New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Business
  2. Economics
31 May 2012updated 26 Sep 2015 6:47pm

Expressing half-truths

Lies, damn lies, and Express front-pages

By Alex Hern

The Express’ front page today is pretty clear:

Doctors earn £110,000 a year?! Well, no. Some doctors earn £110,000 a year. Not that you would know it from the piece, which doesn’t source that figure at all. In the commentary next to the lead article, Dr Dan Poulter MP reveals:

The average salary of a GP is almost £110,000.

So what “£110,000 a year doctors to strike over pay” means is “some doctors who earn £110,000 will strike over pay. Other doctors, who earn less, will also strike.” Which reasoning can also work for headlines like “Footballers who have never scored a goal win world cup”, “Drug addicts are productive members of society” and “misleading headlines in the Express”.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
The UK’s skills shortfall is undermining growth
<strong>What kind of tax reforms would stimulate growth?</strong>
How to end the poverty premium