Manchester Evening News (City Edition)
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: Faith schools told to give sex classes
Section: News
Written by: Joel Taylor
Page: 11
Outline: This article is about proposals that will see sex education being taught to children as young as five. The article explains that faith based schools will be able to tailor the content of such lessons according to their beliefs.
It mentions the various topics that will be taught as part of the proposals including HIV and AIDS and different kinds of relationship. Whilst Joel Taylor uses the word "faith schools" in the body and headline of the text he doesn't mention any faith by name.
Taylor includes a quote by Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society who condemns what is described in the article as a "loophole" which according to Sanderson's quote will allow "religious zealots a free hand to defame homosexuals". A further quote from him states that "Many children will be given a distorted view of sex and sexuality posing as religious doctrine".
The article finishes with reference to Ed Balls, Children's Secretary who is described as being "attracted to the proposition of compulsory sex education".
One noteworthy exclusion in this article by Taylor is any sort of representation from a faith group. Whilst the Secular viewpoint in favour of compulsory sex edcuation is presented to the readers as well as a Government Minister's backing, there is no attempt to provide the other side of the story thus denying the readers the opportunity to read a balanced article. For that reason this article is given a 'negative' rating
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 2
Headline: Veggies must use their loaf when buying bread
Section: News
Written by: Jo Steele
Page: 13
Outline: This article is about claims made by the Real Bread Campaign Group that most bread sold in shops is not suitable for Vegetarians. Steele presents a statistic put forward by the group which claims that up to 90% of loaves contain enzymes from the pancreas of pigs to help speed up baking.
A quote is provided by the director of the campaign where he says that "this is a significant issue for vegetarians, vegans and Muslims, whom I believe would be outraged if they knew this was in their bread".
Steele goes onto describe steps the group are taking to raise awareness and to get the Bread manufacturers to take action. There's also a quote provided by the Federation of Bakers where they claim that there is no issue as they strictly adhere to EU legislation.
This is a fairly factual piece with little or no additional narrative by Steele although it would have been worth pointing out that other religious groups such as Sikhs, some Hindus and Jews would also be affected by this if it was true, it wouldn't just be exclusive to Muslims as a religious group. By doing so Steele would have provided a fuller picture. However this is a small point and not one on which to get overly hung up on hence this article is given a 'neutral' rating.
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 3
Headline: Time to get Mezze
Section: Good Taste
Written by: Chloe Scott
Page: 16-17
Outline: This section across 2 pages isn't necessarilly about Muslims or Islam. It's a section looking at Lebanese Mezze and how it's perfect for picnics now that the good weather is around the corner.
Lebanon is a country that's rich in heritage & culture and famed for its cuisine throughout the World. This section features input from Anissa Helou who is described as "Half Lebanese, half Syrian...stalwart of the food scene" and Jack Koyoumjian who is described as "the Lebanese born Armenian Director of London's Massis Lebanese Grill and Bar". Both provide tips on Mezze and several recipes are provided. There is a photo to accompany the section showing a young couple enjjoying a picnic in the park on a sunny day.
The question of religion and Lebanon is a touchy one but it is safe to say that there are sizeable Muslim and Christian populations in Lebanon both of whom have a shared heritage when it comes to food. Thus a positive portrayal of Lebanese cuisine in this manner reflects positively on Lebanon and its people which is why I've given this article a 'positive' rating.
Artice Verdict: Positive
Article 4
Headline: Pakistan 'snubs' Brown over banished students
Section: News
Written by: Jo Steele
Page: 19
Outline: This article is about the Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari cancelling a press conference with Prime Minister Gordon Brown in an apparent snub over the decision to deport the 11 Pakistani men who release without charge after being wrongfully detained on terrorism charges.
The main focus of the article for me is when Steele addresses the men in question. Steele mentions that the men were arrested earlier in the month on anti-terrorism charges but then goes onto say that "But last week they were freed without charge after Police were unable to gather enough evidence".
This quote continues with the Metro's apparent pro-Police bias which was evident in the news anaylsis of articles from Monday 27th April. It's almost as if Steele is trying to imply that the Police ran out of time but had they been given more time then evidence would have been found to convict the 12 innocent men, which included one Briton, of terrorism charges.
Steele of course completely misses the fact that the whole botched raid was carried out because Gordon Brown himself said that the evidence pointed to a "very big plot", that was allegedly being planned. To make such a definitive statement would surely mean that there was compelling evidence to carry out such a dramatic raid. However despite all this talk it amounted to nothing and instead the raid seriously dented peoples' confidence in the Intelligence, Police Force and the Government.
