Another non-story parading as a story

Militant Manager gets irritated by journalists who print a story with the most convenient headline without looking into the agendas of those involved, the context of the story and an opportunity for someone else to put the converse point of view.

For example, take this article by a journalist I quite like - Martin Beckford - on the rise of dementia patients in hospital.  The headline screams that emergency admissions for dementia has risen 12%.  There are so many things wrong with it.  First, it is an odd use of statistics.  The 12% rise figure is not an annual figure as most of us would assume, but actually the rise over 4 years - so actually the annual rise is 3%.  But the headline is cheap when you take it over 4 years.  Second, what do I compare it to.  How have emergency admissions been rising overall?  What is the rise in other conditions?

The other thing is the article only gives paltry information on the context.  You really have to dig to find out that there was a National Dementia Strategy in 2009.  And in February of this year there was a £2m ad campaign (though that would not have really affected these figures).  And coding has been improving over this time.  So in that context of raising awareness, and greater sensitivity to dementia, 12% over 4 years does not alarm me.

Then, what about the agenda of the people promoting the report.  It is MHP Health Mandate, a PR/ lobbying/ communications (you pick) company and the Alzheimer's Society.  Would you think they would have an agenda>  And if that is the most extreme they can paint the statistics - which when put into context is not really that surprising - then the numbers cannot be that alarming in reality.

The report, however, does not really address these points; and then goes on to quote only people from these bodies.  We know how it works - either these quotes are already on the press release, or the promoters make available well briefed individuals to interview.  It is much more difficult for the journalist to find context, agendas and contrary points of view - so they generally suffer.

While we are on the topic why are press releases written in the third person.  Are they not issued by the organisation themselves; and therefore should they not be in the first person.  Is it to make it easy to reprint without alteration?  I really do not know the answer to this question and would be interested in finding out.

I must say that I am concerned about dementia.  It is an issue that we need to grapple with in its right proportions.  And I am glad there are groups that promote its awareness and impact.

My issue is with those who consume those reports, and re-report it.  They/ we need to put it into context.   If that does not happen, it irritates Militant Manager; and hopefully it will now also irritate you.