# The New York Daily News should really be ashamed of themselves. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 27, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775 "2003-02-27T01:19:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/1 "2003-02-27T01:19:31Z")
Yesterday the NY Daily News had a picture of Saddam and Bush at side-to-side podiums as if they were debating. The headline was-- Saddam to Bush: LET"S DEBATE.-- In very, very tiny print in a little corner there were the words: [sub]Daily News photo illustration[/sub]. Inside the paper there is a story about how Hussein challenged Bush to a debate (as if this stupid peice of bullshit uttered by Saddam merits a four page spread, much less a huge front page picture.) I receive a phone call from my cousin (she’s not too up on current events, unless they cover it on Entertainment Tonight): You were home, Biggirl. Did I miss the debate? My son glances at the paper: Hey, when did _that_ happen? Today-- a full day after the photoshopped front page came out there was still confusion. An ex-co-worker calls to ask me if I knew when they were going to show the debate on TV. This person is not a stupid person. This person didn’t actually _read_ the paper, she just saw that picture all over the newstand. The Daily News suckered New Yorkers. I always thought of them as a step ahead of that other NYC peice of crap newspaper, The Post. Photoshopping their front page puts them on par with The Weekly World News. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/2 "2003-02-27T01:40:29Z")
So was it this one or the Post that had the front page headline, “SADDAM’S PUPPET SPOUTS LIES”? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/3 "2003-02-27T01:44:32Z")
For comparison purposes: > [@](#): > > News pictures must be real images captured by a camera, not created or combined in a computer. - _Globe and Mail_ code of conduct ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/4 "2003-02-27T01:49:16Z")
I bet your brilliant cousin was nearly shocked to death when she saw that the French and German ambassadors to the UN were Man-Weasals. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/5 "2003-02-27T01:58:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Brutus \* > \*\*I bet your brilliant cousin was nearly shocked to death when she saw that the French and German ambassadors to the UN were Man-Weasals. \*\* My cousin is a dear. She worries so much. She called me a few weeks ago to make sure I bought some duct tape and plastic. She really is a sweetie and doesn’t get offended at all when I laugh. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/6 "2003-02-27T06:17:52Z")
Oh Biggirl, did you like the Target: Sadaam on page one of Wednesday’s _Daily News_? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/7 "2003-02-27T14:43:04Z")
**matt\_mcl** , I don’t think the _NY Daily News_ really qualifies as a _news_paper. It’s a paper that may occassionally, accidentally include some news (which puts it light years ahead of the NY Post). Still, can’t argue with a paper which includes four pages of comics, and no one comes close to Bill Gallo. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/8 "2003-02-27T14:57:03Z")
Hey, I depend on the Daily News for my “Headless Body in Topless Bar” information! And pix of half-naked celebrities in the Rush & Molloy gossip column! And things like just what the Gambinos’ defense attorney said about Steven Seagal being a big sissypants (page ten of today’s edition). The Times just doesn’t CARRY that sort of thing! Not to mention the four pages of funnies, as D\_Odds already mentioned. Also, you can see the News as a kind of farm team for the Times…both Gail Collins and Bob Herbert, now mainstays of the Times Op-Ed page, started out at the News. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/9 "2003-02-27T14:59:33Z")
That’s why I like the_Washington_ Post. All the news **and** three pages of funnies. ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/10 "2003-02-27T15:24:33Z")
Well I don’t blame The NY Daily News for your cousin and son not keeping up with current events. Perhaps your cousin should watch and read more news worthy material than worrying about J Lo and Ben. I am not saying she needs to be an expert but at least keep her self up to date without relying on just a headline for her news source. If she seen the headline how difficult would it have been to read one of the articles? I am sure that within a few lines it would have been clear that they did not debate yet. Also the headline said “Saddam to Bush: LET"S DEBATE” NOT “Saddam and Bush Debated”. I understand your position that they should not have made the picture appear as though they already debated but if they read the 5 words in the headline they could have easily understood that Saddam was calling Bush out to a debate. Lets face it. The NYDN, NY Post, and in Queens, Newsday all fight for your attention to get your money. You should know by now that headlines are eye candy not the real story. