A quick look at today’s Sunday Independent demonstrates a great subtle use of editorial control and suggestion. There are three stories on the page: “Lenihan admits VAT error cost us €700m”, “Former FF adviser predicts June 5 general election”, and “RTE tells Nob Nation ‘go easy’ on Cowen over personal jibes.”

Each of these stories is reasonably newsworthy and decently written (though I’m not sure about “Embattled Finance Minister” as an opening- but, the Sindo does use tabloid-isms) but it’s the editorial control here that’s most interesting- the juxtaposition of all three elements together on the main page. The first two are easily front-page stories, but the third- internal wrist-slapping for dome personal attacks in RTÉ- really isn’t, in my opinion, front-page material. Other options included gang attacks, “Armed gang tie up post office owner”, Declan Ganley running for Europe, etc. But, its inclusion creates a staunchly anti-Fianna Fáil front page. On a casual glance, many readers might assume that the RTÉ story is somehow censorship-related (though the text makes it clear that it’s a solely internal affair, with no government pressure).

So what’s going on here? As far as I’m aware, the Sindo used to be pro-FF. Are they just appealing to the lowest common denominator, as their sister publication Herald AM does? Or is this just a once-off coincidence? I’d be surprised fi the latter were true, as this type of placement strikes me as obvious and intentional.

Posted by Dave Molloy in •Journalism

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