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Paper Chase
Can anyone tell us why the sentencing of Conrad Black merits front page coverage in every British broadsheet (with the preposterous Independent leading the charge, above)?
Certainly, Black's punishment is a story. But on this scale? Bigger than the appointment of Russia's next leader? One truth of media is that journalists are self-regarding buggers, obsessed with stories about their industry. Another is that they loathe their proprietors, and work themselves into a frenzy of self-righteousness whenever an opportunity arises to see a newspaper publisher upended.
Sadly, a further truth is that the public at large don't give a damn about media industry stories. Yet another is that there are few things the public finds more revolting than the press pack in the grip of moral frenzy. EURSOC predicts this could be the worst day for newspaper sales in decades. Some readers who stay away will find they can do very well without a daily rag, and stay away. The decline continues, media jobs look less secure. Not so clever, boys and girls.
