Anyone who believes, and it appears that Mr Wilson (Letters, July 14) does, that certain sections of the print media do not use distortion, halftruths and deliberate misrepresentation to create the wrong impression, must still believe in the tooth fairy.
On the very day that his letter appeared there were two glaring examples to behold. The headline in at least three newspapers was 'Minister says high fuel prices are a good thing'. This was totally untrue. What the minister actually said was "Higher
prices are encouraging people to make fewer journeys and it is good that traffic is moving more freely."
Jacqui Smith announced that knife offenders would be made to visit hospitals "To see for themselves what damage can be caused by a knife attack." This was reported giving the impression that the offender would be visiting his victim carrying a bunch of grapes and sitting by the bedside holding his hand. Totally untrue.
When Cherie Blair said that "I am concerned about knife crime and what happens when my children are on the streets" it was published as a story with the glaring headline 'Mrs Blair fears for her children.' If those examples are not distortion then the English language was altered when I was away.
As for Mrs Herlingshaw (July 14) and her reference to the abolition of the 10 per cent tax band; from September most basic rate tax payers will see a one off increase in monthly take home pay of around £60 with an increase of £10 a month for the rest of the financial year.
ROY PEARSON, Leeds.
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