The end: no longer nigh
Given that it’s not so long ago the Sunday Independent’s front page screamed “APOCALYPSE SOON”, it was a shock to see this week’s blurb: “IF THERE IS A SLUMP… THEN WHO TALKED US DOWN?”
Inside, there were several pages of analysis, among which were such proclamations as: “It’s a case of boom not bust, say the real experts” and “The economy is just fine”. There was also some light-hearted chastising of TV programmes in which “men drive around in cars talking down the economy”, a piece blaming RTÉ’s gloominess for falling house sales and an interview with Brian Cowen in which he said we shouldn’t listen to the doomsayers.
What could possibly have brought about this sudden change in attitude for a paper that should usually come with a free “the end is nigh” sandwich board? There was a clue on the front of the Business section:
O’REILLY DISMISSES GLOOM AND DOOM AS ADVERTISING ON THE UP
Gavin O’Reilly, Independent News & Media’s Chief Operating Officer, gave an upbeat presentation detailing the performance of the global media group at the half-year stage last Tuesday.
O’Reilly dismissed Ireland’s doom and gloom merchants…
Controversial!
Comment by 73man | September 24, 2007 at 10:14 amI believe in freedom of the press.
The Sindo should be banned.
There is no conflict in holding these two views.
Comment by dealga | September 24, 2007 at 10:25 amNow we can all wait for the Sindo to go to town on Climate Change as members of the Sindo staff have recurring bad hair days as a result of the stormy weather and excess humidity.
Comment by Dan Sullivan | September 24, 2007 at 12:40 pmEver since the demise of Blogorrah I’ve been blissfully ignorant of the goings on in Sindonia.
I find that I’m in the minority in that I don’t have a gun to me head forcing me to read it like some folks, apparently.
Comment by Brock Landers | September 24, 2007 at 1:13 pmHey Brock, maybe they could put it in a cellophane wrapper and up on the top shelf in the Newsagents - out of the reach of impressionable young folk like myself. That could work.
Comment by dealga | September 24, 2007 at 5:34 pmI took a look at the Sindo this week, and noted that the party line remains as solid as ever:
1. Everything is brilliant.
Comment by Fergal | September 24, 2007 at 5:53 pm2. We love Bertie.
3. Everyone is on cocaine. But not us. Oh no.
Fergal - While it’s been keen to stress what a great job the government has done, it’s also had a few scarifying front page blurbs, warning us of doom, and on occassions almost revelling in the apocalyptic promise of it. The other thing I found interesting about yesterday’s front page was how they blurbed the same pages twice above the title. If it’s worth screaming once…
Comment by Shane | September 24, 2007 at 6:07 pmActually, I don’t really see the point of the Sindo any more. Being cranky, obnoxious and borederline hysterical was at least kind of entertaining, in a blood-pressure raising kind of way. But what’s the point of a paper telling us that our government has it all in hand? That’s too boring too annoy even the likes of me.
Comment by Fergal | September 24, 2007 at 6:32 pmI read it on Sunday for the first time in years (and years). I was shocked, because it was far worse than I thought it could be. Milling into McWilliams seemed to be order of the day, while also telling us that we should all leave Bertie alone. My own fault for reading it I guess.
Comment by Donagh | September 25, 2007 at 1:43 pmI like the Sindo.
It’s the Beano for Irish Property Developers.
Comment by markg | September 25, 2007 at 2:37 pmAnd I wonder why they’re milling into McWilliams? Maybe because he took a better job elsewhere? Typical Independant antics. Still don’t understand it’s circulation figures.
Comment by Tri | September 28, 2007 at 2:59 pm