Is the Sun undermining its credibility? |

Wednesday 4th November 2009 | 17:30

Is the Sun undermining its credibility?

The newspaper decided not to mention David Cameron's "cast iron guarantee" that he would hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Insiders from all sides other than Conservative think it is undermining its credibility

The Sun’s decision not the mention the Conservative Party's ‘cast iron guarantee’ that they would hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, coming after a sustained period of overt support for the Tories, is undermining its credibility in the opinion of political insiders across the spectrum - except Conservatives.

Overall, 49% believe the newspaper’s support for the Tories is so strong that it is undermining the paper's credibility, whilst 46% disagree.

There is marked split across party lines - 75% of left-aligned and 83% of Lib Dem-aligned supporters are critical of The Sun, compared to 19% of right-aligned insiders.

A majority of non-aligned members of the panel - many of whom are journalists and media commentators and independent academic observers - believe The Sun's credibility has been undermined.

“Typical Sun cynicism and contempt for the readers”, said a political journalist.

A media commentator said, "It doesn't matter that much what the Sun says. It's influence is exaggerated. And the polls show that only a tiny proportion of the electorate regard Europe as a key issue."

Leave a comment...

MikeSC

17:59 |
04 Nov 2009
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5

"Is the Sun undermining its credibility?"

Haha, what a question.

Anna

18:04 |
04 Nov 2009
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11

What a laugh - who thinks up these silly questions

Is the Mirror or the Guardian ?

Jane

18:06 |
04 Nov 2009
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12

So if it was still supporting liebour that would be all right then would it?

john

18:06 |
04 Nov 2009
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8

labour/liberals critical of the Sun. How suprising. Yawwnnn.

crm114

19:06 |
04 Nov 2009
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6

The Sun has credibility?

Did they find some behind the skip out back last night?

How much are they paying for it?

Generalfeldmarschall

19:19 |
04 Nov 2009
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5

... and everyone who reads The Sun does so for the depth and incisiveness of its political analysis ...

Rob Atkins

20:28 |
04 Nov 2009
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2

lefties criticising the Sun all of a sudden ? Why would that be I wonder ... ?

BBCman

20:42 |
04 Nov 2009
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1

Don't be too quick to jump to early conclusions, lest you undermine your own credibility PH... read tomorrow's paper.

David

21:35 |
04 Nov 2009
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3

Good to see the Sun appears to be aware of what was in its own paper. That is, the point about ratification.

SallyC

16:16 |
05 Nov 2009
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1

Odd that left leaners think the Sun has undermined its credibilty. Where were they when the Guardian was misprepresenting polling data and calling Boris a racists during the Mayoral election?

The Guardian was recently critisised on one of its own blog chats by a German left pro Europe journalist about its coverage of the Tories new parters in Europe saying it was ridiculous and deliberately distorting.

Anyone with an ounce of historical knowledge knew it was a disgrace but they carried on regardless. The Sun is tabloid. The Guardian is supposed to be a serious paper but it engages in smearing its opponent.

When they start making appropriate commenbts on papers that support them, they will have some credibility. Taking credibility soundings from those who have no credibilty is a little self defeating.

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