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Stop the Press: An Inside Story of the Tabloids in Ireland
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January 8, 2017
I liked this memoir by an amiable-sounding journalist and editor with tabloid papers in Ireland and UK. I confess that I had it for a while before starting, as I did not like the cover photo. This plays to a stereotype of downmarket sleaze and discontent, whereas reading the book, one can see that a tabloid paper is equally as concerned with good journalism as any other paper, just more obsessed with personalities and sports than business and politics.
I was interested to read of some of the inside goings on at the Sunday World in Terenure, contrasted with the Drogheda Independent where the budding reporter cut his teeth. The Irish Star and Daily Star followed, Fleet Street beckoning many Irish journalists. The author did well to get charge of the new Irish issue of the Daily Mail and by working hard he thrived, becoming editor in chief of the Irish Daily Mirror.
I did remember a good few of the incidents described, about the gang leader The General or band U2, Veronica Guerin, the northern Troubles, Terry Keane and Ireland's various politicians. Others didn't interest me then or now, sports stories and failed celebrity marriages. I can see that some people are interested, but I can't see why. The time and expense taken to get verified stories - ones which 'stand up' - are well detailed. No publisher wants to be sued. Good black and white photos are included.
Frequently I came across mis-spellings, usually homonyms like 'free reign' which should be free rein from the days of horses, and with phrases like 'I decided I better get down to Cork' instead of I had better, or enjoyable colloquialisms like 'it got a bit hairy' and 'the world and its mother were camped outside' this narrative comes across as having been dictated and typed up from tapes without any checking. The author also uses some strong language and quotes strong language in context. He uses frequent and mixed metaphors. 'We are a rare breed ready to take it on the chin and when the going gets tough we have balls of steel.' Maybe he wrote stream of consciousness, and is not used to having time to edit - so didn't. Merlin Publishing, which took on the Wolfhound Press list, also published true crime books by tabloid journalist Paul Williams but they ceased publishing in 2010.
You may also enjoy:
The Press Gang: Tales from the Glory Days of Irish Newspapers by Dave Kenny
Watching the Door: A Memoir 1971-78 by Kevin Myers
Stick It Up Your Punter!: The Uncut Story of the Sun Newspaper by Peter Chippindale, Chris Horrie.
I was interested to read of some of the inside goings on at the Sunday World in Terenure, contrasted with the Drogheda Independent where the budding reporter cut his teeth. The Irish Star and Daily Star followed, Fleet Street beckoning many Irish journalists. The author did well to get charge of the new Irish issue of the Daily Mail and by working hard he thrived, becoming editor in chief of the Irish Daily Mirror.
I did remember a good few of the incidents described, about the gang leader The General or band U2, Veronica Guerin, the northern Troubles, Terry Keane and Ireland's various politicians. Others didn't interest me then or now, sports stories and failed celebrity marriages. I can see that some people are interested, but I can't see why. The time and expense taken to get verified stories - ones which 'stand up' - are well detailed. No publisher wants to be sued. Good black and white photos are included.
Frequently I came across mis-spellings, usually homonyms like 'free reign' which should be free rein from the days of horses, and with phrases like 'I decided I better get down to Cork' instead of I had better, or enjoyable colloquialisms like 'it got a bit hairy' and 'the world and its mother were camped outside' this narrative comes across as having been dictated and typed up from tapes without any checking. The author also uses some strong language and quotes strong language in context. He uses frequent and mixed metaphors. 'We are a rare breed ready to take it on the chin and when the going gets tough we have balls of steel.' Maybe he wrote stream of consciousness, and is not used to having time to edit - so didn't. Merlin Publishing, which took on the Wolfhound Press list, also published true crime books by tabloid journalist Paul Williams but they ceased publishing in 2010.
You may also enjoy:
The Press Gang: Tales from the Glory Days of Irish Newspapers by Dave Kenny
Watching the Door: A Memoir 1971-78 by Kevin Myers
Stick It Up Your Punter!: The Uncut Story of the Sun Newspaper by Peter Chippindale, Chris Horrie.
Displaying 1 of 1 review