yomag.cz
- european e-zine by young consumers

Rating: (4)

Author: Anna Kloudová, MG Příbor, Czech republic

The tabloid press

Příbor 8. 01. 2010

Tabloid but also yellow - almost everyone knows these current words, and more famous people can even experience the tabloid press\' methods personally, which is surely very unpleasant. And what does yellow actually mean in this context? It is said to be a kind of journalism that deals in sensationalism, gossip and scandal.

Therefore, in my opinion, real journalism has hardly anything in common with the tabloid press. First, these yellow articles don't inform us about something interesting or special, and secondly, they don't work with "hard" facts. Moreover the composition limps a bit and lastly it is actually an effort either to shock or disgust readers.


How does the tabloid press work? Imagine you are a famous person. You are overwrought because of your work as well as of the attention around you, and journalists, of course. Well, you take a holiday to an out-of-the-way place . Your wish is to enjoy the tranquility, away from all the rumours and media attention. Nevertheless, you don't have any idea about the tabloid mafia sending their paparazzi, who have a better nose than a whippet. When you are back home again you are surprised by an article about your gaining cellulite, complemented with a detailed view of your backside in the swimsuit. Or you can hear about a new young lover of yours and when you have a look at the photo it shows you smiling at a handsome native, reminding you of that street vendor selling anti-cellulite creams.


Tabloids seem to be successful. What is the reason for that? Why are the details of celerbrities´ lives so popular with some readers? Perhaps the readers have never been to a luxury party, so they enjoy finding out that somebody has been kicked out. In addition, people are naturally inquisitive and they crave sensation and gossip - and the best targets for gossip are those people in the public eye who are always to the fore.


It is worth bearing in mind that the tabloid journalists have a talent - namely a talent to make a headline which doesn't relate to the article but will certainly fascinate you. There are several good examples, for instance: "Daniel Hůlka - death on stage!"  Wouldn't you read it? Probably you would. Anyway, when you read it you find out it's an article about a musical in which the character acted by Daniel Hůlka, a famous Czech singer, dies. And finally something that made me see red: "Cooking dinner turns into bloody slaughter!!" I said: "Oh my God!" but when I read the article I learnt that a model has a new relationship, and although she's a blonde she isn't a fool at all and she can even cook. Unfortunately she cut her finger while preparing dinner, so our dear tabloid journalists described the drop of blood as "bloody slaughter". After reading that I was so disgusted that I haven´t read the tabloid press since any.


In conclusion I would like to advise - don't attach too much importance to alluring or eye-catching headlines even if there are, for instance, five exclamation marks. When you read the tabloids, you can figure out that these would-be stars (or "wannabies") are only well-known because of the attention of the tabloid newspapers. I think it's not fair to serious famous people. Or would you like to see your private life on display at every newsagent's?