advice on talking to the dead

bianchimoon

help me out here if you have a minute, there was an article in our local rag. which I say (think) is advertising not journalism, i do feel strongly about this stuff and was discussing it via mail with the deputy editor, if you have a moment to read would you class this as journalism in its true sense or an advertising feature?
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1 ... _the_dead/

team47b

I don't know your local rag, but including dates and locations is advertising the events, a 'proper' newspaper would not have given this level of detail.

Is there an ad somewhere in the paper for this event? If so this is effectively complimentary advertorial. If not it is someone's press release being used as editorial by lazy journo's.

Perhaps she is a close friend of the editor or his dead father

bianchimoon

No it's not an advertorial ie including paid for advert alongside. The editors response/defence is interesting inthat he doesnt believe himself but says the piece is legitimate journalism

AchillesLeftKnee

Personally, I don't see it as being any different to...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21789531

...or....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21769138

It's pre-event entertainment news, all of which is effectively advertising.

Cleat Eastwood

She might be able to get in touch with my schlong - that gave up the ghost long ago

bianchimoon

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

She might be able to get in touch with my schlong - that gave up the ghost long ago

well she does talk to stiffs

Monkeypump

Looks like an ad to me.

Interesting that the article/ad mentions that she will be 'performing' on those dates.

cornerblock

She sees dumb people, they're everywhere, they sit there in the audience like everyone else, they don't even know they're dumb.

bianchimoon

you're right... why aint there a law against this sort of thing, I guess some people would argue it's doing no harm and it gives comfort to those in need.. oh I despair

AchillesLeftKnee

bianchimoon wrote:

why aint there a law against this sort of thing

Because it would apply equally to religion, and I can't see that going down to well.

Phil Fouracre

Now that would be a great idea - how about a good old discussion about religion - must be long overdue. Perhaps we could discuss the merits of white or black smoke, or old men in skirts. Don't get me started........

MisterMuncher

I'm reasonably sure there was a law out there forbidding "fake" psychics, but apparently the "real" ones were grand. It was replaced with standard Consumer Protection laws against fraud a few years back.

Wirral_paul

Personally - i'm not sure what the issue is?? My local newspaper is forever full of "news" about local events that might interest local people. A local rag is in general hardly journalistic - other than one or two bits of "proper" local news in the first 3 or 4 pages.

Mikey23

@PF... Go on, get started. You know you want to

Phil Fouracre

Yeah, so tempting! but, just looked out of the window, it's a glorious day, so, get my priorities right - off out on the bike!!!

Mikey23

Me too! Don't mess with a mouthy Methodist though ;-)

confused@BR

My daughter speaks to dead people every day. It is amazing what dead people can do. Empty their bank accounts, take out loans, transfer money, all sorts of things. It's amazing.