Daily Newspaper Review, Week Five: The Daily Mirror
Monday, 11/10/10
Front Page
It is claimed murdered aid worker Linda Norgrove could have been saved if Nato had not intervened. Afghan elders said they were talking to her Al-Qaeda captors and was close to Linda’s release just before she was killed by a suicide bomber as US troops tried to rescue her.
Political News
The Business Secretary, Vince Cable had announced his plans for rise in tuition fees over graduate tax, which could see fees go up to £10,000 a year. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was faced with strong backbench hostility over the controversial plans.
Business News
British Airways boss, Willie Walsh warned yesterday millions of people will not be able to afford long haul flights with next month’s rise in air tax. The move will also force airlines out of business as they will be unable to afford the new-low emission jets.
Tuesday, 12/10/10
Front Page
It was alleged that the 36 year old aid worker Linda Norgrove, who was held hostage in Afghanistan, was killed in a suicide blast. However, the PM David Cameron has said “Evidence suggest Linda could have died from a taskforce grenade”, as officials study a film footage that caught a US soldier lobby the grenade into the camp Linda was held captive in.
Political News
The coalition is still in disagreement over tuition fees as the Lib Dems strongly oppose any system which may result in pricing the poorest student out of the top universities. The PM David Cameron said yesterday, “Everybody has to come to compromise because the truth is that we all want the same thing.”
Business News
The economy suffers from reduced spending as Britons tighten their wallet strings due to the government spending cuts. Reports revealed slowdown of high street sales, with tumbling house prices and businesses suffering from a decrease in orders amid fears of job losses.
Friday, 15/10/10
Front Page
Kate moss weds her long-term partner Jamie Hince at a low-key ceremony held in Sicily. Only close friends and family attended the event were she tied the not with her rock star boyfriend in bare foot and a see-through white gown.
Political News
Hilary Clinton declared each country should be able to make appropriate contributions to the efforts of Nato, in the wake of the PM David Cameron finalising the planned military cutbacks. The US secretary of state admitted she was afraid the controversial slashes to Briatin’s defence budget could result in Nato suffering.
Business News
The justice minister, Ken Clarke has warned the economy is still in “grave danger” of collapse, which contradicted the Prime minister who said two weeks ago the economy was “out of danger.” Clarke said the debt crisis was unprecedented and people should prepare for it.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Daily Newspaper Review, Week Four: The Guardian
Monday, 04/10/10
Tuesday, 05/10/10
Wednesday, 06/10/10
Thursday, 07/10/10
Front Page
Amidst criticisms for being evasive about the scale of the spending cuts, David Cameron called for a united nation to pull together to survive the hard times ahead. In his speech to the Conservative conference, the Prime minister said, the coalition was not only about cuts but “an attempt to create a country based not on Labour’s selfish individualism but one based on mutual responsibility”.
Monday, 04/10/10
Front Page
In his speech to the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, the Chancellor George Osborne has declared that in order to avoid a decade of dept, he plans to cut Britain’s £109bn structural deficit in one parliament. The controversial plan will see swift and deep cuts made to public spending, saying the alternative of delayed deficit reduction will mean extra interest payment to foreign governments. Political News
A senior journalist who had worked alongside Andy Coulsen has claimed Coulsen personally listened to intercepted voicemail messages of public figures when he was editing the News of the World. The prime minister’s media advisor has always denied having any knowledge of the illegal activities carried out by the paper’s journalists Business News
The New Economic Foundation warns Britain’s bank may soon need more government aid despite a bailout of £1.2tn. The funding from the Bank of England which the Bank’s currently rely upon to prop up the system after the collapse of Lehman Brothers is set to run out by the end of 2012, which means that banks will need to raise £25bn a month to plug the funding gap. Tuesday, 05/10/10
Front Page
George Osborne’s plans to withdraw child benefit from parents earning enough to pay the higher-rate-tax have prompted warnings that he was punishing the party’s middle class base. Osborne also announced a benefits cap of £26,000 per year for workless households to counteract the accusations, though many senior backbenchers feared the attack on child benefit was badly misdirected. Political News
Tom Watson, a former Labour minister has called upon David Cameron to make a statement in parliament about the allegations made against his media advisor Andy Coulsen following new revelations surrounding the case, which was aired in an edition of Channel 4’s Dispatches last night.Business News
