If you’ve ever wondered how low mainstream newspaper reporting on racing could sink, check last weekend’s issue of The Sunday Independent (R14.50 inc VAT). It’ll make you cry.
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On page one, a banner headline “ALL THE J&B MET GLITTERATI” and a collage of fashion people.
On page three, a photo reportage of the J&B Met.
It takes up two-third of the page, headlined “Celebs bling it on at mane event”.
The accompanying copy deals with celebrities attending the J&B Met, and five of their photographs.
But filling space isn’t easy, apparently.
The picture in the bottom right hand corner of page 3 had already appeared in a sister publication to the Independent prior to the race, last week.
Sunday’s caption reads: “NOTHING TO HIDE: Freya Wissing from Cape Town in a Christian Dior outfit. Zebra Crossing was the winning horse of the day.”
Holy shit, Zebra Crossing?
But of course, the picture caption was entirely correct, as the accompanying photograph had been taken by one Brenton Geach when Zebra Crossing won the J&B Met in 2006.
Five years ago! Superb reporting. Editing to die for.
But wait – it gets better.
Not anywhere else in the same Sunday Independent issue will you find just one other mention of the J&B Met as a race. Or who won it.
Perhaps the J&B never happened?
PS. Checked the Independent’s website as well. Searched for J&B Met – guess what… nothing!
