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Newspaper Coverage
Newspaper Coverage
Monday, 29th Mar 2004 00:00

Newspaper Coverage: The Arguments For The Comments

Newspaper Coverage

After some time off I'm back, and I think that once again, what I am going to say may go against the grain on here, but hey, what the heck! I am amazed to read on here the blinkered views that many are showing towards the current press coverage the club are receiving. It is not gutter journalism, tabloid journalism, journalism at it's worst, twisting the facts, or Cardiff bias, as alleged by many on here, far from it. It is the general reaction of most people not fettered by a passionate feeling for Swansea City Football Club. Too many people on here are so passionate about their belief (not in itself a bad thing) that it clouds their view on all things Swans related. Anytime a journalist dares to tell it as it is, in a way which doesn't reflect well on the club, all hell breaks loose and they are accused of all sorts. Believe me, a newspapers role is not simply to report a story as the club would like it to, ie the minimum coverage based on a two paragraph statement, as was released by the club two weeks ago. The role of a newspaper is to reflect the views of its readership, and to get to the heart of the story, by digging beneath the statement to try and get to the background of the story. The simple fact that the Post's poll results showed that the majority of their readers felt that Flynn should stay, would be enough for the editor to know what way the coverage should go. Beyond that, journalists have been accused of twisting the facts, which I don't agree with. They ask the questions, and can only write based on what the responses are. If no interviewees have said 'It was the right decision to get rid of Flynn' then they cant run that story can they? The fact that all the interviewees have said 'it was the wrong decision' also shapes their coverage, as that is what they have to work with. As any responsible journalists would do, they have offered Huw Jenkins the right to reply, which he has done. They have offered Flynn the same opportunity, but he has declined. I cannot see for the life of me, what is unfair there? Whilst the majority on here agreed with their view (I am not knocking anyone for having that opinion), you have to look at reactions elsewhere to understand why the press are covering it like they are. Dai's site was pro-Flynn in the majority, the Post was pro-Flynn in the majority, and also, away from the hardcore, where people aren't so passionate about things, there is ageneral feeling of disbelief from people who are looking at it dispassionately, based only on what they see from the outside. Another thing - I notice that people have been quick to knock some of the commentators who have written or spoken pro-flynn. eg Abbadonato, Mark Orders, Ian Walsh, but there has been a deathly silence when it comes to comments from Curt in his interview with the Wales On Sunday yesterday. For those that missed it, he said the club is a shambles and has been for a long time, he couldnt fathom out the decision to get rid of Flynn and even after speaking at length to the chairman he still couldn't fathom it out. So, those are the views of a Swansea legend, working inside the club, who has the club at heart and who everyone on here without exception I believe, regards rightly as a legend So why has no-one commented on that, like they have on other people views. Perhaps its because the truth hurts, especially when it comes from someone close to you? I know that many on here will not agree, the same as I do not agree with others views. However, I fully accept that each is entitle to their own opinion, and I enjoy healthy debate. However, if like StAthans idiot, all you can come up with is that all pro-Flynnites are a bunch of idiots, or like JackArmy2, who could only accuse Colsy49 of talking 'a load of crap', please, don't bother responding, just go elsewhere. If on the other hand, you want to be constructive, please feel free to respond. I genuinely don't mind when people disagree with me!!

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?

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