Sir Phillip Hampton, the RBS chairmen calls for regulation rather than self-imposed restraint in order to reduce City bonuses, amid forecasts of financial firms preparing to pay out £7bn in bonuses this year. Wednesday, 06/10/10
Front Page
David Cameron was forced to apologise to voters for breaking election promises, after the Chancellor George Osborne announced to withdraw child benefit from the higher rate taxpayers. The controversial plans contradict the party’s commitment to family values and undermined the universalist base of the welfare state, which the Prime Minister had promised to preserve in the election. Political News
David Cameron defends his media advisor Andy Coulsen after Channel 4’s dispatches programme on phone hacking claims. The Prime Minister said nobody in his team is unsackable, but there has been no complaint made about Coulsen’s competency in his current job in contrast to the years of Alastair Campbell. Business News
Tesco’s chief executive Sir Terry Leahy has declared that the UK is not heading for a double dip recession, and will neither be derailed by the government’s spending cuts. He claimed UK economy will be pulled through into a stable recovery by Asia’s stronger rebound. Thursday, 07/10/10
Front Page
Amidst criticisms for being evasive about the scale of the spending cuts, David Cameron called for a united nation to pull together to survive the hard times ahead. In his speech to the Conservative conference, the Prime minister said, the coalition was not only about cuts but “an attempt to create a country based not on Labour’s selfish individualism but one based on mutual responsibility”.
Political News
The US and Afghan Government recently made contact with the most feared insurgent group in Afghanistan, the Haqqani network who have the closest ties with al-Qaida. Direct talks were held between Hamid Karzi’s government and senior members of the Haqqani Network, though US contacts have been indirect through a western intermediary. Business News
Many of Britain’s biggest retailers are in talks with ministers regarding selling home energy improvements such as insulation under the governments “green deal” programme. Tesco, B&Q and Marks & Spencer are among the companies lined up to market the coalitions programme in encouraging home-energy measures.Daily Newspaper Review, Week Three: The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 27/09/10
Front Page
Ed Miliband is elected as the leader of the Labour party in a surprise victory over his brother David Miliband who was the Labour MP’s favourite. Ed Miliband declares the end of new Labour in a bid to distance himself from the legacy of Tony Blair as he states he will now lead the “new generation” back into power.
Political News
Armed Forces Chiefs are urged to sell off their manor houses and discontinue using domestic staff in a bid to reduce Ministry of Defence costs by £200million a year. Ministers are increasingly concerned with the extra benefits being offered to top Chiefs as being inappropriate after the MP’s expenses scandal.
Business News
Chinese food company Bright Food is set to challenge the Business Secretary Vince Cable’s efforts to stiffen acquisition regulations which protect UK companies from foreign takeovers. The Shanghai-Based food company is claimed to be in talks with United Biscuits to spend approximately £2billion on one of the country’s largest food businesses, housing brands such as McVitie’s and Jacobs.
Tuesday, 28/09/10
Front Page
A senior Bank of England official Charles Bean has warned savers to stop complaining and start spending in a bid to help the economy. He said older households who had previously enjoyed property price rises, now should not expect to live of interests as he admitted that low returns was part of the economic recovery strategy.
Political News
The European Commission official has urged the British Government to scrap the habitual residency test, which is used to establish whether migrants are eligible for benefit support. The EU says Britain’s rules to combat benefit tourism is illegal.
Business News
Shareholders of HSBC have requested the bank to crack down on leaks, as the bank proposes to launch an investigation into how confidential details of its succession plans were leaked days before a board meeting took place to decide on the issue.
Wednesday, 29/09/10
Front Page
Defence Secretary Liam Fox attacks the defence cuts in a private letter to David Cameron. He warns ‘Draconian’ cuts to defence spending could be detrimental for the Government while the country is at war, which seriously risks damaging troop’s morale.
Political News
Ed Miliband uses his maiden speech to condemn the Iraq war, which causes the rift between his elder brother to widen. David Miliband scolds Harriet Harman after she applauded his brother’s declaration, stating “Why are you clapping? You voted for it”, to which she replied, “I am clapping because, as you know, I am supporting him”.
Business News
A senior policy maker has stated that the Bank of England should restart printing presses and pump more money into the economy in order to prevent a “lost decade” of low growth and high unemployment. Adam Posen, an external member of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee asks for a second round of quantitative easing, after already injecting £200billion into the economy.
Thursday, 30/09/10
Front Page
David Cameron faces strong oppositions after the Armed Forces staunchly support Liam Fox’s protest against the cuts to the defence spending. However, although the Prime minister defended Liam Fox’s right to argue against the cuts, he and George Osborne, the Chancellor urged the Defence Secretary to seek further cost-cutting measures.
Political News
It has emerged David Miliband to turn his back on front line-politics as he feared his presence in his brothers shadow cabinet would initiate in-fighting, a factor most accustomed to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown era.
Business News
Lloyd Blankfein, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs has warned that banks could relocate some of their operations out of Europe if regulations become too tedious. However, Goldman Sachs said it was committed to Europe despite the chief executive’s comments.
Friday, 01/10/10
Front Page
The bank of England has warned that it will now be even harder for first time buyers to obtain a mortgage, while those who want to renew their mortgage will be offered less attractive deals. The banks are imposing even tighter rules when lending, as they fear the higher unemployment rate forecasted will result in more homeowners defaulting on loans.
Political News
Vince Cable backs Dr Liam Fox in his protest against the defence cuts. He is one of several Liberal Democrat ministers who is supporting Dr Liam’s struggle with David Cameron to resume the navy’s £2billion programme for two new aircraft carriers.
Business News
Hedge funds are demanding that the Irish Government pay more for the £26billion dept they hold in the Anglo Irish Bank.
Monday, 27 September 2010
Commentary on an Article from PR Week, 17/09/2010
‘Tesco prepares to go green’
Tesco focus on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) credentials as they search for the right PR Company to take on the campaign. The supermarket giant heard pitches from many Pr Agencies, though have not yet made a decision as to who will front the operation. The focus on their green issues has come after last month’s appointment of Tim Mason to the role of deputy CEO, as well as the increasing scrutiny by campaigners on Tesco’s participation in forcing local shops to close down. Tim has been appointed with the specific responsibility for driving company values and climate change. Tesco have already got prominent high profile CSR movements under their belts such as the vouchers-for-schools campaign. However, it would be interesting to see how they approach their new revamped strategy of promoting their CSR credentials, especially in terms of tackling climate change.
As climate change becomes more and more of a buzz word in the modern day CSR movements, it will be a challenge to address the issue from an original perspective and one that promotes genuine concern, especially with the present chip in their brand image as facilitators of transforming city centres into ‘clone towns’. Futerra CEO Lucy Shea has stated that Tesco should aim to reduce customers own carbon footprints by 50 per cent by 2020 as well as their own. One suggestion to reduce customer emission was through product innovation designed to actively reduce customer’s carbon footprint. However, in order to promote their green credentials it is important that they create a participatory strategy, one that encourages their audiences to engage in their campaign. This not only reduces customer emissions but also makes them aware of Tesco’s efforts just by them taking part. For instance, there are two facets to tackling climate change, changing our behaviour and introducing innovative products that reduce carbon footprint, but also educating future generations in the importance of this current issue in order to effect long term changes. In terms of the latter, Tesco can utilise their present ties with the school community by actively seeking to educate the future generations in climate change. This can be done through for example organising a kids recycling challenge, to encourage them to come up with ideas/products on how to improve recycling in their communities. The kid with the best recycling idea/products will be rewarded and the idea/product will be promoted in their community and neighbouring communities. This participative strategy not only shows their long term commitment to climate change, but it also promotes their CSR efforts through audience participation, and utilises already successful channels of communication.
If you was leading Tesco’s campaign in promoting their green credentials what kind of approach would you take and why?
‘Tesco prepares to go green’
Dailly Newspaper Review, Week Two: Daily Mail
Monday, 20/09/10
Front Page
Nick Clegg launches a bid to crackdown on tax evasions by the middle class earners. The Deputy Prime minister proposes new intrusive tax investigations, as well as cuts in benefits such as winter pay, child benefit and free bus passes.
Political News
Tories deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft announces his departure after his attack on the Prime Minister David Cameron’s failure to secure a ‘thumping majority’ in the elections. Ashcroft held the position as chairman since 2005, and has donated £15 million to the Tory party over the years.
Business News
The London Stock Exchange launches a bid to replace its chairman Chris Gibson-Smith, who is to step down when his contract expires in 2012. The LSE have enlisted the help of City recruitment firm MWM Consulting in their succession planning.
Tuesday, 21/09/10
Front Page
Mortgage lending has plunged to a ten year low as well as loans to small firms decline successively for the past six months. The banks are now being urged to increase their lending or face swingeing new taxes, as around 500 small businesses collapse every week due to the difficulty in accessing funds to operate.
Political News
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne supports plans to increase green taxes by £22billion. The move will see 10 percent of all Government revenue come from green taxes during the next five years, and could result in soaring petrol prices.
Business News
The controversial Chief Executive of the Lloyd’s Banking Group Eric Daniels announces his retirement, which is to take place in a years’ time. The race for a candidate to succeed Daniels position begins, with Helen Weir the head of retail banking being the leading internal candidate for the £1million a year post.
Wednesday, 22/09/10
Front Page
The widow of the television comedian Les Dawson faces investigations for an alleged five figure benefits fraud. Tracy Dawson was interviewed along with her partner John Chadwick over claims that they failed to inform the Department for Work and Pensions that they were living together; the widower denies any claims of benefit fraud.
Political News
Vince Cable the Liberal Democrat Business Secretary will launch a government inquiry into corporate activities in a bid to curb the excessive behaviour of ‘fat cat’ company directors and extreme capitalism. The inquiry will enable shareholders to rein in executive pays and reduce hostile takeovers.
Business News
Researchers have confirmed as many as 60 small businesses will collapse every day as a result of the crippling effect of the recession and the frail economic recovery. Many businesses are blaming their failure on the reluctance of banks lending money; it is predicted 60,000 businesses will disappear between 2010 and 2012.
Thursday, 23/09/10
Front Page
Anti-social behaviour has increased in the streets of Britain as more and more police officers are taken off the beat. Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Denis O’Connor has admitted that the basic task of maintaining public peace has taken a back seat due to police officers concentrating on meeting targets for actual crimes.
Political News
Nick Clegg has launched a bid to defend foreign aid bill through committing Britain to increase their overseas spending by law. The Deputy Prime Minister declares that Britain would spend 0.7 per cent of its total income on foreign aid by 2013.
Business News
HSBC issues a statement in defence of chief executive Mike Geoghegan following reports that the CEO threatened to resign if he was not chosen to succeed Stephan Green as the new chairman. Insiders describe the race for the investment bank’s appointment of a new chairman as ‘high politics of the huge beasts of the corporate world’.
Friday, 24/09/10
Front Page
It has emerged that council tax spies have logged intrusive information on 25million homes under the Labour Government. The Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has vowed to protect public privacy by scaling back the right for tax inspectors to enter and assess properties.
Political News
Nick Clegg is to voice his guarded condemnation of the Iraq war. The deputy prime minister blames the war for damaging UK reputation on the world stage, and pledges to restore UK’s international standing through a more ‘liberal’ foreign policy.
Business News
HSBC prepares the departure of chief executive Mike Geoghegan and the appointment of Finance Director Douglas Flint as the new Chairman. The sudden double-appointment follows weeks of undignified disputes within the investment bank’s board to replace Chairman Stephen Green.
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Daily Newspaper Review, Week One: The Sun
Tuesday, 14/09/10
Front Page
Lady Gaga sparks controversy by donning an outfit fashioned out of raw meat to collect her one of 8 gongs at the MTV Video Music Awards. The publicity stunt was pulled to apparently protest against the US military ‘Don’ Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy restricting gay individuals to discuss their sexuality; though, animal welfare groups did not appreciate Gaga’s attempt at voicing her human rights concerns.
Lady Gaga sparks controversy by donning an outfit fashioned out of raw meat to collect her one of 8 gongs at the MTV Video Music Awards. The publicity stunt was pulled to apparently protest against the US military ‘Don’ Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy restricting gay individuals to discuss their sexuality; though, animal welfare groups did not appreciate Gaga’s attempt at voicing her human rights concerns.
Political News
Government spending cuts initiate unrest with union bosses threatening to take ‘co-ordinated action’. The prospect of huge job losses cause TUC boss Brendan Barber to brand the coalition government as a ‘demolition government’, seeing the reputation of the approval of the coalition plunder to its lowest since May elections.
Business News
The Basel III reforms drawn up to crack down on how banks lend money were voted through late on Sunday. Regulators have declared banks now have to increase their cash reserves by seven per cent compared to the current two per cent, which means millions of Brits are faced with increasingly higher overdraft, credit card and mortgage costs in a bid to recover the cost increase in banks’ business operations due to the new reforms.
Government spending cuts initiate unrest with union bosses threatening to take ‘co-ordinated action’. The prospect of huge job losses cause TUC boss Brendan Barber to brand the coalition government as a ‘demolition government’, seeing the reputation of the approval of the coalition plunder to its lowest since May elections.
Business News
The Basel III reforms drawn up to crack down on how banks lend money were voted through late on Sunday. Regulators have declared banks now have to increase their cash reserves by seven per cent compared to the current two per cent, which means millions of Brits are faced with increasingly higher overdraft, credit card and mortgage costs in a bid to recover the cost increase in banks’ business operations due to the new reforms.
Wednesday, 15/09/10
Front Page
It’s a case of ‘oops I did it again’, as George Michael grabs today’s front page headlines for crashing his Range Rover into a shop under the influence of cannabis. The star is sentenced to eight weeks in Pentonville prison, for not heeding prior warnings on many similar occasions as District Judge John Perkins declares.
It’s a case of ‘oops I did it again’, as George Michael grabs today’s front page headlines for crashing his Range Rover into a shop under the influence of cannabis. The star is sentenced to eight weeks in Pentonville prison, for not heeding prior warnings on many similar occasions as District Judge John Perkins declares.
Political News
The French where on full alert as the Eiffel tower is evacuated amidst a bomb scare, with 25,000 people evacuating the area around the famous landmark. Al-Qaeda issue warnings of destruction, protesting against the French legislation on the ban on full-face veils, which is to commence next spring.
The French where on full alert as the Eiffel tower is evacuated amidst a bomb scare, with 25,000 people evacuating the area around the famous landmark. Al-Qaeda issue warnings of destruction, protesting against the French legislation on the ban on full-face veils, which is to commence next spring.
Business News
Watchdog report the increase in complaints made about banks, a staggering 460 per day. Lloyds were owners of over a quarter of the 84,212 complaints made about banks and insurers, which exemplifies many firm’s lack of effective complaints handling as consumer focus watchdog chief Mike O’Connor comments.
Watchdog report the increase in complaints made about banks, a staggering 460 per day. Lloyds were owners of over a quarter of the 84,212 complaints made about banks and insurers, which exemplifies many firm’s lack of effective complaints handling as consumer focus watchdog chief Mike O’Connor comments.
Thursday, 16/09/10
Front Page
George Michael graces the front pages of The Sun on a consecutive day as he sobs amongst paedophiles and rapist in the Vulnerable Prisoners unit at Pentonville prison. The inmates welcomed the star to a chorus of taunts and jibes, reducing him to tears, causing the prison to prescribe drugs to help the star sleep.
George Michael graces the front pages of The Sun on a consecutive day as he sobs amongst paedophiles and rapist in the Vulnerable Prisoners unit at Pentonville prison. The inmates welcomed the star to a chorus of taunts and jibes, reducing him to tears, causing the prison to prescribe drugs to help the star sleep.
Political News
Consultants where paid extortionate amount of money to do labour minister’s jobs, as much as £2,500 a day was paid out to these ‘fat cat’ consultants by the government ministers. A total of £1.8billion pound was spent on external advisors during the Labour government, with Department for Culture, Media and Sport being the worst culprit, spending £1.2million in 2007-08.
