Thursday, October 04, 2007

Daily Mail knows...

The Economist magazine told them.

I wondered how long it would take the Daily Mail to catch on to our accusations....

I imagine it is Edward Lucas from the Economist who writes on the magazine’s blog:

Wondering if the whole thing might be a misunderstanding, this blogger gave Ms Reid a quick telephone call. Ms Reid said she was the special investigations editor of the Daily Mail. She cheerfully confirmed that she had brought a Polish driver to Britain where he had driven through congestion charge areas without paying and parked illegally. Was this not paying someone to break the law, your blogger asked. "No, it's a civil offence," she replied. "We never did any speeding. We decided against it."

The story has not been published in the Daily Mail yet, as the newspaper was waiting to see if any tickets turned up in Poland, Ms Reid added. None had arrived yet.

It’s a civil offense. Oh. So on that basis, my post should have read:

“Daily Mail pay Poles to go and commit Civil Offenses.

There is a difference there. But not much, as far as yucky journalism goes.

Read more of the Economist blog post here, in which, I think, the gentleman blogger is telling off the Mail, but very gently.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

We can only hope that the Daily Mail and Ms Reid will not attempt to “research” a story involving Poles committing murder. One can only image the potential for mayhem.

michael farris said...

Uh beat? This is the third post in four days here about a story that has not been printed by a British newspaper.

There really are more interesting things going on in Poland right now (I know, I know, write it myself ...)

beatroot said...

Well, yes...

But the whole point of this, is that when a blog has an oppotunity to actually add something to the debate in the media about something, it should take it. Various blogs occasionally do this. This time, it is this blog which is doing it and breaking stories, instead of our usual diet, of just reacting to what MSM do - and not calling them into account, which is what I am doing now.

Because of this story I have increased readership here by about THREE TIMES...and hits from regulars (i.e. hits from those who have been here before) by around 140 percent.

So to increase readership in future, this story and the impression it makes, is central to this blog's ever all game plan.

If blogs have a finction then it is the one I am doing with this story. Journalists in the MSM are not going to get away so easily with shit practices like the one I am describing.

So, sorry, but there will be more posts like this if more MSM get involved.

And yes, there is an election campaign going on and that will get the coverage it deserves. And when I do that, the blog will have many more readers than before. And there will be even more to read your comments, Mike.

I was going to give up blogging this summer. I had just about done what I set out to do with it. But then I decided: what if I take it a bit further? So that is what I am trying to do.

Frank Partisan said...

My plan to take my blog to the next level, is find a template where I could have two or three discussions at once.

I was thinking when coalitions have demonstrations, have my blog listed as a sponsor.

I could find some Pole to break traffic laws.

Anonymous said...

You are now hitting the big time beatroot!!

Interesting that (probably) Ed Lucas picked up on your story. Maybe the Daily Mail has stopped taking his rants/opinions pieces on CEE.

Anonymous said...

Remember, it's not the number of "hits" that counts. It is the number of "postings" that is more important for any blog. Otherwise, I'm glad you caught Ms. Reid red handed. Someone out there should now hire an undercover investigator to catch her off guard in and unacceptable situation. That would certainly turn the tables.

Cheers,
Joanna Blois

Anonymous said...

Hits. Posts.

Baseball. Fence installers.

What really matters?

beatroot said...

Fence installers.

Anonymous said...

#%^@%^ Humanist!

beatroot said...

...fence installers?

Is that a trade, or a hobby?

Anonymous said...

A hobby?

Damien Moran said...

Fence installation would be quite a useful trade/hobby leading into the elections. One would have the chance to barricade all Polish politicians into spontaneously constructed pens/dens thus preventing them from annoying us over the coming weeks, years, etc.

While incarcerated then we could give them each a baseball bat, let them batter the shite out of each other and whoever ends up surviving the battle can get sent for a holiday to Baghdad to take over the Polish ambassador's job.

beatroot said...

Or,,,we could get the fence installers to build some fences politicians to sit (astride) on...and then we could tie weights to their shoes...

Anonymous said...

Or we could get the fence installers to put up just the posts and sharpen each one ala "sztywny pal Azji" and ensure that politicians sit appropricately astride each one.

Anonymous said...

Hey BR, you been whisked away in the middle of the night for fomenting sedition or sumptin?

beatroot said...

I'm back....

michael farris said...

I honestly don't see what the fuss is about. Provocations by journalists have a long history and all things considered I'd prefer to give them the benefit of a doubt whenever possible.

Now the presumed motives of the journalist are possibly not that admirabl. But it doesn't seem beyond the bounds as long as the paper would pay any fines that appear and they make the point that British drivers can and do get away with infractions abroad for the same reason.

beatroot said...

You see Mike, journlaists are meant to REPORT what has happened. Not MAKE them happen. It's a ethical fing, innit...and plenty of journalists are a little suprised by these antics

michael farris said...

I've been involved in journalism too. And I know from direct experience that if journalists weren't willing to provoke situations sometimes, all kinds of bad situations might not come to light.

I do agree that the apparent judgment and goals of the journalist (to portray Poles as inherent lawbreakers) is suspect.

I'd also think more highly of the process if she borrowed the cars of various foreigners and broke the traffic laws herself (and paid the fines when/if they arrived and accepted any other legal consequences).

Anonymous said...

"It's a ethical fing, innit..."

Dear British people,

Please never ever use the word 'innit' again, either in speaking or writing. Thanking you in advance for your consideration I remain,

sincerely yours,
The rest of the world

beatroot said...

Innit?

Anonymous said...

We would suggest stopping by the helpful web page for additional facts.


Also visit my blog; Flex belt discount

Anonymous said...

It serves much more purposes and it can't be destroyed or consumed physically.

Here is my webpage: flex belt reviews