Chris Bound: March 2009

Wednesday, 18 March 2009

The Sunday Express Dunblane Issue

Ok, being someone who has spent a few years working in the media industry and heavily educated in the subject. I can usually see through most of the industries vain attempts to manipulate the ideas and opinions of the masses they are trying to engage.

However, these bunch of fuckwits are exactly what I hate most about the control the newspapers have over their readers.

Recently, The Sunday Express in Scotland ran a front page story entitled 'Anniversary Shame Of Dunblane Survivors'. The story involved journalist (make a note) Paula Murray, writing how the survivors of the tragic Dunblane School Massacre, where 16 children and one teacher were shot dead, were 'boasting about sex and getting drunk'. Apparently, shock horror, now that the survivors have turned 18, they have started drinking, and smoking, and getting tattoos, and swearing, and well... 'being 18' I think the combined phrase. This however was enough to get the Express all up in right royal huff.

But that's not what I'm truly, utterly, and quite frankly dangerously pissed off about. It was the conduct in which the information for this story is gathered.

Some of you may know the term 'libel'. It's a basic law that states what a newspaper can and can't print when it comes to news. One of it's by-laws is that minors are to be kept anonymous. So when Dunblane happened, there was no mention of the names of the dead or survivors in any newspaper. That was until they turned 18, now legally adults, and their identities splashed all over the tabloids.

But it doesn't stop there, the journalist (once again, write it down) Paula Murray managed to get the information by befriending the teens on Facebook. Gaining access to all of their private information and using it to shame a bunch of innocent teenagers who had done nothing wrong except for surviving the worst school massacre this country has ever seen.

Now the Express are doing their best to cover up any evidence to this. They have removed the story from the website and are not answering any direct questions to this article. But what is a giant frustration is that the regulator for newspapers does not accept public complaints. Only if you are in the story itself can you complain.

But this story needs to gain coverage. I'm sick of newspapers making false and untrue claims about peoples personal lives, or writing bias stories to affect the opinion of the reader rather than writing what actually happened. But what has happened here is just plain sick. These poor kids who have had their anonymity, private lives and their dignity ripped from them just because Paula Murray couldn't think of anything else to write about.

If youu want to help expose The Express for what they did, the join the Facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=55873492636

And if you want any more information on the topic, here's Graham Lineham's blog. He has far info on the subject than me with some handier links: http://whythatsdelightful.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/the-express-wins-the-race-to-the-bottom/

Don't let this get swept under the carpet. Newspapers need to learn to respect people.

Tuesday, 17 March 2009

Hey, That Was My Idea!

Sexy Graph!

Here be a graph made by students of Wellesley College in the States, that shows what the virginity rate is between different subjects...

So if you're planning a trip to uni soon, may I recommend Studio Art!

Sunday, 15 March 2009

I Fucking Love This Kid!

Sexism Can Be A Nice Thing

Sometimes, signs say more than people ever could...

read more | digg story

Ear Down!

I knew this was inevitable, what with all the loud music and sounds that invades my ear everyday. But I think my right ear has finally knackered itself. Either that or it's just full of wax. But still that means about 50% or more of my hearing is currently MIA. Which is always a bit of a bummer.

As for recent news, the radio show is doing almost dangerously well. I was told it was over a 1000 people listening to one show a few weeks ago but that was with a lot of promotion on Myspace and Facebook to get the word out. So last night, I did the show but didn't remind anyone about it and it still had 200 people who listened from start to finish, not to mention others that ducked in and out throughout the show. That's 200 hardcore fans of the show! Awesome in it's own way.

I also checked out the stats on my podcast and it turns out I have a following in South Korea. I've had just over 100 downloads of the podcasts, 7 of which came from South Korea. I have no idea who that it, but thanks anyway.

I'm having a recovery day today (which may or may not involve seeing Watchmen) due to a weekend of excess. Both financially and alcoholically (Wow, that's a word!)

I will have a proper opinionated update soon because I know no-one cares about these personal posts. So next time I have something to say, I'll say it then.

Ta!