Is The Irish Times Going Tabloid?

SafeSurfer

What are the major changes at the newspaper taking place from November 5th?

Seaneh

It's been a glorified tabloid for years at this stage, not as bad as the indo but not far off.

El Weirdo

If it does it'll be the death of an already dying paper.

Aidric

No it isn't.

Christine Bohan ‏@ChristineBohan
Redesigned Irish Times paper launches on Monday, says @davidcochrane. Going to still be broadsheet but thinner, apparently.

markesmith

Seaneh wrote: »

It's been a glorified tabloid for years at this stage, not as bad as the indo but not far off.

I disagree with this, the Irish Times is a quality newspaper. The industry is trying to evolve, but I think the IT has kept it's integrity. Not a shill, by the way.

9959

I predict a riot!
Well, some mumbling and grumbling in Glasthule and Dalkey.

Aswerty

markesmith wrote: »

I disagree with this, the Irish Times is a quality newspaper. The industry is trying to evolve, but I think the IT has kept it's integrity. Not a shill, by the way.

I'd agree but it's opinion columns are often as bad as anything you'd find in the indo. Waters' articles are some of the worst stuff in print media. Also with the passing of Crossaire I haven't enjoyed and don't click with the new cryptic crosswords.

9959

Aswerty wrote: »

....... I haven't enjoyed and don't click with the new cryptic crosswords.

You mean you can't do them.

Stinicker

I like the Irish Times and read it online occasionally but I will never buy a broadsheet newspaper as it is just unreadable due to its stupidly massive size.

recyclebin

The only two places I find I can read the Irish Times is at the kitchen table or on the couch with it laid out on the floor.

amen

The Irish Times. A great daily read from the paper of record. Good indepth coverage of the main issues in Ireland and abroad with real journalists on the ground.

Its a great boardsheet and I hope they keep the current format.

El Weirdo

Stinicker wrote: »

I like the Irish Times and read it online occasionally but I will never buy a broadsheet newspaper as it is just unreadable due to its stupidly massive size.

recyclebin wrote: »

The only two places I find I can read the Irish Times is at the kitchen table or on the couch with it laid out on the floor.

You need to learn how to do this.

MadsL

Stinicker wrote: »

I like the Irish Times and read it online occasionally but I will never buy a broadsheet newspaper as it is just unreadable due to its stupidly massive size.

My grandfather used to take a needle and thread and stich it before reading.

9959

MadsL wrote: »

My grandfather used to take a needle and thread and stich it before reading.

How then did he turn the pages?

amen

You need to learn how to do this.

brilliant. Travelling on the Dart you learn very quickly how to do this.

Rasheed

Until I came on Boards, I never realised that the Independant was held in such poor regard.

I personally find it as good as any. Why has it such a bad name?

fasttalkerchat

I like the times... although it does go a bit tabloid-y for anything Northern Ireland related.

fasttalkerchat

Rasheed wrote: »

Until I came on Boards, I never realised that the Independant was held in such poor regard.

I personally find it as good as any. Why has it such a bad name?

Its too liberal for boards :eek: I said it!

The Sparrow

Anyone who still has any time for The IT should have a read of this:

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2012/06/05/kate-fitzgerald-and-the-irish-times-apology-to-the-communications-clinic-the-press-council-decision/

They paper acted disgracefully last year and basically branded a suicide victim as a liar after the company she worked for complained about an anonymous article that she wrote before she died. After her death the IT named her and then subsequently first amended her article and then then issued an apology accusing her of lying but offering no proof of that.

It was disgusting how they treated Kate Fitzgerald and her family following her death and were willing to bend over backwards due to the threat of legal action from The Communications Clinic.

The paper will need to do a whole lot more than just change it's size to convince me to ever buy it again.

Celly Smunt

9959 wrote: »

How then did he turn the pages?

really?

Dangerous Man

Seaneh wrote: »

It's been a glorified tabloid for years at this stage, not as bad as the indo but not far off.

?????

Dangerous Man

The Sparrow wrote: »

Anyone who still has any time for The IT should have a read of this:

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2012/06/05/kate-fitzgerald-and-the-irish-times-apology-to-the-communications-clinic-the-press-council-decision/

They paper acted disgracefully last year and basically branded a suicide victim as a liar after the company she worked for complained about an anonymous article that she wrote before she died. After her death the IT named her and then subsequently first amended her article and then then issued an apology accusing her of lying but offering no proof of that.

