2. Tabloid Media Brief

 

Tabloid Media 

    Tabloids have always been considered as less than news sources than official news stations. Tabloids are known for spinning the truth and for spilling the juiciest of secrets of celebrities and government officials. Number Analytics states that tabloid journalism is "Characterized by its use of bold headlines, emotive language, and a focus on scandal and controversy, tabloid journalism has become a ubiquitous feature of modern media." While Newspapers and New stations are held to regulations and high standards such as to seek the truth, to minimize harm, to avoid conflicts of interests, and to be accountable and transparent it leads people to wonder where these standards for Tabloids are? 

    Tabloids are known for being ruthless in finding their stories. They are known for Paparazzi chasing celebrities without mercy sometimes on a level that can be compared to stalking. They air stories with very little to no fact checking. Their goal is not to inform the public of the truth but to sell headlines. Our Mental Health states, "High-profile incidents have drawn attention to how chronic exposure to this environment can result in long-term mental health issues, making it clear that the effects of paparazzi culture reach far beyond mere inconvenience." Celebrities such as  Kristen Bell and George ClooneyGeorge Clooney have spoken out about the impact of paparazzi on their families especially their children's privacy. 

    One case in which the tabloids took it way to far is in the case was when British News of The World tabloid journalist was involved in hacking people's phones for information beginning in the 1990s. The hacking was discovered when the tabloid released a story in 2005 about Prince Williams and his treatment of an injury based off the information that could have only come from the journalists listening to his voicemails. With the help of a private investigator the reporters were able to listen to voicemails of celebrities, politicians, and crime victims to help them get ahead of their competition and find new angles. 

     After several years of invading people's privacy Rupert Murdoch, owner The News of the World  , admitted how large the scale of hacking was in 2011. This came years after one of the tabloids private investigators and editor was arrested for producing a story based on information they learned from hacking. The paper originally stated that a few rogue staff had acted alone. However, after it was discovered that Milly Dowler, a teenager who was abducted and murdered, had her voicemails hacked the paper had no choice but to close. 

   Prince Harry has since made it his own personal mission to hold these tabloids accountable for the lines they cross into people's privacy. While others were willing to accept a settlement Prince Henry feels that he has a score to settle with the tabloids. He feels that he has be personally attacked by paparazzi and the tabloid media and he blames them not only for the persistent attacks of his wife, Meghan Markle, but also for the death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. 

    Fast-forward to 2019, Prince Harry went to war against three newspapers- Murdoch's News Group, the Mirror Group, and Associated Newspapers. By 2023 Harry won his case against the Mirror Group. Prince Harry then set his sights on the Sun, part of Murdoch's News Group, in January of 2025 however, after only one day in court the two sides agreed to a settlement and the News Group Newspapers offered a full apology. Prince Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, stated that "The time for accountability has arrived." 

    In conclusion, tabloid media should be taken with a grain of salt. It is important to always check the tabloid medias sources and accuracy before taken their word as gospel truth. There is very little regulations regarding tabloid media, and they are not held accountable very often for the half-truths or lies that they spread.