Sad but true.

Well written with evidence to support the points made and good narration. I doubt I will ever read a newspaper again!

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Essential, Foreshadowing

From hundreds of revelations of corruption and distortion in the British press that will make your eyes water and toes curl and scream in your head ‘how can this keep being allowed to happen?’ to the careful and thought out analysis of the processes that have lead us to ‘churnalism’ Davies gives a complete overview of news and media and it’s evolution in the early part of the 21st century.

Reading it now (2018) it’s warning have come painfully into realisation. Its concerns of the behind the scenes action of PR groups are now open facts that people expect and anticipate. The degrading of top news bulletin items to celebrity and tat seem tame compared to the industry of ‘fame’ that exists today and has become so much the norm in the west that it is no longer challenged as a distortion of the precedent of current events.

Crossley’s delivery is clear and concise. He affects just the right level of emotional investment into facts and information that make you want to spit in disgust, whilst he maintains a steady pace that acknowledges the weight of the words but never puts the character of the narrator over the voice of the author. You are never in doubt of the message of the book being skewered by the readers tone and are guided through what could an incredibly dense read by his air of professionalism and soft ‘received pronunciation’ that finds the natural highs and lows of the text. Would play well in any car, living room, pair of headphones, office, presentation or bedroom.

A fantastic piece for anyone who wants a full seven course meal of truth and journalism, where many modern books either stumble over too many facts and figures or while away pages on a contrived narrative, both usually in less that half the time of what ‘Flat Earth News’ invests, here there is the sublimest of journalistic balance. The Story and The Facts. Precisely what the author asks for.

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2 people found this helpful

Misleading title was not what I expected

very in depth with information about how corrupt our mainstream media is, although I believe after years of research alot of this information is only half truths.

if you think news is real then please read this book very very insightful.

no news is good news so turn it off!

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Must read book!

Superbly narrated, this is a highly engaging, shocking and worrying expose of our modern media. Well researched and with broad reach Nick Davies leaves no stone unturned. I am very keen to read his other books - Hack Attack next!

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1 person found this helpful

Essentiel reading

The book provides an excellent breakdown of the current failings of the press in the Western world. There is no conspiracy, it's all about the pressure of money.

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I'm Chris Morris, and the earth is flat

The content itself is impressive, but the narrator sounds like Chris Morris in "On the Hour" which makes it hard to take the book seriously in places. Probably better to read the book.

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What we wish the Media really report

Easy to listen to and profoundly disturbing. I am so glad that I listened to this book although I now have to keep my mouth shut when my media educated friends quote from what they have heard and read through the 'normal channels'.

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Was a chore to get through

Narration was good but just seemed to go on and on. Churnalism churnalism churnalism...

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Eye Opening

Considering that this book is now 13 years old and pre-Snowdon it still isn't out of date. There's plenty to learn even if you think you've got a fair idea of how the Press works.
It would benefit from Nick Davies writing a second volume. I can only imagine that the situation is no better now and probably a lot worse because of new internet technologies.
If you're at all interested in how the world works this book should be part of your library. It's well constructed and while you learn the first time round it then becomes a reference to keep going back to.
The audiobook is well read and clear and is easily heard over engine noise so perfect for a long journey or two.

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Halfway to greatness

First half of the book is great, thou incredibly pessimistic look at the commercialised news machine. The first half is a great listen.
Later in the book the author goes through examples of cases in a tedious accuracy, which while interesting is at the same time incredibly boring to listen to.

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4 people found this helpful