'Which paper do you read?' poll results/discussion

astralbee

clunkymug wrote: »

The Mail is truly disturbing paper. It backed Hitler in the 30's; promotes itself on headlines featuring witch-hunts and sensationalism - "give them something to hate every day" – whips up hysteria over minor issues; has campaigns which have the sole purpose of promoting fear (Maddy, Diana, immigrants, taxes, Labour, Guardian-readers, etc) to sell more copies; it falsely accused Covell of organising riots in Italy; it contradicts itself continually; I could go on.

It is a paper that long ago sacrificed journalistic integrity for naked profit and, frankly, should be banned.

For the above reasons, I suspected that a high proportion of this website's readership would be mail readers - and I was right! Sorry, I ought to clarify - I'm not calling everyone a fascist!! But the reason the Mail backed Hitler in the 1930's was because they reported how he was getting tough and sorting out the country's economy. In the newspaper's defence, I should point out that they quickly stopped singing his praises when he started gassing people. Nevertheless, the then broadsheet lost readers and had to reinvent itself as a tabloid.

So the Mail is now easier to hold and fold but little else has changed. It still appeals to people who believe the country's economy could be improved through tougher policies on things like immigration (I apologise for summarising Hitler's politics as 'tough') which is why it is the first to report and exaggerate any issues on the subject. My personal favourite example was their 'cut out and keep' list of French foods to boycott during the French blockade on English poultry in 1999.

So yes, we are all gathered here because we'd like to see better economic times for ourselves and our families. Most of the methods promoted here on this site are things that we can do by ourselves, for ourselves; but the forum activity proves we are willing to help our fellow man too. So long as we can extend that beyond our national borders then we can safely say we haven't been influenced by Clemente Crabbe et al.

D

Spudnik_2

I don't often buy papers - I'm too cheap for that! But when I do, it's the Guardian, or very occasionally the Indie if they don't have any Guardians in. Generally, though, I read the news online.

caseyr - obviously, the benefit of buying a paper copy of the Guardian is that I can read it whilst swatting poor people and tutting. :rolleyes:

fedupfreda

Just a small point - I gave up buying a paper when I realised I was wasting £200 a year on being made angry/miserable/wound up (can't you just tell I used to read the daily mail???):o

I agree with a lot of the other posters on here, they are all the same anyway, full of hype/spin/controversy just to sell papers, I now get my news via the internet, much more neutral (and a dam sight cheaper I have to add!):rotfl:

ormus

i used to read the telegraph or the times. dont bother now with any paper.
the internet does it all.

i miss the sunday times though.

Chris25

I buy a local daily paper (Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat) & have a look online at the nationals if I feel the need

DD [STRIKE]needs[/STRIKE] likes to check out the 'Style' section of the Sunday Times so usually go with that.

economiser

I'm old enough to remember when newspapers were newspapers. Today they are more like magazines with little in news in depth and obsessed with trivia like sport and celebrities. The have been in decline ever since the Times stopped putting classifieds on the front page.

Iguana

I read the Mail (including Saturfay and Sunday) but I also read the Telegraph on a Saturday and the Express on Sunday.
I buy a local paper and we get two free ones through the door; I also read a variety online.
My preferred reading is the Telegraph or the Sunday Times; I think the Mail is preferable to the Sun or Mirror!!!!!! Its difficult enough reading the Telegraph on a Saturday in its entirety (SPELLING?) and the Mail is easy to read.

Paddington

I read The Week which summarises all the other papers. I think it gives a good, condensed yet balanced overview.

homedeeth

it clearly suggests that moneysavingexperts are gossip mongering, celebrity cellulite infatuated women!

gatita

Unfortunately I cannot afford to buy a newspaper everyday.......... The price of them is a joke now, and even if I could afford to waste the money I wouldn't.
I read the news online, and can choose several points of view.