Vocal Voices

the printed edition equivalent of the Internet troll?

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response

The more I read DM articles which start with sensational headlines, but end with "equivocation" which deny the very substance of the headline, I think that my definition must be close to the truth.

You could apply the same to the tabloid BBC.

Suff wrote:the printed edition equivalent of the Internet troll?

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response

The more I read DM articles which start with sensational headlines, but end with "equivocation" which deny the very substance of the headline, I think that my definition must be close to the truth.

Oh yes! You can see it 'winding them up, and watching them go': the wobbly-headed brigade.

I'm a bit wary of attacking the press. The News of the World has been done away with and there are people around who want to see the Mail go the same way.
If we are not careful we are going to be left with only papers that our MP's judge to be 'appropriate' ie ones they approve of.
I can't support that.

As long as you don't take it seriously, it's OK, but if the DM is your only diet for news stories ... well, enough said! I find I need to go chill out on the Telegraph or Guardian websites, although even there, you've got to read between the lines somewhat. Every newspaper has its own agenda .....

I think the sheer number of published "readers comments" attacking various DM articles says it all really.

At times, some of their articles are quite risable - I'm thinking of the the "HERE IT COMES! - another 95 METRES of snow by NEXT FRIDAY" sort of thing. And they're quite unabashed when it turns out to be just 2 hours of light rain.
"NOW IT'S A FLOODING ALERT ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTRY!"

Good grief ...

I must admit that whenever I read the DM I get into a foul mood.

There is usually a glimmer of truth in what they say, but they say it in such
a provocative way - designed, intentionally I believe, to stir people up.

Aggers wrote:I must admit that whenever I read the DM I get into a foul mood.

There is usually a glimmer of truth in what they say, but they say it in such
a provocative way - designed, intentionally I believe, to stir people up.

Pretty much what I was saying. I'm not saying that they should be shut down, just that they should be called what they are.

Then perhaps they won't annoy us so much.