It was disgusting how they treated Kate Fitzgerald and her family following her death and were willing to bend over backwards due to the threat of legal action from The Communications Clinic.

The paper will need to do a whole lot more than just change it's size to convince me to ever buy it again.

It's the only paper worth reading in Ireland unfortunately and it's really going to the dogs. It seems that every second article is penned by some ****-for-brains feminist nutter.

strandroad

markesmith wrote: »

I disagree with this, the Irish Times is a quality newspaper. The industry is trying to evolve, but I think the IT has kept it's integrity. Not a shill, by the way.

I would have agreed if not their property shilling and their treatment of late Kate Fitzgerald.

inmyday

I think it has gone down hill since ex editor Geraldine Kennedy retired. And also, the price has risen.

Dangerous Man

inmyday wrote: »

I think it has gone down hill since ex editor Geraldine Kennedy retired. And also, the price has risen.

It's funny you mention that because I feel that its decline began when she took over. Having said that, it has really gone downhill fast since she left.

MadsL

9959 wrote: »

How then did he turn the pages?

Facepalm

Sinfonia

Aswerty wrote: »

Also with the passing of Crossaire I haven't enjoyed and don't click with the new cryptic crosswords.

Roy Earle's were where I started (not too long ago), and the new 'Crossheir' ones are similar to his, although a bit easier I must say.
I bought a book of Derek Crozier's and still can't get my head around most of the clues, it really is a totally different style. Need more practice with 'em I guess..

Grayson

The IT is unfortunately the best of a bad lot. The Indo is just to tabloidly. And the rest are just blatant rags.

iDave

Big plans for Nov 5!!!!
are they planning on blowing up parliament?

Stinicker

Rasheed wrote: »

Until I came on Boards, I never realised that the Independant was held in such poor regard.

I personally find it as good as any. Why has it such a bad name?

The Independent is nothing but a rag and a Fianna Fail mouthpiece, I would not even use it as toilet paper.

SafeSurfer

Stinicker wrote: »

The Independent is nothing but a rag and a Fianna Fail mouthpiece, I would not even use it as toilet paper.

No recession in your house.

Son Of A Vidic

Stinicker wrote: »

The Independent is nothing but a rag and a Fianna Fail mouthpiece, I would not even use it as toilet paper.

So basically it's the same as the Times, but from a different perspective.

markesmith

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

Its too liberal for boards :eek: I said it!

I don't pay much heed to the Indo, but the Sindo is a glorified D4 glam z-celeb newsletter with some titillating shots of Chesty Morahan for when you take it to the 'WC'

For Forks Sake

iDave wrote: »

Big plans for Nov 5!!!!
are they planning on blowing up parliament?

Sketch lads, we've been rumbled...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8UtojJT8ts

Aodh Rua

markesmith wrote: »

I disagree with this, the Irish Times is a quality newspaper. The industry is trying to evolve, but I think the IT has kept it's integrity.

Kate. Never forgotten. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a hanam dílis.

The Irish Times and the Prone/Savage family reached a nadir in their respective histories when they abused their power regarding the death of that young lady. As a lifelong Irish Times reader, until a comprehensive apology is made to the Fitzgerald family, the Irish Times and the Irish Times Trust belies the integrity and honour which it generally has had since Douglas Gageby became editor in 1963. It is the best newspaper in Ireland, but as the competition is Independent Newspapers that isn't hard. Only when The Irish Times brings closure to the Fitzgerald family will it begin to reclaim its position as one of Europe's best quality papers. It still lacks the courage to do the right thing. This is a shameful and saddening abuse of power.

Kate Fitzgerald (1986-2011)

upandcumming

The Sparrow wrote: »

Anyone who still has any time for The IT should have a read of this:

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2012/06/05/kate-fitzgerald-and-the-irish-times-apology-to-the-communications-clinic-the-press-council-decision/

They paper acted disgracefully last year and basically branded a suicide victim as a liar after the company she worked for complained about an anonymous article that she wrote before she died. After her death the IT named her and then subsequently first amended her article and then then issued an apology accusing her of lying but offering no proof of that.

It was disgusting how they treated Kate Fitzgerald and her family following her death and were willing to bend over backwards due to the threat of legal action from The Communications Clinic.

