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Imagine being the subject of a major news story
peopleschmeople
Posts: 604 Forum Member
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The media tends to provide a character analysis of the central figure in a major news story, asking family members, colleagues, neighbours and friends for their views on the type of person he or she was, and providing an overview of their lifestyle.
Imagine that you were that central figure.Say, for example, you'd died in an accident, been murdered or gone missing (e.g. Claudia Lawrence), or perhaps you were responsible for the deaths of others (e.g. a serial killer or a mass shooter). What opinions would be given of you and your way of life, and how would that be presented by the media? Would people say mostly good things about you ("life and soul of the party", "highly intelligent", "a stunning girl who turned heads" or "lovable rogue") or would you be described in negative terms ("a loner with no friends")?
I'd be described as "not unpleasant and would pass the time of day with you" but "was shy and very awkward socially and tended to keep herself to herself", and .... "obviously loved her dogs and often said that she preferred them to people, which was a bit weird ...."
Over to you.
Imagine that you were that central figure.Say, for example, you'd died in an accident, been murdered or gone missing (e.g. Claudia Lawrence), or perhaps you were responsible for the deaths of others (e.g. a serial killer or a mass shooter). What opinions would be given of you and your way of life, and how would that be presented by the media? Would people say mostly good things about you ("life and soul of the party", "highly intelligent", "a stunning girl who turned heads" or "lovable rogue") or would you be described in negative terms ("a loner with no friends")?
I'd be described as "not unpleasant and would pass the time of day with you" but "was shy and very awkward socially and tended to keep herself to herself", and .... "obviously loved her dogs and often said that she preferred them to people, which was a bit weird ...."
Over to you.
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Comments
I dread to think. That's my number one fear. Being at the mercy of the the general public and gutter press.
The press would turn that into WEIRDO LONER who TALKS TO DOGS and CALLED THEM HER BABIES.
That's the bit I would worry about if I ever went missing ... the dirt digging. Oh, and the photo they would use :eek::eek:
The revelations about Claudia's private life should regarded as potentially shocking to her family rather than disrespectful.
Claudia has disappeared without any trace and the Police have a duty as part of the investigation to publicise, any aspects of her private life that may lead to finding out what happened to her.
But it would probably be 'a quiet, conscientious boy' (I always get 'conscientious'), 'awkward in social situations but was generally polite and thoughtful to people'. Also 'a probing, creative mind who always looked beneath the surface'.
From someone who didn't like me they'd probably say 'he was a weirdo who kept to himself and didn't like to mix with people, usually looking down on them in a snobby, cold manner'. lol
True, but there was an element of titillation in some of the gutter press when writing about the case, which would only add to the family's suffering.
But the revelations were factual. It is not the fault of the Press that Claudia's family were unaware of the complexities of her love life.
Nothing wrong with "conscientious". A good quality in the eye of employers too (it's on my CV anyway
It's a shame that some people confuse shyness with aloofness or "being stuck-up".
Well, mine is of one of my dogs (surprise!), which in itself is bound to point to my anti-social weirdness in the eyes of the tabloids. I did send my mum a half-decent photo of myself last week and told her to use it if I was ever in the papers, otherwise there'd be a photo of me aged 13 in my school uniform.
A young, socially inept man who regularly walked in a park in which an attractive young woman was stabbed to death in front of her son.
Or
An older man who lived alone in a flat in a converted house he owned in Bristol, and was the landlord of another flat in the same house in which an attractive young woman was murdered.
or
A social misfit who fantasised that he was Freddy Mercury's brother and was accused of murdering another attractive young woman, who also happened to be a well known TV presenter
All very pertinent examples of the media dissecting, and very likely destroying, the lives of ordinary people who ultimately turned out to have committed no crime, other than being different.
They'd probably say the same about me as about you.
Still ive had a front page before, and even be the subject of celebrity gossip, so ive been in the press before.
In pre social media days, I was in the papers (I'm talking a small column on page 9 sort of thing), & a police mug shot was printed - I looked very ugly in it & I was angry that the paper did not contact my solicitor rather than the police, who could've contacted my next of kin to get a decent photo.
It's one of my worst nightmares too! There are times that I often fantasise about becoming a rockstar or something then the thought of all the press intrusion comes into my head and I come crashing down to earth. :eek:
The Sun likes to use the term "rolypoly" when describing overweight people
I changed my profile pic and cover photo on facebook yesterday. My cover photo is my OH and I, he is pretty much covering me and half my face is covered by sunglasses and my profile pic is me stood on a beach but it's not a close up so they wouldn't be able to show my face very well, although I guess they'd crop it etc. They wouldn't be able to raid my friend list trying to find pics of me as it's hidden although they'd probably click on people who have liked and commented on my cover photos seeing as that's public. I'm sure if there are any pics of a person on the net then the press will find them, by whatever means necessary.
Really?! I don't think I've heard anyone use that since the 90s! :eek:
From September 2012:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/4539784/It-suits-you-Jonathan-Antoine.html