International Women's Day: Carina Trimingham & the Tabloids

LONDON:

Recently, the tabloids have been acting like 'silly kids on a bus' over the Pryce trial and have also leaked nasty personal attacks about Carina Trimingham, Chris Huhne's partner, words that Vicky Pryce has allegedly mentioned in an email to Isabel Oakeshott  of "The Sunday Times". 

I feel that Pryce's alleged personal attack seems to be made even worse by printing her diatribe. The media, with its paid editors and journalists, should be trained enough to be aware of the consequences of printing that to the general public. In the old days, they wouldn't sink to such a level, and why should it be acceptable now - because they can. Freedom of Speech  also means there could be consequences.

How would anyone like to read a personal attack about themselves in the paper, in such a way, it could affect someone's life.  Just because someone is a 'public figure' doesn't mean they have to put with abusive comments in the media, this can be excerbated elsewhere.  The media are getting away with reproducing a vile personal attack just because 'it sells papers'.  Perhaps their writing is so bad they feel they have to resort to such tactics.  

Whether we agree with what she did or not, should we, as a nation, sink to such low standards and print out personal attacks? As journalists, we do have responsibility.

Why, in this day and age, should women be still be regarded for our looks, rather than our work and who cares what our sexuality is too?

As for me, next week, I will be dressing up as a Cockroach for a Cockroach Tour at the Science Museum, booked today on International Women's Day.

Looks, I can do 'looks' all right.