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Tulisa sting by The Sun lacks any journalistic merit Tulisa sting by The Sun lacks any journalistic merit
(4 months later)
Don't miss Marina Hyde's lampooning of the The Sun's investigative scoop that "exposed" a celebrity willing to set up a drugs deal.Don't miss Marina Hyde's lampooning of the The Sun's investigative scoop that "exposed" a celebrity willing to set up a drugs deal.
At the weekend, I was more interested in the newspaper stings that revealed the willingness of politicians to accept money for parliamentary work.At the weekend, I was more interested in the newspaper stings that revealed the willingness of politicians to accept money for parliamentary work.
By contrast, the Mazher Mahmood "world exclusive" that caught out Tulisa Contostavlos - a 24-year-old former pop singer and former TV talent show judge - was small beer.By contrast, the Mazher Mahmood "world exclusive" that caught out Tulisa Contostavlos - a 24-year-old former pop singer and former TV talent show judge - was small beer.
It was a sad, silly and utterly predictable - points made brilliantly by Hyde. She also touches on the cruelty involved too.It was a sad, silly and utterly predictable - points made brilliantly by Hyde. She also touches on the cruelty involved too.
Not content with the five pages in the Sun on Sunday, the next day's splash was devoted to a prediction that she would be arrested. On Tuesday, there was a front page teaser to another page lead by Mahmood about something she had said about someone else during his sting operation.Not content with the five pages in the Sun on Sunday, the next day's splash was devoted to a prediction that she would be arrested. On Tuesday, there was a front page teaser to another page lead by Mahmood about something she had said about someone else during his sting operation.
Wednesday's splash, proving that Monday's forecast had been correct, was about Tulisa being "sensationally arrested… after an undercover operation by The Sun." And The Sun's nut-cracking sledgehammer was swung yet again yesterday with another page lead about the woman.Wednesday's splash, proving that Monday's forecast had been correct, was about Tulisa being "sensationally arrested… after an undercover operation by The Sun." And The Sun's nut-cracking sledgehammer was swung yet again yesterday with another page lead about the woman.
So, to recap, the paper gave this routine story about a young singer being inveigled into arranging a coke deal three splashes, 12 full pages and a obligatory video on its website. More will undoubtedly follow.So, to recap, the paper gave this routine story about a young singer being inveigled into arranging a coke deal three splashes, 12 full pages and a obligatory video on its website. More will undoubtedly follow.
And to what end? These kinds of "investigation" are the journalistic equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel. Mahmood could choose any pop star, former pop star - not to mention thousands of non-pop stars - and entrap them in similar fashion.And to what end? These kinds of "investigation" are the journalistic equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel. Mahmood could choose any pop star, former pop star - not to mention thousands of non-pop stars - and entrap them in similar fashion.
As Hyde observed: "It seems almost too obvious to marvel at the sheltered lives tabloid journalists lead. These existences see them shocked into a fit of the vapours by the old 'celebrity takes drugs' story, which felt knackered in 1998 and is currently kept alive only by hacks with no imagination."As Hyde observed: "It seems almost too obvious to marvel at the sheltered lives tabloid journalists lead. These existences see them shocked into a fit of the vapours by the old 'celebrity takes drugs' story, which felt knackered in 1998 and is currently kept alive only by hacks with no imagination."
After listing the many stories dedicated in recent times to belittling Tulisa before Mahmood's breathtakingly original idea to set her up, Hyde concluded:After listing the many stories dedicated in recent times to belittling Tulisa before Mahmood's breathtakingly original idea to set her up, Hyde concluded:
"Thank heavens so many man hours have been dedicated to the absolutely essential public-service task of putting a jumped-up little thing like Tulisa back in her place. The natural order of things has been restored.""Thank heavens so many man hours have been dedicated to the absolutely essential public-service task of putting a jumped-up little thing like Tulisa back in her place. The natural order of things has been restored."
This tabloid tale is a classic of its kind, linking modern mass media directly to 16th century freak shows. The difference is that the "freak" nowadays is an attractive young female celebrity who is subjected to persistent intrusion and ritual humiliation for the public's casual enjoyment.This tabloid tale is a classic of its kind, linking modern mass media directly to 16th century freak shows. The difference is that the "freak" nowadays is an attractive young female celebrity who is subjected to persistent intrusion and ritual humiliation for the public's casual enjoyment.
Tulisa follows in the wake of Kerry Katona, Amy Winehouse, Sophie Anderton and a string of others, all cannon fodder in Fleet Street's increasingly irrelevant circulation war.Tulisa follows in the wake of Kerry Katona, Amy Winehouse, Sophie Anderton and a string of others, all cannon fodder in Fleet Street's increasingly irrelevant circulation war.
Sure, law-breaking (drugs) offers The Sun a public interest justification to fulfil the people's so-called right to know. But please don't tell me this is a fine reason for holding aloft the banner of press freedom.Sure, law-breaking (drugs) offers The Sun a public interest justification to fulfil the people's so-called right to know. But please don't tell me this is a fine reason for holding aloft the banner of press freedom.
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