Quality of the Sligo post

brianthebard

Anyone else feel that the quality of this paper is sliding every week? It was never great to begin with, but this week was pretty awful. The front page was a boast about how the post found out that seven people had been arrested re: Tom Ward's murder (and then they counted out nine, so they can't even count and don't have a very good proof reading section). The editorial was too short, far too simplistic and boiled down to "politicans-they're all the same" which is not what you'd hope for from an editor. Finally there was an article slating the protests outside the Dail last wednesday. These people gave up their time and made the trip to sligo to try and force the government to retain cancer services, and so far they have forced at least two junior ministers on board. That should be seen as a good thing but all the writer could do was bitch. I know its a free paper and all, but I've read the kildare post and the the quality was much higher. What do other people think?

gustavo

The guy who writes the column about Rovers needs to have it proof read before publishing.

Rozbeef

also photographing drunk people in pubs is not really journalism now is it? hardly a mention of the highly succesfull parade a couple of weeks ago.

sligobhoy67

what annoys me is the lack of an updated on line version.

to give it its due it has the best on line edition on any paper I have seen - anywhere in the word - seriously!

but thats not much good if it only updates every couple of months

Xiney

The official story on the Sligo Post online eddition is that they are building a massive site to incorporate all 13 Rivermedia publications, thus the Sligo Post's website has not been updated.

brianthebard

Rozbeef wrote: »

also photographing drunk people in pubs is not really journalism now is it? hardly a mention of the highly succesfull parade a couple of weeks ago.

Agreed. It would be a much better paper if they halved the number of pages and just concentrated on getting it right, rather than having the fattest, but least readable paper in town.

Culchie

If they stopped cold calling businesses, selling advertising space it would be nice as well.

nicolaonfire

brianthebard wrote: »

Finally there was an article slating the protests outside the Dail last wednesday. These people gave up their time and made the trip to sligo to try and force the government to retain cancer services, and so far they have forced at least two junior ministers on board. That should be seen as a good thing but all the writer could do was bitch. I know its a free paper and all, but I've read the kildare post and the the quality was much higher. What do other people think?

OMG I am going to try and get a copy of it because I want to read that now!
That sounds really bad.
I'm not sure that all of the people writing articles in that paper are actual journalists, like certified and all or maybe they are? But it doesn't look like it!

Gillie

Define Journalist!

There are a lot bigger papers in Ireland with questionable material so I don't think the Sligo post is doing too bad!

sligobhoy67

Culchie wrote: »

If they stopped cold calling businesses, selling advertising space it would be nice as well.

get a grip - they are a business - they are trying to get new clients - of course they should phone business around the town to let them know about their service.

Xiney

Culchie wrote: »

If they stopped cold calling businesses, selling advertising space it would be nice as well.

Just try to remember that it's the higher ups dictating they do that. The ones doing it simply need a job - and are probably looking for something else.

smashey

You should all be happy that a Donegal company has considered Sligo important enough to give you a new paper.

Gillie

smashey wrote: »

You should all be happy that a Donegal company has considered Sligo important enough to give you a new paper.

Careful now!!!:D

brianthebard

nicolaonfire wrote: »

OMG I am going to try and get a copy of it because I want to read that now!
That sounds really bad.
I'm not sure that all of the people writing articles in that paper are actual journalists, like certified and all or maybe they are? But it doesn't look like it!

You don't have to be a journalist to be a journalist if you follow, but there are plenty of writers out there who never went to college and are far better than what gets published in the post.

Tbh gillie just because other papers aren't good either doesn't make the post better!

Gillie

brianthebard wrote: »

Tbh gillie just because other papers aren't good either doesn't make the post better!

True enough!

Culchie

sligobhoy67 wrote: »

get a grip - they are a business - they are trying to get new clients - of course they should phone business around the town to let them know about their service.

No problem with that. What is irritating is when you get several phonecalls on the same day from different people selling you advertising space in different 'features'.
Telemarketing/Telesales is fine for all concerned when it's properly done as a co-ordinated and targeted campaign.... when it's not, it's just as bad as email spam.

'Get a Grip' ? .... little OTT isn't it?

fillefatale

Its more of a tabloid than a newspaper..

SligoBrewer

i think its more like the buy and sell than a proper newspaper

il gatto

I just don't get it unless something grabs my attention. The Weekender has turned into a bit of a rag of late too. Also wedged with advertising. I find the Champion the best quality, even if I frequently disagree with the views or tone therein. We're well served in that such a small place has three newspapers, however. I suppose we have a choice, of sorts.