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/11 "2003-02-27T15:42:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > \*\* > Also the headline said “Saddam to Bush: LET"S DEBATE” NOT “Saddam and Bush Debated”. I understand your position that they should not have made the picture appear as though they already debated but if they read the 5 words in the headline they could have easily understood that Saddam was calling Bush out to a debate. > > \*\* I have to disagree with you on the headline should have clued them part. The headline said LET’S DEBATE! and the picture it was over _actually showed the two of them debating_ with no clear indication that this photo was doctored. My son was the one who bought it to my attention. He brought me the paper and said "I looked at this and thought “when did _that_ happen!” and we laughed. He did read the story. So? And what about the hundreds of thousands who _didn’t_ read the story. They’re stupid because newspaper doctered a picture and put it on the front page with a clear intent to deceive? Newspaper are supposed to inform us, not trick us. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/12 "2003-02-27T15:54:18Z")
Man, if you can’t trust the _NY Daily News_, whom can you trust? > [@](#): > > I bet your brilliant cousin was nearly shocked to death when she saw that the French and German ambassadors to the UN were Man-Weasals. Just out of curiosity, what’s a Weasal? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/13 "2003-02-27T15:57:34Z")
I prefer the Daily Bugle, even if they do have too much coverage of that awful Spider-Man. ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/14 "2003-02-27T16:19:05Z")
I can’t comprehend what part of “LET’S DEBATE” is unclear? Please explain how those two **words** indicate that the debate already happened. FYI I am not arguing that the picture was misleading. As I said before, the front page is there to get your attention (and it did 🙂 ). My point is that they should not read the headline and assume they know the story. How often do you see commercials for TV shows and News broadcasts that mislead you or reel you in so you will watch. You said: “And what about the hundreds of thousands who _didn’t_ read the story. They’re stupid because newspaper doctered a picture and put it on the front page with a clear intent to deceive?” Did I call them stupid? No. Are they misinformed? Yes. (I won’t even ask for a cite that shows hundred of thousands of people only read the headline and not any of the articles.) Something as important as the impending war with Iraq should garner a little more interest than just looking at the front page picture. Even if its not picking up that issue of the Daily News they could have easily found out by watching numerous TV News reports (IIRC started the day before), seen it on the internet or heard it on the radio that Saddam challanged Bush to a debate. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/15 "2003-02-27T16:54:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > **I can’t comprehend what part of “LET’S DEBATE” is unclear? Please explain how those two words indicate that the debate already happened. FYI I am not arguing that the picture was misleading. As I said before, the front page is there to get your attention (and it did 🙂 ). > My point is that they should not read the headline and assume they know the story. How often do you see commercials for TV shows and News broadcasts that mislead you or reel you in so you will watch.** I disagree that the words of the headline indicate the debate hadn’t happened, especially combined with the picture. If the headline had read LETS FIGHT! and the picture had been of a tattooed Mike Tyson and whoever-the-chump-they-got-to-fight-him in a ring fighting, would the headline indicate the fight hadn’t happened yet? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > \*\* > You said: “And what about the hundreds of thousands who _didn’t_ read the story. They’re stupid because newspaper doctered a picture and put it on the front page with a clear intent to deceive?” > > Did I call them stupid? No. Are they misinformed? Yes. (I won’t even ask for a cite that shows hundred of thousands of people only read the headline and not any of the articles.) > \*\* First point-- Do you have any idea the hundred of thousands of people who see the cover of this particular paper every day and don’t buy it or read it? Second and major point–They are misinformed. It is the job of one of New York’s leading papers to inform them, not deceive them. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > \*\* > Something as important as the impending war with Iraq should garner a little more interest than just looking at the front page picture. Even if its not picking up that issue of the Daily News they could have easily found out by watching numerous TV News reports (IIRC started the day before), seen it on the internet or heard it on the radio that Saddam challanged Bush to a debate. \*\* But. . .but. . . THIS IS THE JOB OF THE FREAKIN’ NEWSPAPER!!! The people at The New York Daily News should be ashamed of themselves! They deliberately set out to misinform the public. How is it the fault of the misinformed that their source of information _deliberatley set out to misinform them._ ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/16 "2003-02-27T17:17:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > \*\*They deliberately set out to misinform the public. \* \*\* Still, you have to admit it wasn’t as bad as them man-weasels in the Post. ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/17 "2003-02-27T17:20:00Z")
