The Sun

[2canplay]

This is sort of a continuation of a theme from last week.

Can anyone explain to me why The Sun takes the particular political and economic stance that it does.

You would think that because they appeal to a demographic with less income, they would favour more left-leaning policies - I'd say that's intuitive. However, I'd guess that your average CAW worker reads The Sun, even though the papers politics are strongly anti-union. To me The Sun appeals to a lower-income demographic because they have lots of bright pictures, small words and lots of sports and entertainment "news." So therefore, I wonder if promoting right-wing ideology to the lower-income demographic using these types of contrivances that the Sun seems to employ is conscious. (also applies to right-wing radio in the states).

I've been reading recently about the white-elites in the American South in the late 1800's who had to organize a campaign to gain support among the middle-to-lower classes to protect their economic interests. I see similarities, I'd be interested in hearing your comments so I can put my conspiracy theories to rest.

 

[Hi i'm God]

If other papers where easy to open and hold while reading as the sun is, i'd read them too.

 

[judge wopner]

a lot of people see the left as the party that will increase taxes for social programs.
(right or wrong its a common perception)

i figure the average tradesman or auto worker has a pretty steady income, and probally owns a home.

the idea of being taxed more to fund a social program you figure you wont use would be an affront. there are a lot of people in a low-middle class strata who are not poor enough to make full use of many social programs, thus minimal taxation is a precieved benefit.

the same goes for a lot of sole-proprietors who also prefer the sun as they would be freindlier to a right winged approach of free enterprise non?

so you prefer the sun to the toronto star who makes every white person out to be discriminatory and every visible minority an angel.

 

[man_slut]

Look at who the editor of the Sun is. It's written in simple English to appeal to the masses. The Sunshine chicks help as well .

 

[2canplay]

Great observations.

Therefore, is there room for a worker's newspaper? A newspaper that covers sports, entertainment, lots of girlie pictures and seeks to establish social programs paid for by higher taxes for people who earn over $150K (150K as an example of a high earner). Not necessarily pro-social spending but more equitable taxation.

Plausible?

Does it sound to pinko-commie and if so, why?

 

[2canplay]

Actually, I just thought about it and I answered my own question.

Advertisers. That's the key.

Forget I brought it up.

 

[kerouacdude]

Originally posted by 2canplay
Can anyone explain to me why The Sun takes the particular political and economic stance that it does.

You would think that because they appeal to a demographic with less income, they would favour more left-leaning policies - I'd say that's intuitive.]

I wouldn’t argue that at all. Salt of the earth people more often than not hold conservative values.

[ However, I'd guess that your average CAW worker reads The Sun, even though the papers politics are strongly anti-union. ]

As far as union membership, well that’s what, 30 some odd per cent these days and your average auto assembly line worker isn’t exactly an NDPer – the union leadership yeah, but not necessarily the rank and file, depending on industry.

[So therefore, I wonder if promoting right-wing ideology to the lower-income demographic using these types of contrivances that the Sun seems to employ is conscious. (also applies to right-wing radio in the states}

First of all, I think it’s a bit simplistic to look at it in terms of right-wing and left-wing, it’s more complex than that.
From day one, the Sun has defined themselves as the other – they weren’t gonna be The Star, the Globe or The Telegram (their predecessor). They perpetuated and cultivated an image as an underdog (“The Little Paper That Could”). A lot of “average” people like that and identify with that. The paper was smaller than the Star and Globe and those two papers had, and still have really, more of an arms-length relationship with their readership. No paper embraces their readers and knows their niche more than The Sun. The Sun have always had fewer of the aspirational type of articles that imply people have to have a certain lifestyle or certain products/things to live a happy life. Again, I think that’s a strong psychological anchor for a lot of people.

Second point - Why on earth would you consider sports and entertainment and such to be contrivances??
They are (or can be) just as valid journalistically as any other part of the paper, and they are certainly just as a valid a motivator behind purchasing behaviour.
Poll after poll that asks male Globe readers what paper they would buy if not the Globe? The Sun. What’s the number one reason? The sports section.

Read the Sun’s very first editorial, from 1971. I think they’ve stayed remarkably true to form.
http://www.canoe.com/TorSunHistory/30th.html

 

[Littlest Hobo]

The Sun isn't that bad; it's MUCH better than the Star. They have Eric Margolis, whom I like. Jim Slotek is a good read. The sports section is better than anything else in this city. And they have (usually) a hot chick in a bikini. The Sun covers local news better than the Star and Globe (crime, local sports). The Sunday Sun is much better than the Sunday Star (except for Ben Rayner). Obviously, the editorial board gets tiresome (right is good, left is bad blah blah blah). Mind you, the opposite at the Star is true as well.


1. Globe
2. Sun
3. Star
4000. Post

 

[judge wopner]

yeah screw the post!!

the globe has really stepped up but sadly the Star is the most bought newspaper in canada.

and even worse part of their approach is to mislead people into thinking they are some sort of middle ground between the sun and the globe.

i think their article about the lack of visible minorities on the blue jays roster was when they pretty much jumped the shark.

go globe!!!

 

[derek]

all those papers suck

i get my news beamed directly into my head via a beam originating from the sirus constellation

 

[PosTMOd]

I guess this is the type of pap that the poli sci majors are complaining about in that thread about them...

 

[man_slut]

Originally posted by PosTMOd
I guess this is the type of pap that the poli sci majors are complaining about in that thread about them...

LMAO!