Consultants where paid extortionate amount of money to do labour minister’s jobs, as much as £2,500 a day was paid out to these ‘fat cat’ consultants by the government ministers. A total of £1.8billion pound was spent on external advisors during the Labour government, with Department for Culture, Media and Sport being the worst culprit, spending £1.2million in 2007-08.
Business News
The soaring price of cotton sees the inflation in clothing price, as chief executive of Next Simon Wolfson predicts it could hit five to eight per cent rise during the course of next year. Of those, young mothers will bear the brunt of this with kids clothing having the highest cotton content, thus, a 10% price rise in kids clothing is forecasted.
Political News
Business NewsThe biggest dairy provider reports huge profit warnings, as price wars drive down the profit margins by 7million than expected. The profits warning have resulted in National Farmers Union to brand milk as the next ‘lager’ due to supermarket’s use as a loss leader in luring customers in.
The soaring price of cotton sees the inflation in clothing price, as chief executive of Next Simon Wolfson predicts it could hit five to eight per cent rise during the course of next year. Of those, young mothers will bear the brunt of this with kids clothing having the highest cotton content, thus, a 10% price rise in kids clothing is forecasted.
Friday, 17/09/10
Front Page
George Michael is desperate to reduce his time spent with his tormentors at the Vulnerable Prisoners Unit, as his aids launch a legal bid to lower the prison sentence on the grounds that the current eight weeks is too ‘excessive’. Michael’s lawyers have declared that the star is to be let out on bail whilst the appeal takes place.
Political News
Union bosses unite in a bid to prevent David Miliband becoming the leader of the Labour party. The unions GMB, Unite, Unison and CWU strategically agree to vote either David’s brother Ed or ex-Schools Secretary Ed Balls as they are the only two people who have enough backing to prevent David from taking Labour leadership.
Business News
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
The Beginning
I have started a 10-week PR/corporate communication internship at Brunswick (exciting times), and during this programme I will be taking you through my journey of the PR world, by commenting on articles on ‘PR week’, as well as keeping abreast of the daily news using various newspapers.
I have started a 10-week PR/corporate communication internship at Brunswick (exciting times), and during this programme I will be taking you through my journey of the PR world, by commenting on articles on ‘PR week’, as well as keeping abreast of the daily news using various newspapers.
Commentary on an Article from PR Week, 13/09/09
‘Blair cancels London book signing after security fears’
The first article that has caught my attention is the furore around Tony Blair’s book launch, partly because it is the Taj Mahal of all PR jobs and partly because two weeks prior I had watched a programme on one of Tony Blair’s first ever interviews after his step-down. It is an interesting watch, especially in terms of how the former PM handled the questions from a PR’s perspective. Although the interview is very open, and at first glance you raise an appreciative brow at Tony Blair’s attempts to openly discuss difficult topics on national TV, delving further it would emerge that ultimately he did not really answer Andrew Marr’s key questions; reinforcing his exceptional ability in dodging spitting flames, (maybe he could do Cameron’s PR if Coulson should step down-just a suggestion). Have a watch if you have the time, 'Tony Blair interview with Andrew Marr'.
Possibly the interview is a PR feat to gradually ease Blair into the public eye before the book launch, dipping your toes into a hot bath tub before jumping in. If that was the case, it appears it would have failed its purpose as demonstrated by the unrest at Dublin book signing, and the cancellation of the London book launch amidst security fears. The former PM states the cancellation was, ‘to avoid the inconvenience to the public it would have caused’, or more so to reduce the chips being hammered into his reputation-ok bulldozing in Blair’s case. Nevertheless, the cancellation was a good move, it is widely excepted that Tony Blair has fallen out with the people, but to create a situation to ‘air your dirty laundry’ would not be a wise move. Moreover, although it would have been the culmination to the PR drive in promoting Blair’s memoir, the shoe throwing in Dublin followed by the cancellation of the London book signing still did the job in headline grabbing media coverage. So it would seem Tony Blair did not do so badly by his book as I had expected, oh he is a slippery fellow isn’t he!
What do you think-is the furore around Tony Blair’s book launch a good thing or a bad thing? And how would you rate the PR drive around it?
'Blair cancels London book signing after security fears’
'Tony Blair interview with Andrew Marr'
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