Sensationalism sells newspapers. Responsible papers like The Star need to constantly
guard that, in the quest for a snappy headline that will sell well, they do not
exaggerate the contents.
The Star's headline of Friday July 2, "Lolly's daughter
robbed" broke this rule. Nowhere in
the article is there any suggestion that the incident was anything other than a
burglary.
For those who don't know, in a robbery there is violence, or threat of
violence, towards the victim, who must be present. If things are stolen but the victim is not
present, as in the break-in in this case, it is a burglary.
Surely the
headline-writer must know that robbery is much more serious that burglary? Particularly at this time when the eyes of the
world are on South Africa
Mr Editor, an apology
to your readers would be in order.
[but was not forthcoming...]
