Getting it wrong?

Elmo

It seems to me that many reporters get the underlying news stories incorrect.

For example the current story about the "merger" of Ulster Bank and First Active.

Should it not have been reported as the closure of First Active

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0126/ulsterbank.html
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0126/breaking8.htm
http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/business/750-jobs-to-be-shed-in-first-active-restructuring-1614841.html

Restructuring seems closer to the truth IMO.

The business pages often just report the Press Release without actually asking any questions or suggesting what is really happening.

The headlines should have read: -

Ulster Bank to close First Active

But maybe that is to alarmist!

jdivision

Well the story was in the Sunday times first. What did they say?

Elmo

http://news.google.ie/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&tab=wn&ncl=1297061651.

I could find the Sunday Times report. They all seem to be talking about Restructuring or Merging rather than closing which is what is happening.

Royal Bank of Scotland (the parent company of Ulster Bank) have choosen to close their other operation, First Active. Staff in both companies will be offered Redundancy and some First Active Staff will join the staff at Ulster Bank. All First Active Branches will close.

It seems to me that newspapers just want to report the news the way RBoS would like them to report it: -

From firstactive.ie

Service, strength and choice
What First Active's merger with Ulster Bank means for customers
First Active has been a part of the Ulster Bank Group since 2004. Recently, we've taken an important decision: in late 2009, First Active will merge with Ulster Bank to create a single bank which is better positioned than ever before to look after customers' needs across Ireland.

This means that First Active stores will be merged with Ulster Bank branches to deliver an even wider range of financial services including cash services and foreign exchange across a network of 145 branches in the Republic of Ireland.

During the changeover, First Active customers do not need to do anything as we will be taking all the necessary steps to make the process as smooth as possible.

Elmo

The Sunday Times ran with the correct headline

Ulster Bank closes First Active mortgage arm

I amn't just talking about this story, I am talking about many stories where the newspapers seem happy to report the Press Release. If I want a press release I will go to the companies press release section on their web page.