Mint Sauce

To be honest i think theres some good material in there..granted there are alot of ads, being a freesheet the revenue obviously runs the paper the balance is pretty good. Had a look at that dail story and it seems objective to me,and when you see they only have three journalists and an editor they do a good job compared to their competitors...see they broke the selling of another sligo paper this morning-they're on the ball:D

SligoBrewer

il gatto wrote: »

The Weekender has turned into a bit of a rag of late.

It's crusade with the hospital is p****** me off. Right, the government are wrong but its not their job to do what there doing.

brianthebard

Who's is it then? The Independant runs campaigns like that a lot in England and I think its a good idea. People have a habit of forgetting about these things if they aren't reminded regularly, and with the dail taking a xmas break this issue could go off the boil quite quickly, and the cancer services taken from under us without a fight.

Mint Sauce

I just noticed this topic again and its been ages since the Sligo Post has been the centre of attention..what does everyone think of the editorial content? I for one think its come on leaps and bounds recently. Some of the scoops in it that havent been in the other sligo papers, like the fella down in finglas who had his hand chopped off being an ex rovers player and they have given some great coverage to some breaking stories. Plus theres some good human interest stories that dont get a look in in our other publications in sligeach

TequilaMockingBird

I can never get it.

The Sligo Post I mean, before someone has a smart comment.

muffler

sueme wrote: »

I can never get it.

The Sligo Post I mean, before someone had a smart comment.

Do you want me to sticky this

TequilaMockingBird

muffler wrote: »

Do you want me to sticky this

Gillie? Gillie...COME BACK...

muffler

sueme wrote: »

Gillie? Gillie...COME BACK...

Oh the innuendoes

TequilaMockingBird

Back on topic please.

GILLIIIEEEEEE:eek:

Xiney

irish-stew wrote: »

I just noticed this topic again and its been ages since the Sligo Post has been the centre of attention..what does everyone think of the editorial content? I for one think its come on leaps and bounds recently. Some of the scoops in it that havent been in the other sligo papers, like the fella down in finglas who had his hand chopped off being an ex rovers player and they have given some great coverage to some breaking stories. Plus theres some good human interest stories that dont get a look in in our other publications in sligeach

And yet, I draw your attention to the pile of tripe on page 3 last week. The captions for the photos really made it:

[stock photo of woman nearlyeatingstrawberry] "LEFT INSET: Stawberry Passion"
[stock photo of nearly nude couple reclining with champagne, nearly kissing] "MAIN PHOTO - THE FIRST KISS: Two lovers Turn up the temperature."

Then the article starts with translations of 'I love you' in five languages, "There are many ways to say I love you" Honestly? You mean different languages have different ways of saying "I love you"?! I would never have guessed, Thank You Oh Wise Sligo Post.

Next paragraph is three yawningly pedestrian ways of celebrating valentine's day: flowers/chocolate, strawberries/champagne, sexy lingerie/fluffy pink handcuffs. I hope to the diety of your choice that the author has more creativity in his own love life.

The rest of the "article" (which is probably only 50 words total) has a three or four more cliches, but includes at one gramatical error per sentence.

All this on page 3, "News".


I mean. Really. I hope it was last minute filler when a story fell through, knocked together in 10 minutes. Because I can think of no other reason to include something so ridiculous on page 3. Probably only topped by that time the Post's front page headline was "SCUM!!!!!"



</rant>

brianthebard

I don't know about the editorials, they are way to short and not a lot is said in them. From the looks of the paper theres a lot of filler articles, surely the editor should be able to flesh out his piece, if only to take up a bit more room?
Also this weeks front page is just daft, its even less connected to sligo than the guy who got stabbed in Dublin. A woman from New York, who has probably never been to Sligo, was killed, and happens to have a family connection to the county. Surprise surprise, about 3 million Irish people in NY and someone comes from sligo. Its just such a non story , surely they can find something to write about thats actually related to the county?? All they look for is a way of getting a sensationalist headline on the front page and they are happy.

Radharc na Sleibhte

The Sligo post is cack.
I only ever pick it up for my doggies litter tray now.

However, I do enjoy a quick looksy through the centre photos to see do I know anyone.
Apart from that it's cack.
Even including that.

Did anyone ever read the column from some young one a few months ago about how sending someone funny e-mails in work can lead to sexual harassment? Stupidest/funniest/most ridiculous thing printed ever.

il gatto

Xiney wrote: »

And yet, I draw your attention to the pile of tripe on page 3 last week. The captions for the photos really made it:

[stock photo of woman nearlyeatingstrawberry] "LEFT INSET: Stawberry Passion"
[stock photo of nearly nude couple reclining with champagne, nearly kissing] "MAIN PHOTO - THE FIRST KISS: Two lovers Turn up the temperature."

Then the article starts with translations of 'I love you' in five languages, "There are many ways to say I love you" Honestly? You mean different languages have different ways of saying "I love you"?! I would never have guessed, Thank You Oh Wise Sligo Post.

Next paragraph is three yawningly pedestrian ways of celebrating valentine's day: flowers/chocolate, strawberries/champagne, sexy lingerie/fluffy pink handcuffs. I hope to the diety of your choice that the author has more creativity in his own love life.

The rest of the "article" (which is probably only 50 words total) has a three or four more cliches, but includes at one gramatical error per sentence.

All this on page 3, "News".


I mean. Really. I hope it was last minute filler when a story fell through, knocked together in 10 minutes. Because I can think of no other reason to include something so ridiculous on page 3. Probably only topped by that time the Post's front page headline was "SCUM!!!!!"



</rant>

What an insult to a piece of high brow journalism. I don't think you appreciated it on every level:D I just flicked on by, like I do with most of their "features".

Xiney

Some other gems from the Sligo Post:

The "Young Free & Single" column, who's columnist (Charlotte Moran) looks EXTREMELY pissed off in her identifying headshot. Tip: if you're going to have a single's column, written by a woman, you may want to avoid making her look like an angry, bitter hag.

Then there's the new, "Diary of a Sligo Student in Dublin" which, quite frankly, I very rarely get through because I have a vested interest in keeping my blood pressure stable. Last week's article was some daft lauding of Pancake Tuesday and deploring the poor pancakes that went sailing through the window. The last sentence "I passed all my exams" fills me with pity for those poor people who actually had to read and grade them. If this poorly written weekly article were a blog on livejournal, the only person reading it would be her mother.

The "text in your opinion" bit is ridiculous. First specimen from last week's paper pretty much says it all: "Does anyone know where da dog with da ball is who was always around town gone 2? (anon)" Wow. Simply. Wow.

Finally, the complete and total disregard for the English Language fills me with abject rage and utter horror. Do not get me wrong, I don't have a degree in English, so I'm no grammar expert. But I think people writing in a newspaper should know things as basic as the difference between "your" and "you're" and so on.


I just don't get the Post because it makes me to darn angry to read it... case in point I've ranted twice now about last week's issue and I didn't even pick up this week's.

Xiney

I was happy to see, however, that the Champion scooped them in this week's paper: that prostitution story that hit their front page today was one that the Silgo Post was working on since before Christmas - there was an editorial a while back promising a story that would "rock the very foundations of Sligo" or something similarly lame... well... that's what he meant...

TequilaMockingBird

Xiney wrote: »

The "text in your opinion" bit is ridiculous. First specimen from last week's paper pretty much says it all: "Does anyone know where da dog with da ball is who was always around town gone 2? (anon)" Wow. Simply. Wow.

da dog is dead. de sd it in de post 2day.




Apologies to the mods, the txt spk was in context.

Madge

brianthebard wrote: »

Also this weeks front page is just daft, its even less connected to sligo than the guy who got stabbed in Dublin. A woman from New York, who has probably never been to Sligo, was killed, and happens to have a family connection to the county. Surprise surprise, about 3 million Irish people in NY and someone comes from sligo. Its just such a non story , surely they can find something to write about thats actually related to the county?? All they look for is a way of getting a sensationalist headline on the front page and they are happy.

For a complete tabloid sensationalist non-story read the front page of this weeks 'Weekender'. Apparently Jack Nickolson (Hollywood star) may have ancestral links to Sligo and might be related to 9 million Lynches who may come from Sligo, or other some such waffle. The article was badly written. Couldn't understand what the "reporter" was actually trying to say. I laughed when I read they scoured the phone book and rang various Lynches in the locality. Such investigative journalism!

Radharc na Sleibhte

Xiney wrote: »

The "text in your opinion" bit is ridiculous. First specimen from last week's paper pretty much says it all: "Does anyone know where da dog with da ball is who was always around town gone 2? (anon)" Wow. Simply. Wow

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
ROFL. STOP YOU'RE KILLING ME.

It's so true.

brianthebard

Xiney wrote: »

Some other gems from the Sligo Post:

The "Young Free & Single" column, who's columnist (Charlotte Moran) looks EXTREMELY pissed off in her identifying headshot. Tip: if you're going to have a single's column, written by a woman, you may want to avoid making her look like an angry, bitter hag.

Then there's the new, "Diary of a Sligo Student in Dublin" which, quite frankly, I very rarely get through because I have a vested interest in keeping my blood pressure stable. Last week's article was some daft lauding of Pancake Tuesday and deploring the poor pancakes that went sailing through the window. The last sentence "I passed all my exams" fills me with pity for those poor people who actually had to read and grade them. If this poorly written weekly article were a blog on livejournal, the only person reading it would be her mother.

