Spam Journalism #38

Spam Journalism: The spurious use of sensational headlines to add spice to an otherwise pointless article. (MacDoctor definition)

Some classic political spam from NZPA:

Key all but throws in towel

“Prime Minister John Key is refusing to admit National’s Mt Albert by-election chances are all but dashed and remains supportive of candidate Melissa Lee.”

One can only assume that this headline is the work of a blind sub-editor, as the opening line directly contradicts the heading. Key refuses to throw in the towel would have worked, or, if there had been space constraint, Key refuses to quit would fit. It is extremely unlikely that Key would make a “second place is fine” error, as he is a far more seasoned politician than Lee. In fact the article goes on to show Key presenting a relentlessly positive face, even though he must know that Lee’s chances of winning are absurdly slim (indeed, the MacDoctor believes he may well have engineered it this way).

You get the impression that the journalist was working very hard to get Key to admit defeat. S/he fail miserably.

Of course, this left the journalist with absolutely nothing to say, hence the pointless rehash of old news. The only news in the entire article was that Lee attended a tiny neighbourhood watch meeting instead of a big Auckland issues meeting – but that just makes her look actually interested in the people of Mt Albert, rather than simply politicking. 

Key is right, she “would be a good representative for local residents”.

Pity, really.

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