
A very common line we see at the end of a piece (and hear in television and radio journalism) is … Reform have been approached for comment but we have not heard back from them. Meantime they’ve scuttled to The Telegraph to ask them to spin the same story. It helps that Tice’s girlfriend Oakeshott writes for them.
The paper is obviously rattled by the revelations in the Verbatim undercover operation which has exposed them either as easy dupes or complicit in Reform’s manipulation of the public.
The quality of journalism at the paper had deteriorated alarmingly.
Now, if I read something that seems “off” I will look at the name of the writer and check their bio on Wiki or LinkedIn.
Often it turns out to be some 23 year old, two years out of college with a year on a local paper covering school fetes, roadworks and petty crime who suddenly has a lofty title, "senior political correspondent" or somesuch on a national broadsheet.
Gransnet forums
News & politics
Join the conversation
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »
