Irish Times sub-editing

Victor

Sometimes, it just makes me want to cry how far things have fallen.

Today. OK, its a small error, but it is rather obvious and it should have been picked up.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0208/breaking34.html

Two men, aged 33, 34 and 38, were arrested today ...

Yesterday. Its difficult to follow this section. "She" is used too much and it is unclear whether it refers to the (a) witness (b) Swedish prosecutor (c) British prosecutor or some other person. You have to read the third paragraph for the first one to make much sense.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0208/1224289258229.html

.... []

Former Swedish judge Brita Sundberg-Weitman [What role does she have in this case?] sharply criticised Ny’s conduct during exchanges with Robertson, and later with Clare Montgomery QC for the crown prosecution service.

“She [Who is "she"?] seems to take it for granted that everybody under prosecution is guilty. I think she is so preoccupied with the situation of battered women and raped women that she has lost balance,” she said [Who said this?]. Assange was interviewed about the lesser allegations while he was still in Sweden, but not about the rape charge. His offer to meet with police on a Sunday was refused because officers were on a day off, Robertson told the court.

Sundberg-Weitman, a witness called by the Assange team, agreed. “It would have been so simple to have him heard while he was in Sweden. After he left Sweden it would also have been very easy to have him questioned by telephone, video-link or at an embassy,” she said. Frequently critical of the judiciary of which she was once a part, the former judge said she could “hardly imagine” a case where more harm has been done to a person “than in this matter”.

santosubito

There are two pieces on the front page of the sports section by Emmett Malone.
The second one refers to "last game's game", instead of last night's game. Shoddy.

In fact, I see the error is still online:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0209/1224289345814.html

"Both managers, though, will see last game’s game as providing concrete proof that each has a fair bit still to do to get their respective sides where they’d like to be."


Moreover, I have noticed that his introductory paragraphs are ridiculously long.

From the same article (50 words!):

"THE pre-match talk about wanting to win this Carling Nations Cup might have been taken as playing the game for the sake of the sponsors and ticket sales but Giovanni Trapattoni will be genuinely pleased his players have something, however notional, to aim for when the event resumes come May."


And, from the main piece on the game (57 words!):

"A GLANCE at their recent record and depleted squad always suggested Wales might be something of a soft touch in this opening game of the Carling Nations Cup but then a look at the Republic of Ireland’s results over the past six months or so would provide a swift reminder that nothing could be taken for granted."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0209/1224289345858.html

The Irish Times is the only paper anywhere on these islands where these intros would not be cut in half by a decent sub.

kevin99

I agree his intros are way too long. Should be cut to 20 words max.
However, he probably wrote his piece on his laptop and sent it to the sports desk having agreed the story length with the chief sports sub.
So, whoever subbed it probably just put a heading on the story and a few sub head and off it goes to paste up.
I always remember being told that the difference between the Irish Times and Irish Independent was that the former is a reporters' paper and the latter a subs' paper.
Emmet Malone might insist that his copy cannot be editor or re-written. Whereas other progressive newspapers would re-write his copy, whether he liked it or not.

But in fairness to whoever 'subbed' his copy on the night, Malone himself should have read his copy for any glaring errors like the one highlighted by you.

I've noticed poor spelling and grammar as well as poor sentence construction is gathering pace in Irish journalism. It amazes me there aren't better eagle news editors/sports editors to spot these errors.

Reporters should always read their copy thoroughly. And if the 'desk is screaming for the copy let them wait a few more minutes to ensure accuracy.

santosubito

Good points, Kevin.

The standard of subbing has disimproved markedly in the last few years.

I no longer read my stories in the paper to preserve my blood pressure levels.

mike65

Got worse - not disimproved, I'd definitely sub-edit you

santosubito

I dont nede no subbing tanx

But I admit my use of the word disimproved was quite poncey.