The Paper You Choose To Read
Discussion
I am finding it increasingly interesting to see people on this site derive social intellect from the choice of daily newspaper a person makes. I read many posts on various threads from people who seem to believe you must read a broadsheet, to be regarded as having any intelligence. Those who read the Sun are thought of by many as stupid or perhaps illiterate, without exception. This situation has been highlighted recently by the wealth of threads devoted to the General Election. Many people think that everyone who reads the Sun will automatically vote for Labour, because they are shempish fools who aren't clever enough to know better.
I read the Sun, and I shall be voting Conservatives this afternoon. The Sun isn't my paper of choice because of my lack of intelligence or reading skills, it's my paper of choice because I find it entertaining. Of course, the journalism isn't first class in terms of accuracy or factual-depth, but the paper does deviate (a lot) from other equally-biased but more forceful tripe I sometimes see in other papers, particularly the much-heralded broadsheets.
Papers like the Sun, Star, etc, tend to be held in contempt - and therefore mocked - by the sections of population that believe themselves to be middle-class. Of course, there is no longer a middle-class here in Britain, and so the judgement is quite unreasonable. I actually find it quite amusing to think that people who read the Times/Independant/Guardian, etc, believe themselves to be of higher intelligence (and therefore better) than myself, simply because they choose to read a more serious form of subliminal bullsh*t.
If I want serious and largely (as much as is possible) unbiased information, I tend to watch the news on the telly. A daily paper, to me, is just like a comic-book. I certainly don't form strong political (or otherwise) opinions based on what I read in the daily paper, in the same way I don't form strong opinions on social-standing just because I read GQ or the Rob Report.
A friend recently did a Sociology Paper about this very topic, and she focused on the ways in which a persons earnings were reflected in their choice of newspaper. She expected that people on lower earnings would read more tabloid stuff, and people on higher earnings would read more broadsheet stuff. In the end, the links were not so obvious, and she actually found that people tended to read a) the paper their parents had read in the past, or b) the paper they had a specific interest in. Seems obvious really.
However, she did notice that papers such as the Times, Independant, etc, were read the most by people who believed themselves to be of 'middle-class'. The survey demonstrated that these people believed themselves to be of a 'middle-to-high' standing in society, despite the fact that their yearly eanings were not that high (the average yearly-salary of this group was sub-£50k).
The survey also showed that it was this group of people who were the most vocal and outspoken on their low opinions of tabloid newspapers.
The spread of readership amongst people on higher and lower salaries was much wider than with this central group. Average wages for readers of the Sun newspaper were actually the second highest of the surveyed group, and this survey included every major daily newspaper in England. The survey itself was conducted amongst a wide spread of people in York city centre.
So why exactly is it that many broadsheet readers believe themselves to be better or more intelligent than tabloid readers? It cannot be because of the class system, because that no longer exists with the same merits that it was originally intended (class was traditionally linked to type of occupation, which was proportional with earnings - this is no longer the case, as many traditionally working-class people now earn more than their traditionally middle-class counterparts).
It also cannot be an issue of education-level. I know many very intelligent and educated people who read the Sun, Star, Mirror, etc.
At the end of the day, not everyone reads a daily newspaper to get a full and exclusive dose of factual information; some read it as a form of entertainment!
Sorry for the rant, but I honestly do find this subject very, very interesting. Just wondering what thoughts other people had?!
I read the Sun, and I shall be voting Conservatives this afternoon. The Sun isn't my paper of choice because of my lack of intelligence or reading skills, it's my paper of choice because I find it entertaining. Of course, the journalism isn't first class in terms of accuracy or factual-depth, but the paper does deviate (a lot) from other equally-biased but more forceful tripe I sometimes see in other papers, particularly the much-heralded broadsheets.
Papers like the Sun, Star, etc, tend to be held in contempt - and therefore mocked - by the sections of population that believe themselves to be middle-class. Of course, there is no longer a middle-class here in Britain, and so the judgement is quite unreasonable. I actually find it quite amusing to think that people who read the Times/Independant/Guardian, etc, believe themselves to be of higher intelligence (and therefore better) than myself, simply because they choose to read a more serious form of subliminal bullsh*t.
If I want serious and largely (as much as is possible) unbiased information, I tend to watch the news on the telly. A daily paper, to me, is just like a comic-book. I certainly don't form strong political (or otherwise) opinions based on what I read in the daily paper, in the same way I don't form strong opinions on social-standing just because I read GQ or the Rob Report.
A friend recently did a Sociology Paper about this very topic, and she focused on the ways in which a persons earnings were reflected in their choice of newspaper. She expected that people on lower earnings would read more tabloid stuff, and people on higher earnings would read more broadsheet stuff. In the end, the links were not so obvious, and she actually found that people tended to read a) the paper their parents had read in the past, or b) the paper they had a specific interest in. Seems obvious really.
