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Saturday, January 2, 2010

It's Just Not Cricket

"New South Wales is leading the tally board with a total of 44."

Sounds like some kind of sport, right?

Wrong!

This is what we heard on the radio news this morning whilst travelling in the car.  We were shocked and horrified.  Not at the number, although it is both shocking and horrible.  But at the words chosen by the journalist to describe the holiday road toll.  Do they think it's a game?  Why are they treating it like a sport??  Every holiday season they persist with the 'tally board' terminology and frankly, I think it's completely inappropriate.  These are people who have lost their lives, with family and friends who could possibly be listening to the radio news.  How callous and insensitive to use the phrase, "leading the tally board"!

I don't watch the news or listen to it by choice on the radio, most of it is not appropriate for small children's ears and I'm never without small children.  And apart from that, I just can't stand it!  Especially when they serve it up with slants, subjectiveness and not-so-clever bylines.  Just give me the facts and let me put my own spin on it.

Where have all the good journos gone?

5 comments:

  1. Agree. It's difficult enough for the victims' families without it playing out like a sport.

    Some people just don't think.

    Good for you for having a go!

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMG I couldn't agree with you more! I've had my own rant today about piece of shit journalism!

    News is just not news anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Journalism and media at its worst. I turn the volume down or put a cd on when the news comes on the radio. But now that I think about it the kids listen to the radio most days in their room. ergh! Lets write complaint letters to Mr Prime Minister!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sort of thing (sadly) happens all too often.
    Did you write/email the radio station?

    ReplyDelete

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