NEWSPAPER HEADLINES I started reading newspapers since I was in secondary school. I have learnt that it is erroneous to reach a conclusion based on a news headline without reading the body of the headline. A news headline may read Man kills neighbour but when you read the detailed news, you may find out the said man only attempted a murder. I have read articles primarily because of their titles but only to be disappointed as the title may not even relate well with the content of the article. I have concluded that WHEN any newspaper correspondent/interviewer interviews me in the nearest future (because they will come) I will ensure we agree on the title of the interview before it is published. I will not want my words to be misrepresented in any way. For instance, during an interview with a popular figure in a country (who, assuming just lost his wife), he may say I will not remarry until after 3 years. The newspaper may title the interview as Chief XYZ vows never to remarry If one does not read that particular interview in detail, if Chief XYZ remarried after 3 years as he promised, one will accuse Chief XYZ of unfaithful act since according to the news headline he vowed never to remarry when he didnt actually mean so. Newspaper headlines are usually properly chosen so as to stir curiosity in the possible readers. Reaching a conclusion based on the headlines therefore could be very misleading as the writer is concerned with you reading the piece so he carefully chooses his title. That is part of the trick in publishing.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 18:06:57 +0000