John Prescott and the press

 

 

MSN.com’s report

 

In the wake of John Prescott announcing that he has struggled for 20 years with Bulimia, I wanted to examine how the story has been seized by the press, and how John Prescott’s reputation is maintained.

 

In April 2008, MSN.com gave a very balanced and un-biased account of Prescott’s condition, which I personally believe is admirable given the seriousness of the condition and also taking into acount Mr.Prescott’s past decisions (in government) and how they have been percieved by the press.  

 

 

The Author Ambika Behal wrote in the above: “Prescott fell into the bulimic cycle by devouring junk food and then making himself ill. His typical comfort foods included Marks & Spencer’s trifles, digestive biscuits and fish and chips. 

 

Behal continued: “He [Prescott] confessed that he hoarded snacks in his office and stuffed himself when no one was around. The routine made its way into his home as well. Prescott never had seconds when his wife, Pauline, offered, but then he would raid the refrigerator and pantry when she was out of sight.”

 

The article was particularly positive and left Prescott in a good light, and I think that this article will win him newfound popularity where previously it has been lacking. This piece of work “paints the picture” of this public figure as a hero, and perhaps there is weight here to the argument that the British press are often fickle, and will change their tune easily.

 

By this I mean that, where previously all the papers have criticised the former MP for his policies and his decisions now they will champion him for his bravery. Though of course, for his choice to admit his condition, in this instance he deserves kudos.

 

The writer of the article also needs to be commended for the detail used to describe the symptoms of the condition and giving sufficient links so that a reader who maybe a  sufferer can get help and support.

 

This is something that sets it apart from other articles dealing with this topic. However this could be due to the more colloquial tone that MSN.com adopts which will relax the reader.

 

A look at The Independent’s coverage

 

The Independent similarly keeps a positive view of Prescott’s confession, giving a balance of positive and negative that gives the overall tone of the article a “triumph over tragedy” feel, first we have the tragic element:

 

“Other people might have taken to drink, said Mr Prescott. But he would “scoff” a whole packet of digestives. “I could sup a whole tin of Carnation Condensed Milk just for the taste… Marks and Spencer’s trifles… I can eat them forever. Whenever I go to Mr Chu’s in Hull, my favourite Chinese restaurant… I could eat my way through the entire menu.”

 

And then the triumph element comes into play at the conclusion of the story, aimed at inspiring both sympathy and emotion within the reader:

 

“Eating disorder experts praised Mr Prescott’s bravery. A consultant psychiatrist, Dr Ty Glover, said Mr Prescott’s confession would help other men with eating disorders. “It’s hard enough for a young girl to confess to, but for a high-profile male politician approaching 70, it’s especially impressive,” he said.

 

In this instance, the paper will know that readers will be used to seeing Prescott in a political role, and portrayed in a negative light. This story seems to be aimed at changing people’s opinions of the subject, rather than focussing on the condition like the first article.

 

The Guardian coverage

 

The Guardian takes an interesting view on the matter, choosing to look at the affects of the condition on men, rather than the pre-conception that it only affects girls and women. This idea is displayed here as Dr Glover, a specialist with Affinity Healthcare, at Cheadle Royal Hospital in Cheshire, states:

 

“It’s believed that one in 10 bulimia sufferers are men but I have never in all my years as a consultant specialising in eating disorders come across a man this old suffering from bulimia.”

 

Glover continues: “It seriously makes me think that maybe we’re completely missing a whole audience of middle-aged men who are too scared to admit they have a problem. While girls and young women aged 12 to 20 account for 80% of new cases of eating disorders, boys and men are also affected, eating disorder support charity Beat said”.

 

The article carries on adding to the focus: “Susan Ringwood, the chief executive of Beat, said: “It is probably under-diagnosed – even a doctor doesn’t necessarily think it can affect a boy or a man.”

 

Obviously The Guardian have realised the need to address an issue that so far seems to have remained uncovered, or at least has been ignored by the British press. I think this article has the most appropriate focus, instead of just concentrating on Prescott, the paper chooses to pull focus and concentrate on how the condition could be affecting men as well as women.

 

I think that although the first article (MSN) gives valuable information about Bulimia, and the second, Independant article is more personal, and looks at Prescott’s character, the Guardian article is far more likely to make the reader react because the tone is more factual and so arguably more urgent.

 

As a result, I believe after reading that a parent or wife will be more willing (and aware) when it comes to helping their child or partner.