This much worn phrase implies that no matter how good or bad
a printed headline is, in the vast array of news print we have available, it undoubtedly
has a very limited lifespan. The sensationalism of a newspaper headline is more
often than not extremely short lived and therefore all too easily forgotten!
It is without doubt our ability to forget that has Government,
aided by their very clever PR gurus, that regularly and without challenge allow
contentious and controversial issues to be “shock news” for a relatively short
period of time as they are aware that we all literally “forgive and forget” in
the space of a few days.
We can see clear battle lines being drawn when unpopular
decisions are about to be made. With a quantifiable time period for the bad
press fallout and social media pillorying in place. Rest assured there are
advisors upon advisors acting on behalf of the many Government departments,
working away into the wee small hours calculating just how long a bad news
story will run and last, and working out how to “ride out the chorus of protest
and disapproval”.
It is these risk and reward calculations that allow
Government to make unpopular choices and deal with a plethora of embarrassing
headlines. Even though we have no official word as to who or what will
constitute the makeup of the next Government we have already seen, read and
forgotten the recent headlines over the retaining, recharging or ditching of
water charges!
We will read with regularity over the coming few days and
weeks claim and counter claim as more and more insider inter-party negotiation
information is leaked to the press from all mainstream political parties,
alliance interest groups and independents, who could well be holding the
balance of power of the next Government – a throwback to the “good old days!”.
This in turn will create sensational and often spurious
headlines with a view to creating shock and astonishment for the reader.
However, we must be prepared to dig deeper beyond the initial headline to get
at the truth of the story to formulate our own opinions.
Sometimes we can and will be swayed by headline grabbers who
cynics might say are published by newspapers to increase sales. After all bad
news seems to sell many more newspapers than a good news story headline.
To tackle the various hot ticket issues in the next few
weeks we need in turn to voice our own opinions and concerns to those who will
making the decisions behind closed doors and in the corridors of Dublin. After
all did we not go to the poles to vote for change? This can of course be done
on a very local level through our four newly directly elected members.
But be warned the clock is ticking on our opportunity to
have our say and voice our opinion. But it is never too late to make that
difference.
We are all responsible for creating our own headlines and
making the printed news matter to us. The last things we need in Waterford and
Ireland Inc is a whole series of newspapers headlines that will simply
disappear into our green refuse bin. Ultimately biodegrading or being recycled
into another sensational newspaper headline.
As tax payers and voters we must not be frightened or
concerned about contacting and lobbying those very people we ultimately employ.
We are all responsible for making change for the betterment of Waterford and the
wider society in general.
Don’t let today’s headlines be tomorrow’s fish supper
wrapper!
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