Unfortunately no copy of today's city edition was available hence no report can be presented for the M.E.N
Metro
Article 1
Headline: Jesus Vs Dog
Section: Don't miss these at Metro.co.uk
Written by: ?
Page: 2 with web address provided www.metro.co.uk/jesusdog
Outline: This section of the newspaper directs readers to the Metro website and selected features such as video clips and articles are promoted here.
Today's section includes readers being directed to this videoclip, which is a homemade video of what seem to be kids, though not visible in the camera, using a toy Jesus doll to scare their pet puppy.
The article itself promotes the video clip as a "bizarre and Irreverent...epic battle". The video itself is not funny in fact it's very boring. All you see is the puppy getting very excited and running around whilst the kids press the talking features on the doll and then snigger at the antics of their pet. This lasts all of 1 minute and 8 seconds though it actually felt significantly longer whilst watching it.
Promoting such a video involves 2 flaws on part of the Metro, the first indicates that they have limited decent video content to promote and the 2nd is the offence that this is likely to cause not just to Christians but to Muslims both of whom revere Jesus or Eesa (Peace be Upon Him) as he is known in Islam.
Poor judgment by the Metro in promoting this leads to this clip/article being given a 'negative' rating.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 2
Headline: Iran's attack on 'racist' Israel mars UN summit
Section: News
Written by: Joel Taylor
Page: 13
Outline: This article focuses on a speech delivered at the UN anti-racism summit in Geneva by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the subsequent walk out of some Diplomats in response to his speech.
The artcile presents a description of events including comments made by the Iranian President and provides reference to a previous anti-racism summit. It also features comments made by David Milliband in response to the Iranian President's remarks.
Taylor mentions that the previous summit in 2001 the US walked out after attempts to criticise Israel and goes onto state that America along with others boycotted this meeting for fear of a repeat performance.
One thing that Joel does not mention is why there were attempts in 2001 to criticise Israel, specifically the treatment meted out to the Palestinian people. The failure to mention this may make readers sympathise with Israel as it seems that it's being 'picked on' or 'bullied'. In such a case the natural instinct is to side with the victim. However there were legitimate reasons in 2001 and now to crticise Israel for its vast list of Human rights abuses and instances of racism against Arabs which are not referred to.
Therefore the article is given a 'negative' rating for not presenting the full picture.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Articles 3 & 4
Headline: (Article 3) Jailed reporter 'will get appeal' & (Article 4) 'free woman' from death row
Section: News
Written by: ?
Page: 13
Outline: These 2 news briefs are being presented as a combined review because both feature immediately to right of the article above by Joel Taylor and both are Iran-related.
Article 3 is about Roxana Saberi, an American journalist who is mentioned as "Iranian-American" in the article. It states that Iranian officials will get a fair appeal against her conviction.
The sentencing of Ms Saberi has made headlines in several news outlets as she is an American Journalist who has been accused of spying by Iran. Including it next to Taylor's article adds a negative side to the Iranian image.
Article 4 mentions that protestors are campaigning for a woman who is on death row in Iran to be freed. It mentions that the woman in question, Delara Darabi, was a juvenile when she was sentenced and this is referenced to Amensty International.
This is another interesting choice of article to place next to Joel's piece.
Both of these briefs feature women that have fallen foul of Iranian law. The plight of women incarcerated with one facing the death penalty is likely to generate sympathy amongst readers. Mentioning Amensty International in one of the reports is also likely to convince people of the innocence of the accused even though no details of the case are presented. The prestige of Amnesty's brand name is used to win over the readers.
This is very careful "product placement" by the Metro as Articles 2, 3 and 4 combined will leave readers with a very negative image of Iran e.g. It's leader calling Israel 'racist, a foreign journalist being jailed for spying and a young woman facing the death penalty.
All in all, not great PR for Iran and in all likelihood this is the exact aim of placing all 3 articles together.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Today's section includes readers being directed to this videoclip, which is a homemade video of what seem to be kids, though not visible in the camera, using a toy Jesus doll to scare their pet puppy.
The article itself promotes the video clip as a "bizarre and Irreverent...epic battle". The video itself is not funny in fact it's very boring. All you see is the puppy getting very excited and running around whilst the kids press the talking features on the doll and then snigger at the antics of their pet. This lasts all of 1 minute and 8 seconds though it actually felt significantly longer whilst watching it.
Promoting such a video involves 2 flaws on part of the Metro, the first indicates that they have limited decent video content to promote and the 2nd is the offence that this is likely to cause not just to Christians but to Muslims both of whom revere Jesus or Eesa (Peace be Upon Him) as he is known in Islam.
Poor judgment by the Metro in promoting this leads to this clip/article being given a 'negative' rating.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 2
Headline: Iran's attack on 'racist' Israel mars UN summit
Section: News
Written by: Joel Taylor
Page: 13
Outline: This article focuses on a speech delivered at the UN anti-racism summit in Geneva by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the subsequent walk out of some Diplomats in response to his speech.
The artcile presents a description of events including comments made by the Iranian President and provides reference to a previous anti-racism summit. It also features comments made by David Milliband in response to the Iranian President's remarks.
Taylor mentions that the previous summit in 2001 the US walked out after attempts to criticise Israel and goes onto state that America along with others boycotted this meeting for fear of a repeat performance.
One thing that Joel does not mention is why there were attempts in 2001 to criticise Israel, specifically the treatment meted out to the Palestinian people. The failure to mention this may make readers sympathise with Israel as it seems that it's being 'picked on' or 'bullied'. In such a case the natural instinct is to side with the victim. However there were legitimate reasons in 2001 and now to crticise Israel for its vast list of Human rights abuses and instances of racism against Arabs which are not referred to.
Therefore the article is given a 'negative' rating for not presenting the full picture.
Artice Verdict: Negative
Articles 3 & 4
Headline: (Article 3) Jailed reporter 'will get appeal' & (Article 4) 'free woman' from death row
Section: News
Written by: ?
Page: 13
Outline: These 2 news briefs are being presented as a combined review because both feature immediately to right of the article above by Joel Taylor and both are Iran-related.
Article 3 is about Roxana Saberi, an American journalist who is mentioned as "Iranian-American" in the article. It states that Iranian officials will get a fair appeal against her conviction.
The sentencing of Ms Saberi has made headlines in several news outlets as she is an American Journalist who has been accused of spying by Iran. Including it next to Taylor's article adds a negative side to the Iranian image.
Article 4 mentions that protestors are campaigning for a woman who is on death row in Iran to be freed. It mentions that the woman in question, Delara Darabi, was a juvenile when she was sentenced and this is referenced to Amensty International.
This is another interesting choice of article to place next to Joel's piece.
Both of these briefs feature women that have fallen foul of Iranian law. The plight of women incarcerated with one facing the death penalty is likely to generate sympathy amongst readers. Mentioning Amensty International in one of the reports is also likely to convince people of the innocence of the accused even though no details of the case are presented. The prestige of Amnesty's brand name is used to win over the readers.
This is very careful "product placement" by the Metro as Articles 2, 3 and 4 combined will leave readers with a very negative image of Iran e.g. It's leader calling Israel 'racist, a foreign journalist being jailed for spying and a young woman facing the death penalty.
All in all, not great PR for Iran and in all likelihood this is the exact aim of placing all 3 articles together.
Artice Verdict: Negative
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