Not sure what the Courier are playing at in this week's issue by labelling our town "Scumbridge," by saying that is what the residents of Tunbridge Wells call Tonbridge. I've never heard that phrase used before in my 21 years living in the town and I've spoken to lots of people today who also have never heard it. Is this the Courier's final way of saying actually we confess we are really a Tunbridge Wells focussed newspaper and we are completely out of touch with Tonbridge since we abandonned the town over a year ago leaving us without a newspaper office for the first time in over a hundered years. I've said this before but I think that it's called for again: Bring back the Tonbridge Free Press! They used to have an office and printing press right next to the Rose and Crown Hotel in the heart of Tonbridge. They had an ear very firmly planted to the ground in Tonbridge, they were in tune with the local people and businessed. I don't think that that can be said of the Courier any more. Oh what's that you say? We can't bring back the Tonbridge Free Press? Because the Courier own the title!...
11 comments:
I have heard the term "Scumbridge" used before; mainly by younger people. However, the Courier should know better than to scrape the bottom of the barrel in this manner. Are they really that short of a proper story? Cheap journalism at its worst I'm afraid.
Think this goes to prove they have nothing to write about and no interest in this town. We don't need the Courier anyway - Tonbridge has this blog for all the latest goings on!
I agree about the Courier, but remember, it is part of the daily hate group. In protest, I am not going to buy the paper for the rest of this year.
Yes I have heard the term used before - usually by young people. I was furious when I read the headline especially when there is an Arts Festival in town and there is no coverage. Paul Bailey is right - it's cheap journalisam and definitely the worst of cheap journalism. They certainly have no interest in Tonbridge at all and a below the belt comment like this is actually offensive. Yes ... I feel offended by The Courier ... how dare they. Can we sue or make a fuss or lobby someone just to give bad press to The Courier and show people into what depths this newspaper has sunk.
For the Tonbridge edition of the Courier to consider this to be front page news illustrates the poor level of journalism they're currently capable of.
I'm fed up with their headlines which don't seem to accurately reflect the story when you read the details, & I'm afraid they've just lost another regular reader.
I gave up buying the Courier, on a regular basis, years ago. Basically they're just not interested in any real local news, and certainly shy away from coverage of any positive happenings in the community (like the recent arts festival, for example).
We all know that newspapers' sole raison d'etre is to make money for their proprietors, and if this can be achieved with a few cheap and cynical headlines, rather than actually sending a reporter out to cover something that is really worthwhile, the so much the better for them!
I haven't read the whole article but from the short post on the Courier website it seems to be saying that the "Scumbridge" tag isn't warranted. If anything it's trying to shame the residents of Tunbridge Wells who have called the town this name for years.
I have heard the name used but with a tongue placed very firmly in cheek.
Still, this is a non-story when there are much better things to be reporting.
I think they did say they didn't agree with it. But that is a widely used media tactic to get the idea out there. In effct they have made up a story just to grab readers. It stinks when you think about it. I think they are owned by the Daily Mail so we shouldn't be altogether suprised!!!
i think you should read the article as the paper is actually defending the good things about the town...
Anon. you are right of course they did go on to say that the made up Scumbridge tag wasn't justified but my point is that, despite this, the idea is still out there when the paper leads with such a provocative headline. It's a cheap, overly used journalistic technique to cause sensation and to stir up people's feelings. Of course Tonbridge Blog would never stoop to such depths. It was, it has to be said, a new low for our local snooze paper....
Let's face it guys- it's true!
Post a Comment