The "text in your opinion" bit is ridiculous. First specimen from last week's paper pretty much says it all: "Does anyone know where da dog with da ball is who was always around town gone 2? (anon)" Wow. Simply. Wow.

Finally, the complete and total disregard for the English Language fills me with abject rage and utter horror. Do not get me wrong, I don't have a degree in English, so I'm no grammar expert. But I think people writing in a newspaper should know things as basic as the difference between "your" and "you're" and so on.


I just don't get the Post because it makes me to darn angry to read it... case in point I've ranted twice now about last week's issue and I didn't even pick up this week's.

I'd have to add the whole teen scene section to this rant. The reviews are often of items that have been out ages (example- p.s. I love you, the book, was reviewed last week) and the column on the interweb is just wrong. Its not the young fellas fault, hes only 13!!!! But someone in the paper should have had the cop on to just say "no, this is a line we should not cross!" Also the reviews in general are just pointless, everything is great, nothing ever seems to have a problem. Great if you are one of the garages selling the reviewed cars for instance but its just silly if they can't show some critical edge. Perhaps they are afraid they won't be allowed do any more if they give out.

Madge wrote: »

For a complete tabloid sensationalist non-story read the front page of this weeks 'Weekender'. Apparently Jack Nickolson (Hollywood star) may have ancestral links to Sligo and might be related to 9 million Lynches who may come from Sligo, or other some such waffle. The article was badly written. Couldn't understand what the "reporter" was actually trying to say. I laughed when I read they scoured the phone book and rang various Lynches in the locality. Such investigative journalism!

Whats even worse about that is the Post actually "broke" that story last week!!! It was daft then and its even dafter in the Weekender.

Xiney

The Post is purely a vehicle for advertising. They have more people working on getting ads for it than are working on writing it - that's a fact.

They won't do critical reviews because they're only doing the reviews to get ads from the businesses. Sometimes they won't write about something happening in town if it's to do with a business, simply because that business refuses to advertise with them.


To be honest I'll be surprised if they're still in business in two years based on the way they treat their advertisers, as well.

Radharc na Sleibhte

Xiney wrote: »

To be honest I'll be surprised if they're still in business in two years based on the way they treat their advertisers, as well.

+1

TequilaMockingBird

I told one of the advertising salespersons about this thread many months ago. I was in a dispute over my own ads and pointed out how the reputation of the paper had dropped so much since they started. Oh well... they don't care, the cash is rolling in from the 90% ad content.

By the way, does anyone else read ads? I do.

Xiney

I have to admit, that years of internet browsing has conditionned me to ignore ads. I don't even see them - the only ones I see are fullpage/half page because they take up so much space they do register, but I so very rarely read them it doesn't matter.

Actually when I first started looking for a job in Sligo, I would sometimes accidentally skip over the larger job ads that were professionally designed - instead of catching my eye they did the opposite.

il gatto

The basic facts of the Sligo Post are that the people who own it also own numerous other papers, and I believe a couple of radio stations. From someone who knows their business better than me, I heard they intend to build up as many papers and radio licences as possible, and flog the entire thing as a large multi media company (wild speculation or insightful foretelling of things to come?). Until then, the Sligo Post will have to subsist on bargain basement journalism.
The Leitrim Post is a better paper, but then they still charge for that. I don't know if you pay for the quality, or the fact that it only has one competitor (Leitrim Observer) means they can charge for it.

Xiney

The parent company is Rivermedia, they own 13 papers (four in Co. Donegal alone), the Q radio station network up north, and Ocean FM.

Mint Sauce

Xiney wrote: »

The parent company is Rivermedia, they own 13 papers (four in Co. Donegal alone), the Q radio station network up north, and Ocean FM.

il gatto wrote: »

The Leitrim Post is a better paper, but then they still charge for that. I don't know if you pay for the quality, or the fact that it only has one competitor (Leitrim Observer) means they can charge for it.

also owned by the above company

Xiney

yup, was merely corroborating the PP's post.

starbelgrade

I find it slightly bizarre that there's so many people complaining about the quality of a free newspaper. If it were something that you paid for & were unhappy with, I'd understand, but it's not. It's not like anyone even HAS to read it!

AlmightyCushion

The out & about section is pretty good for potential stalking information but that's about it.

Xiney

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

The out & about section is pretty good for potential stalking information but that's about it.

I knew there was a saving grace to the rag...

il gatto

irish-stew wrote: »

also owned by the above company

I know that. It's still a better paper. The "they" I referred to was Rivermedia.

Xiney

This week's issue has a spelling/typing error on the front page.


*shakes head*

(I didn't get farther than that)