The paper will need to do a whole lot more than just change it's size to convince me to ever buy it again.

Just because she was a suicide victim doesn't mean she wasn't a liar.

juan.kerr

Stinicker wrote: »

The Independent is nothing but a rag and a Fianna Fail mouthpiece, I would not even use it as toilet paper.

Just as well. I think you can get bum cancer from the ink.

planetX

I haven't bought a newspaper for years, but IT is best of a bad lot - however if I'm in a cafe I always pick up the Indo instead so I don't make a show of myself with pages everywhere and stuff falling off the table. I would prefer a tabloid Irish times... still wouldn't buy it tho:o

Toby Take a Bow

In addition to the Kate Fitzgerald fiasco, there's a distinct lack of investigative journalism, too many articles from other (better) newspapers, too many troll columnists and too many economists who were so completely misguided about the economic 'boom' that serious questions remain when not only are they still employed by the IT but they still feel qualified to spout on and on about current economic policies.

The whole refit reminds me a bit of deckchairs on the titanic.

juan.kerr

Does the refit involve dropping John Waters?

Any word on when Tom Humphries will be back?

Mr Cumulonimbus

It's going to be narrower according to the IT's own piece.

IceFjoem

One thing that really irritates me is the one sided, pro Israel stance held by the IT. The Palestinian - Israel conflict is not exactly black and white and horrific things are committed by both sides, but the IT blatantly avoid the moral issues of Zionism and you can forget about objective discussion of Israeli War Crimes.

buyer95

amen wrote: »

The Irish Times. A great daily read from the paper of record. Good indepth coverage of the main issues in Ireland and abroad with real journalists on the ground.

Its a great boardsheet and I hope they keep the current format.

Thank you Kevin O'Sullivan

Logical_Bear

IceFjoem wrote: »

One thing that really irritates me is the one sided, pro Israel stance held by the IT. The Palestinian - Israel conflict is not exactly black and white and horrific things are committed by both sides, but the IT blatantly avoid the moral issues of Zionism and you can forget about objective discussion of Israeli War Crimes.

never read any of robert fisks articles??

Marcusm

juan.kerr wrote: »

Any word on when Tom Humphries will be back?

I think there are a few processes to go through before that would come on the radar....

take everything

Aswerty wrote: »

I'd agree but it's opinion columns are often as bad as anything you'd find in the indo. Waters' articles are some of the worst stuff in print media. Also with the passing of Crossaire I haven't enjoyed and don't click with the new cryptic crosswords.

Much of Waters' stuff is execrable.
Fintan O' Toole is always interesting though.

caste_in_exile

Is that the paper that is running an advert claiming to have "the secret to happiness" in its next edition

finisklin

take everything wrote: »

Fintan O' Toole is always interesting though.

His moral compass does capture the heart of the nation. Pity that it's largely met with indifference by its readership.

inmyday

caste_in_exile wrote: »

Is that the paper that is running an advert claiming to have "the secret to happiness" in its next edition

Nah, thats the Sunday independent.

IceFjoem

Logical_Bear wrote: »

never read any of robert fisks articles??

Didn't realize he wrote for the Irish Times?! :eek:

The Sparrow

upandcumming wrote: »

Just because she was a suicide victim doesn't mean she wasn't a liar.

No but surely the paper had a duty of care to her reputation since they were the ones that went out of their way to identify her. She submitted an anonymous article and it was the IT that decided to name her following her death. Then they first tried to amend her article on their website which was basically changing the words of a dead girl and then they called her a liar knowing that her family would have no legal recourse or avenue to challenge them.

At no point have the Irish Times ever presented any evidence that anything in the original article was factually untrue even though the family have repeatedly called for this evidence to be published or made available to them. And if you read the original anonymous article, much of it was about Kate Fitzgerald's personal experience of working in The Communications Clinic. So I find it difficult to accept that The Irish Times could establish that some of what she wrote was not factual without being able to speak to her directly.

And that's not even going into the fact that other former employees have made similar allegations against The Communications Clinic.

I agree that just because someone is a suicide victim it doesn't mean that they cannot be a liar. However, I would also contend that The Irish Times would never have printed that apology if she was still alive and that is just wrong. If a so called paper of record is willing to completely shaft a young suicide victim without presenting a shred of evidence you have to question their ethical stance on every issue.