Why do people read tabloids?

Denerick

Was browsing the papers this morning and some of the tabloid headlines literally made me want to vomit. There was some spiel about some writer who apparantly raped someone (No need for a trial, of course) and others had breaking news front page stories about Imogen Thomas and some footballer.

By rights, shouldn't anyone with an IQ slightly above the mean be deeply misanthropic if this is what passes for national discourse in this country?

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Because a lot of people are either stupid or else don't like having to think. I've often seen people I'd regard as being reasonably intelligent reading the Star or Sun. When I ask them why they say 'Sure I only want a quick read I'm not interested in the ****e that would be in the big papers'. I think they'd be better off buying a colouring book and crayons.

Einhard

Some (many I'd wager) read tabloids because they want to be kept informed, but not to the extent where they want to read long, detailed analyses of a given situation. I'd much rather people kept up on the latest happenings in the world through tabloids, than not bother read anything, and thus be completely uninformed.

Then, there's also the sports. Soccer coverage in particular is far better in tabloids than in boradsheets.

And then there are the boobies on page 3!!:D


I'd point out also, that tabloids are far from alone in publishing articles that are defamatory to people.

Denerick

Einhard wrote: »

I'd point out also, that tabloids are far from alone in publishing articles that are defamatory to people.

Agreed, the indo (Which is somewhere between a tabloid and a broadsheet, though leaning more towards a tabloid in recent years) is particularly guilty of this. Just think of the Liam Lawlor/Ukranian 'prostitute' fiasco, for example.

The only Irish paper I buy is the Irish Times, and even that isn't very good. I used to get the Sunday Tribune but since its demise I've grown partial to the Sunday Business Post. Despite these options I find myself reading the English papers more and more, particularly the Guardian and sometimes the Financial Times.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

The standard of the Irish Independent goes downhill by the week.

finbarrk

The Examiner isn't too bad.

Liam Byrne

+1 re The Examiner

But I'm with the OP in relation to tabloids (or indeed, their "make up a shocking dramatic headline from nothing" sister and use 20 year old stats The Sunday Independent) ..... there's no reason to buy them.

StudentDad

I've fairly well given up on newspapers in this country. The red tops are a waste of time and money - I've no clue as to why anyone would bother buying one.

As for the usual suspects, The Irish Time etc etc., they've gone downhill in the past number of years. If I want to get an idea of whats happening in the world I'll read a selection of newspapers online and leave it at that.

SD

Denerick

StudentDad wrote: »

I've fairly well given up on newspapers in this country. The red tops are a waste of time and money - I've no clue as to why anyone would bother buying one.

As for the usual suspects, The Irish Time etc etc., they've gone downhill in the past number of years. If I want to get an idea of whats happening in the world I'll read a selection of newspapers online and leave it at that.

SD

I started reading the papers regularly when I was 14 or so (I'm 22 now) and haven't really noticed a discernible slide in the Irish Times... If anything it has improved by dispatching Myers in their 'Diary of an Irishman' slot.

Oh_Noes

The Indo is muck. The Times is slightly better but awkward to read in public spaces.

There was a time when I would be self-concious reading a tabloid newspaper, now I couldn't care less. I get a kick out of the sensationalism and don't really treat it as if it's a news source as such, just some eye bubblegum. I just get news apps on the phone now and read them if I want news.

HivemindXX

Einhard wrote: »

I'd much rather people kept up on the latest happenings in the world through tabloids, than not bother read anything, and thus be completely uninformed.

Except they are frequently misinformed by rabble rousing stories of flesh eating diseases, dole spongers being given free cars and public sector workers taking the queens birthday off.

If the choice is between a person reading nothing and accepting the tabloids view of things as their own unquestioningly I'd much rather they read nothing.

dx22

Irish broadsheets are sh1te with the exception of only a couple of journos tabloids are worse than that, but at least they are more concise and you can read on the bus/pub etc more easily

Snickers Man

Denerick wrote: »

Agreed, the indo (Which is somewhere between a tabloid and a broadsheet, though leaning more towards a tabloid in recent years) is particularly guilty of this. Just think of the Liam Lawlor/Ukranian 'prostitute' fiasco, for example.