First of all that is only part of the Headline. The entire headline as you quoted was “Saddam to Bush: LET"S DEBATE”. Clearly that is challenge being made by Saddam to President George W Bush. Oh wait! Could that also mean Barbara Bush? Laura? Or maybe Saddam was talking to the twins? Oh I see. The accompaning picture seems to show that SH and GW Bush already debated (I have to see this picture to see how realistic it looks. I am not arguing this point.) Upon further inpsection of the picture you notice it says that the picture is a photo illustration. Case closed. * * * Quote: First point-- Do you have any idea the hundred of thousands of people who see the cover of this particular paper every day and don’t buy it or read it? * * * No, but do you have any idea how many? Or even better, how many actually knew what the headline was reffering to? Or had other papers to fill them in? * * * Quote: Second and major point–They are misinformed. It is the job of one of New York’s leading papers to inform them, not deceive them. * * * Ok try this: Inform every single person on every single current event in todays newspaper within the headline and picture. It can’t be done. That is why we have the articles. In your logic the articles are meaningless and it’s the headline that carries the most weight in informing us. That’s great, from now on I will just read the headlines and not worry about anything else. Again! The headline is their to get your attention to buy the paper NOT give you the details of the story. You read the articles to learn the specifics of what actually happened. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/18 "2003-02-27T17:46:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > **First of all that is only part of the Headline. The entire headline as you quoted was “Saddam to Bush: LET"S DEBATE”. Clearly that is challenge being made by Saddam to President George W Bush. Oh wait! Could that also mean Barbara Bush? Laura? Or maybe Saddam was talking to the twins?** Because showing a picture of Saddam and Bush debating with the headline: Saddam and Bush: LET’S DEBATE would lead people to believe it was the twins he was debating. If the picture had been of the twins or Barbara (or even weasle-men), you’d have a point. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by NYR407 \* > \*\* > Oh I see. The accompaning picture seems to show that SH and GW Bush already debated (I have to see this picture to see how realistic it looks. I am not arguing this point.) Upon further inpsection of the picture you notice it says that the picture is a photo illustration. Case closed._\* My God, you’re right! You haven’t even _seen_ the cover, yet with your clever debating skills, you managed to close the case! You’re a genius. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > \*\*\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ > Quote: > First point-- Do you have any idea the hundred of thousands of people who see the cover of this particular paper every day and don’t buy it or read it? > > * * * > > No, but do you have any idea how many? Or even better, how many actually knew what the headline was reffering to? Or had other papers to fill them in? \*\* Yes, I have an idea. It’s probably more than one hundred thousand who see the paper and don’t buy it-- there are almost 8 million people in NYC and there are newstands on practically every coner in Manhattan and every other corner in the other boroughs. And what do these other papers have to do with The Daily News tricking people? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > \*\*\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ > Quote: > Second and major point–They are misinformed. It is the job of one of New York’s leading papers to inform them, not deceive them. > > * * * > > Ok try this: Inform every single person on every single current event in todays newspaper within the headline and picture. It can’t be done. That is why we have the articles. In your logic the articles are meaningless and it’s the headline that carries the most weight in informing us. That’s great, from now on I will just read the headlines and not worry about anything else. > > Again! The headline is their to get your attention to buy the paper NOT give you the details of the story. You read the articles to learn the specifics of what actually happened. \*\* How about if we try to hold newspapers accountable for the crap they try to serve instead of making excuses for the crap they try to serve? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/19 "2003-02-27T17:53:41Z")
PS, if anybody can find Tuesday’s NY Daily News cover on the 'net, couldja post it? I’ve looked but can’t find it. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775/20 "2003-02-27T18:01:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > Second and major point–They are misinformed. It is the job of one of New York’s leading papers to inform them, not deceive them. This is a joke without a smiley, isn’t it? Or perhaps I’m parsing it wrong and it should be > [@](#): > > It is the job of **one** of New York’s leading papers to inform them _(the readers)_, not deceive them. which the NY Times at least attempts to do (but it’s too hard to manipulate on a crowded subway and has no comics, so I’ll stick with my Newsday for now). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-daily-news-should-really-be-ashamed-of-themselves/157775.md?page=2)