When the world is nothing but extremes

There’s something appealing about the idea of life being a series of no compromise, right or wrong decisions, where morality and reality comfortably intersected. Of course that isn’t even remotely the world that we live in, issues are rarely black or white, despite the claims to the contrary by some polemicists.

So bearing in mind that in every issue there is at least some degree of subtlety, how do you think a major metropolitan newspaper would report a policy from the Tasmanian Greens to restore the franchise to prisoners in that state? Why, by wheeling out Martin Bryant of course.

It’s an old tactic in the tabloid media, look for the most extreme consequence of a government policy and then use that a reason to damn it. It’s pretty much a straw man argument, but I guess with all the big headlines that they print, the tabloids aren’t left with enough space to look at the nuances of a story. In this particular case, while the Tele is screaming about the possibility that Martin Bryant might be allowed to vote they completely ignore the discussion of the rights of almost five hundred other prisoners in Tasmania.

This type of nonsense adds nothing to the debate, it’s an unhelpful distraction that completely ignores the real issues, in this case the right of adults to vote. On this occasion it also links the Tasmanian Greens to a convicted serial killer, which I suspect doesn’t upset the generally anti-green Telegraph.*

Editor: But it’s not just the Telegraph. The story is winging its way around News Ltd tabloids (HERE: On News Ltd’s national tabloid site)… it’s surprising the Merc hasn’t run it in this the era of News Ltd tabloid conformity and automation (Slipping Up Again, HERE)

TT was contacted three times yesterday by Labor advisers/True Believers urging TT to run the Bryant story. True Believer: here is a story doing the rounds interstate. What would tt readers make of this? (HeraldSun: HERE). can you upload it, and give it a run? I would be interested in readers’ comments, observations, etc. Role of the media, etc.? (Role of the media? Now that IS a good point True Believer).

and later, from another adviser: Just heard tim cox talking about this story … Later, the guilt-inducing: Do you mean you won’t be reporting on this?

Well, we have.