For continuing to tow the Pro-Police bias which the Metro is pushing with this article is given a 'negative' rating
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: Faith schools told to give sex classes
Section: News
Written by: Joel Taylor
Page: 11
Outline: This article is about proposals that will see sex education being taught to children as young as five. The article explains that faith based schools will be able to tailor the content of such lessons according to their beliefs.
It mentions the various topics that will be taught as part of the proposals including HIV and AIDS and different kinds of relationship. Whilst Joel Taylor uses the word "faith schools" in the body and headline of the text he doesn't mention any faith by name.
Taylor includes a quote by Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society who condemns what is described in the article as a "loophole" which according to Sanderson's quote will allow "religious zealots a free hand to defame homosexuals". A further quote from him states that "Many children will be given a distorted view of sex and sexuality posing as religious doctrine".
The article finishes with reference to Ed Balls, Children's Secretary who is described as being "attracted to the proposition of compulsory sex education".
One noteworthy exclusion in this article by Taylor is any sort of representation from a faith group. Whilst the Secular viewpoint in favour of compulsory sex edcuation is presented to the readers as well as a Government Minister's backing, there is no attempt to provide the other side of the story thus denying the readers the opportunity to read a balanced article. For that reason this article is given a 'negative' rating
Artice Verdict: Negative
Article 2
Headline: Veggies must use their loaf when buying bread
Section: News
Written by: Jo Steele
Page: 13
Outline: This article is about claims made by the Real Bread Campaign Group that most bread sold in shops is not suitable for Vegetarians. Steele presents a statistic put forward by the group which claims that up to 90% of loaves contain enzymes from the pancreas of pigs to help speed up baking.
A quote is provided by the director of the campaign where he says that "this is a significant issue for vegetarians, vegans and Muslims, whom I believe would be outraged if they knew this was in their bread".
Steele goes onto describe steps the group are taking to raise awareness and to get the Bread manufacturers to take action. There's also a quote provided by the Federation of Bakers where they claim that there is no issue as they strictly adhere to EU legislation.
This is a fairly factual piece with little or no additional narrative by Steele although it would have been worth pointing out that other religious groups such as Sikhs, some Hindus and Jews would also be affected by this if it was true, it wouldn't just be exclusive to Muslims as a religious group. By doing so Steele would have provided a fuller picture. However this is a small point and not one on which to get overly hung up on hence this article is given a 'neutral' rating.
Artice Verdict: Neutral
Article 3
Headline: Time to get Mezze
Section: Good Taste
Written by: Chloe Scott
Page: 16-17
Outline: This section across 2 pages isn't necessarilly about Muslims or Islam. It's a section looking at Lebanese Mezze and how it's perfect for picnics now that the good weather is around the corner.
Lebanon is a country that's rich in heritage & culture and famed for its cuisine throughout the World. This section features input from Anissa Helou who is described as "Half Lebanese, half Syrian...stalwart of the food scene" and Jack Koyoumjian who is described as "the Lebanese born Armenian Director of London's Massis Lebanese Grill and Bar". Both provide tips on Mezze and several recipes are provided. There is a photo to accompany the section showing a young couple enjjoying a picnic in the park on a sunny day.
The question of religion and Lebanon is a touchy one but it is safe to say that there are sizeable Muslim and Christian populations in Lebanon both of whom have a shared heritage when it comes to food. Thus a positive portrayal of Lebanese cuisine in this manner reflects positively on Lebanon and its people which is why I've given this article a 'positive' rating.
Artice Verdict: Positive
Article 4
Headline: Pakistan 'snubs' Brown over banished students
Section: News
Written by: Jo Steele
Page: 19
Outline: This article is about the Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari cancelling a press conference with Prime Minister Gordon Brown in an apparent snub over the decision to deport the 11 Pakistani men who release without charge after being wrongfully detained on terrorism charges.
The main focus of the article for me is when Steele addresses the men in question. Steele mentions that the men were arrested earlier in the month on anti-terrorism charges but then goes onto say that "But last week they were freed without charge after Police were unable to gather enough evidence".
This quote continues with the Metro's apparent pro-Police bias which was evident in the news anaylsis of articles from Monday 27th April. It's almost as if Steele is trying to imply that the Police ran out of time but had they been given more time then evidence would have been found to convict the 12 innocent men, which included one Briton, of terrorism charges.
Steele of course completely misses the fact that the whole botched raid was carried out because Gordon Brown himself said that the evidence pointed to a "very big plot", that was allegedly being planned. To make such a definitive statement would surely mean that there was compelling evidence to carry out such a dramatic raid. However despite all this talk it amounted to nothing and instead the raid seriously dented peoples' confidence in the Intelligence, Police Force and the Government.
For continuing to tow the Pro-Police bias which the Metro is pushing with this article is given a 'negative' rating
Artice Verdict: Negative
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