However, she did notice that papers such as the Times, Independant, etc, were read the most by people who believed themselves to be of 'middle-class'. The survey demonstrated that these people believed themselves to be of a 'middle-to-high' standing in society, despite the fact that their yearly eanings were not that high (the average yearly-salary of this group was sub-£50k).
The survey also showed that it was this group of people who were the most vocal and outspoken on their low opinions of tabloid newspapers.
The spread of readership amongst people on higher and lower salaries was much wider than with this central group. Average wages for readers of the Sun newspaper were actually the second highest of the surveyed group, and this survey included every major daily newspaper in England. The survey itself was conducted amongst a wide spread of people in York city centre.
So why exactly is it that many broadsheet readers believe themselves to be better or more intelligent than tabloid readers? It cannot be because of the class system, because that no longer exists with the same merits that it was originally intended (class was traditionally linked to type of occupation, which was proportional with earnings - this is no longer the case, as many traditionally working-class people now earn more than their traditionally middle-class counterparts).
It also cannot be an issue of education-level. I know many very intelligent and educated people who read the Sun, Star, Mirror, etc.
At the end of the day, not everyone reads a daily newspaper to get a full and exclusive dose of factual information; some read it as a form of entertainment!
Sorry for the rant, but I honestly do find this subject very, very interesting. Just wondering what thoughts other people had?!
Perhaps, but why does that mean that the people reading the broadsheets must have a higher intelligence than those reading the tabloids?
I can read most things that are put in front of me; that doesn't mean I should only read the stuff that uses the biggest words!!!
>> Edited by fishtek69 on Thursday 5th May 10:36
I can read most things that are put in front of me; that doesn't mean I should only read the stuff that uses the biggest words!!!
>> Edited by fishtek69 on Thursday 5th May 10:36
fishtek69 said:
Perhaps, but why does that mean that the people reading the broadsheets must have a higher intelligence than those reading the tabloids?
I can read most things that are put in front of me; that doesn't mean I should only read the stuff that uses the biggest words!!!
>> Edited by fishtek69 on Thursday 5th May 10:36
In addition the broadsheets cover more intellectual subjects-what is the size of the business section in the Sun?.
fishtek69 said:
Perhaps, but why does that mean that the people reading the broadsheets must have a higher intelligence than those reading the tabloids?
I can read most things that are put in front of me; that doesn't mean I should only read the stuff that uses the biggest words!!!
I suspect that this is down to the supposition that there is a direct correlation between the range of one’s vocabulary and their intellect. (“They must be bright as they use lots of big words.” Something that is not necessarily true but can be an indication as to the level of a person’s education and intellect.
I always used to read the Sun, as The Beano looks a little sad in the hands of an 18 year old, and the Times every day (News of the Screws on Sundays). Nowadays I have very little time but tend to read the Eastern Daily Press in reception and try to watch at least one news programme a day.
O/T Many years ago there also used to be a suggestion that there is a particular art to reading a broadsheet which the horney handed sons of toil could never master due to the ham fisted ness induced by the calluses on their hands. Thus making the tabloid format more accessible to them…
JagLover said:
Perhaps, but why does that mean that the people reading the broadsheets must have a higher intelligence than those reading the tabloids?
I can read most things that are put in front of me; that doesn't mean I should only read the stuff that uses the biggest words!!!
>> Edited by fishtek69 on Thursday 5th May 10:36
In addition the broadsheets cover more intellectual subjects-what is the size of the business section in the Sun?.
I think the business section is made up of a photo of a glamour model wearing fake glasses and a suit jacket with her tits out.
I wont read the red tops not because of some implied intelligence level but because I have seen, first hand, the way they go about acquiring their stories.
I am not suggesting that the broadsheets are any better which is why I rarely read them.
No media gives an unbiased view. Bring on the day of alway on broadband for mobiles so you can see first hand through someones camera lens what is going on in the world not the spinning view of a politically aligned reporter who leaves the facts on the cutting room floor.
I am not suggesting that the broadsheets are any better which is why I rarely read them.
No media gives an unbiased view. Bring on the day of alway on broadband for mobiles so you can see first hand through someones camera lens what is going on in the world not the spinning view of a politically aligned reporter who leaves the facts on the cutting room floor.
I read the Grauniad most days, and the Sunday Torygraph.
I read the Daily Nimby (or 'Mail' as I believe is the real name) whenever I'm at my parents.
I read Private Eye because I like reading about sleaze, corruption and lies.
I read Viz because I like jokes about poo.
I haven't read the Sun since Hillsborough. Can't remember when I last read one of the other redtops, but I read Metro every day to get a similar kind of level of information/entertainment.
I wish I knew what I was 'supposed' to read for my demographic...