Er I think you'll find that was the Sunday Tribune.

Denerick wrote:

I used to get the Sunday Tribune ......

Oops.

IRE60

Say what you will but at the last count there were 260,000 tabloids ('redtops' as opposed to tabloids in print format) sold every morning which made up 40% of the morning market.

The lust for tabloids rocketed on Sunday with 485,000 tabloids going across the shelf every Sunday and they make up 48% of the total Sunday market.

So, have all the theories you want about the papers - the facts are that they account for close to half the newspaper market in this country.

And, as we glanced off accuracy: @Snickers Man:Er I think you'll find that was the Sunday Independent.

IgnatiusJ

Why do people read tabloids? In a word: sport.

The sports coverage in tabloids is far more comprehensive than in broadsheets.

I buy two papers: the Times for news and the Star for football.

krd

Escapism.

The tabloids also reflect a mindset that exists. And people are scuzzy.

Irish people love escapism and fantasy.

Denerick

krd wrote: »

Escapism.

The tabloids also reflect a mindset that exists. And people are scuzzy.

Irish people love escapism and fantasy.

That sounds about right, unfortunately.

oneshotfinch

A very wise man once told me that tabloids were swiftly becoming the new illiteracy and to be honest I'd agree with him.

Rigor Mortis

Sports and the Daily Star has the best coverage of Music in this country in any of the papers bar Friday's Times.

mike65

A tabloid fits on the dash of a Transit quite snuggly (I'm told). They are also cheaper.

The "i" is even cheaper at 30c but at least it is a quality tabloid with no celeb crap in it! The only problem is that the circulation is very poor and newspread don't seem too interested in supplying the shops.

Gerty

IgnatiusJ wrote: »

Why do people read tabloids? In a word: sport.

The sports coverage in tabloids is far more comprehensive than in broadsheets.

I buy two papers: the Times for news and the Star for football.

When i was younger and on holidays i used to always buy a tabloid for reading. Keeping up to date with the summer transfers and thinking their sport was better. But i really don't agree with that now. You can't trust the redtops who love to speculate on transfers and are usually way off the mark. I don't want to read about them trying to sensationalize trivial non-stories. And their match reporting is worse in my opinion.

I understand though that some give better coverage to LOI/GAA so i see why people would have cause to buy them, not for football though.

p1akuw47h5r3it

Denerick wrote: »

That sounds about right, unfortunately.

Why do you say unfortunately?

I don't read tabloids, I find them a watse of time. But what's wrong with wanting to engage in escapism, or fantasy?

krd

DanDan6592 wrote: »

Why do you say unfortunately?

I don't read tabloids, I find them a watse of time. But what's wrong with wanting to engage in escapism, or fantasy?

There's a danger in living in a fantasy world all the time. Reality will eventually bite you in the arse.

The tabloids are not the only outlets at fault in indulging the public's insatiable appetite for make believe. Think about our recent history. I wonder what state would people be found in, if those RTE property porn shows were to go back and revisit them.

Denerick

DanDan6592 wrote: »

Why do you say unfortunately?

I don't read tabloids, I find them a watse of time. But what's wrong with wanting to engage in escapism, or fantasy?

It wouldbe fine only the tabloids are incredibly nasty and personal about celebrities and politicians. I'd rather they read Lord of the Rings, rather than read such immense crap.

expectationlost

about as much to read as a train journey home

kevin99

Denerick wrote: »

Agreed, the indo (Which is somewhere between a tabloid and a broadsheet, though leaning more towards a tabloid in recent years) is particularly guilty of this. Just think of the Liam Lawlor/Ukranian 'prostitute' fiasco, for example.
You've just repeated a 'libel'. That lady sued all Irish newspapers who carried that line about her which wasn't true.
And it wasn't the daily Indo rather the Sunday Indo that carried the story suggesting what she did for a living.

I would omit that line above about her of you may be in for a libel suit.

Denerick

Oh for Gods sake. I know its not true, and I'm sure anyone with even a teensy weensy bit of scepticism knows its not true. I was using that point to illustrate the lack of ethics in the media.