I read the Daily Nimby (or 'Mail' as I believe is the real name) whenever I'm at my parents.
I read Private Eye because I like reading about sleaze, corruption and lies.
I read Viz because I like jokes about poo.
I haven't read the Sun since Hillsborough. Can't remember when I last read one of the other redtops, but I read Metro every day to get a similar kind of level of information/entertainment.
I wish I knew what I was 'supposed' to read for my demographic...
I read the Times and the Sunday Times.
I used to read the Mail or the Express but switched to the Times when I was about 25.
I have to say that I think that Times has gone down hill consideably since becoming a tabloid. Is that just my perception because of the size or has it really changed?
I also take Private Eye which I read for the real news.
(They were warning about Rover 2 years ago).
I used to read the Mail or the Express but switched to the Times when I was about 25.
I have to say that I think that Times has gone down hill consideably since becoming a tabloid. Is that just my perception because of the size or has it really changed?
I also take Private Eye which I read for the real news.
(They were warning about Rover 2 years ago).
For the sun readers on here I've translated fishtek69's post....
Ain’t it a noggin twister when folks slag off me brains cause of the paper I choose. Peeps think that cause they read a bigsheet they’re the only ones with nonce. Us current bunnies are either dim or cannot read – to a tee. Because of the voting day this has become more shiny. Lots of ‘em think that any one who picks the current bun is a reddie tony boy cause they aint got the nonce to know any better.
I’m a current bunnie and my X will be blue this afternoon. I don’t pick the sun cause I don’t read so good or I’m a sandwich short of a picnic – it’s cause the sun’s the best. It may not have all the boring bits of the stories and sometimes it may miss a trick or two but its honest with most of it and doesn’t hide behind fancy words like them bigsheets.
They look down on us Sun and star readers cause they think they’re betterer than us. Well I say they’re aint no middle class anymore so who’s looking down at who eh? Bit of a giraffe that the bigsheet readers think they ‘ave more nonce just cause they’re bigsheet readers.
If I want boring I watch the news on the box – my daily is me entertainment. I don’t make up my mind about those MPs and things just cause it says I should in black and white. Just like I don’t buy Mach 3 stuff cause its in my FHM.
Me bird recently asked a load of blokes in York why they read what they did and it had nowt to do with the amount of wonger they brought home – it was cause they read what they were brought up to read or if they liked the cover – simple innit.
She spied that the bigsheets were read by them ‘uggers that just like to think that they’re better than us and most didn’t have the serious wads that sorts the Beckhams from the Claphams.
Her survey also said that Bigsheet equals bigmouth and that Current bun readers were second highest wad earners
So why is this? - over to you
If you think that the Sun readers are the best ring 0898 111111
If you think bigsheets are only read by boffins ring 0898 222222
calls cost £100 per second
Ain’t it a noggin twister when folks slag off me brains cause of the paper I choose. Peeps think that cause they read a bigsheet they’re the only ones with nonce. Us current bunnies are either dim or cannot read – to a tee. Because of the voting day this has become more shiny. Lots of ‘em think that any one who picks the current bun is a reddie tony boy cause they aint got the nonce to know any better.
I’m a current bunnie and my X will be blue this afternoon. I don’t pick the sun cause I don’t read so good or I’m a sandwich short of a picnic – it’s cause the sun’s the best. It may not have all the boring bits of the stories and sometimes it may miss a trick or two but its honest with most of it and doesn’t hide behind fancy words like them bigsheets.
They look down on us Sun and star readers cause they think they’re betterer than us. Well I say they’re aint no middle class anymore so who’s looking down at who eh? Bit of a giraffe that the bigsheet readers think they ‘ave more nonce just cause they’re bigsheet readers.
If I want boring I watch the news on the box – my daily is me entertainment. I don’t make up my mind about those MPs and things just cause it says I should in black and white. Just like I don’t buy Mach 3 stuff cause its in my FHM.
Me bird recently asked a load of blokes in York why they read what they did and it had nowt to do with the amount of wonger they brought home – it was cause they read what they were brought up to read or if they liked the cover – simple innit.
She spied that the bigsheets were read by them ‘uggers that just like to think that they’re better than us and most didn’t have the serious wads that sorts the Beckhams from the Claphams.
Her survey also said that Bigsheet equals bigmouth and that Current bun readers were second highest wad earners
So why is this? - over to you
If you think that the Sun readers are the best ring 0898 111111
If you think bigsheets are only read by boffins ring 0898 222222
calls cost £100 per second
Very funny Jinx. Not quite along the lines of the serious discussion I aimed for, but most amusing all the same.
I take the point raised about business sections, etc. Reading a paper because of it's specific content seems fair to me, and indeed if I wanted or needed to read regular and up-to-date business information, I'd probably stray from the Sun for that.
It just bugs me a little that many people believe an educated and/or intelligent person couldn't or shouldn't read such a tabloid. Simply because I can read any english paper with ease (as most people probably could) doesn't mean I should choose the wordiest paper to read every day.
I do sometimes read other papers, and I admit that if I wanted to read some 'real' informative news, I'd take a look at something other than the Sun. I tend to use the internet to get my dose of 'proper' news, as it is often less biased than the daily papers.
To me, the Sun is just a lighthearted form of daily entertainment. It's just a little unfair to be thought of as illiterate just because I choose it regularly over the Times.
I take the point raised about business sections, etc. Reading a paper because of it's specific content seems fair to me, and indeed if I wanted or needed to read regular and up-to-date business information, I'd probably stray from the Sun for that.
It just bugs me a little that many people believe an educated and/or intelligent person couldn't or shouldn't read such a tabloid. Simply because I can read any english paper with ease (as most people probably could) doesn't mean I should choose the wordiest paper to read every day.
I do sometimes read other papers, and I admit that if I wanted to read some 'real' informative news, I'd take a look at something other than the Sun. I tend to use the internet to get my dose of 'proper' news, as it is often less biased than the daily papers.
To me, the Sun is just a lighthearted form of daily entertainment. It's just a little unfair to be thought of as illiterate just because I choose it regularly over the Times.
Sorry fishtek - things are a little slow here.
You're right though there is a perceived intelligence quotiant associated with the size and "class" of the daily paper. This bares little resemblance to the content within except perhaps the language used. You will find that Monday's Sun will contain pretty much every story in the Sunday times though condensed into a more reader friendly form (lazy journalism at its best).
All papers these days are little more than thinly veiled opinions with a passing reference to "news" - I think the Jam said it best "the public wants what the public gets". We know the bias (though may only be unconsciously aware of it) and buy a paper that reflects our own bias.
You're right though there is a perceived intelligence quotiant associated with the size and "class" of the daily paper. This bares little resemblance to the content within except perhaps the language used. You will find that Monday's Sun will contain pretty much every story in the Sunday times though condensed into a more reader friendly form (lazy journalism at its best).
All papers these days are little more than thinly veiled opinions with a passing reference to "news" - I think the Jam said it best "the public wants what the public gets". We know the bias (though may only be unconsciously aware of it) and buy a paper that reflects our own bias.
JagLover said:
It is a documented fact that the difficulty of the words used, the 'reading age', is lower for tabloids than for Broadsheets.
I also tend to read the sun if only for the fact that i can scan through it in the time to drink a cuppa first thing, then if anything of real interest does catch my eye i can spend a little more time researching on the net or even got the hassle of trying to read a broadsheet, but then i will need a decent size floor to spread it all out and read, cant be done with the hassle to be honest.
yes i know there are smaller versions now, hassle to find some days, and still you have to deal with the verbal masturbation and windage that is not done in the sun when writing for the perceived lowest denominator.
takes a wise man to explain something complicated in a way anyone can understand any fool can repeat what they heard as they heard it. imho of course. ;-)
When I was studying for my ACA qualification one of the papers we had to sit was a case study. This was a 4 hour paper and the exam paper consisted of 50 or so A4 sheets of information that had to be digested and a question answered based on all that info.
When we were being taught how to write this paper they always told us to write in the style of The Sun newspaper and not in the style of a broadsheet.
The reason they said this was that the report had to be punchy and to the point and to avoid any unnecessary waffle (that's what they said anyway).
I followed this methodology and managed not only to pass the paper but to get a 6th place in the Thames Valley for it!!
Page 3 of my report was a dodgy photo of missus by the way.
When we were being taught how to write this paper they always told us to write in the style of The Sun newspaper and not in the style of a broadsheet.
The reason they said this was that the report had to be punchy and to the point and to avoid any unnecessary waffle (that's what they said anyway).
I followed this methodology and managed not only to pass the paper but to get a 6th place in the Thames Valley for it!!
Page 3 of my report was a dodgy photo of missus by the way.
The SUN with its simple texts and focus on articles that don't need previous knowledge is clearly aimed to entertain people without education and/or low intelligence. That doesn't mean that it is not read by people that have more assets than the minimum required.
I don't, however, understand how someone with average intelligence can condone (let alone support) a newspaper that clearly is targeted to motivate its readers to vote for one certain party.
We all learnt that it is indispensable for a functioning democracy that every individual makes up his own mind what to vote; based on a minimum level of education.
I don't, however, understand how someone with average intelligence can condone (let alone support) a newspaper that clearly is targeted to motivate its readers to vote for one certain party.
SUN www frontpage said:
We all learnt that it is indispensable for a functioning democracy that every individual makes up his own mind what to vote; based on a minimum level of education.
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