http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wbur/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=588790
Boston Paper Heralds JetBlue Arrival, Draws Criticism
Bob Oakes
Left: the true Wednesday edition of the Boston Herald. Right: JetBlue advertising "mock frontpage."
*BOSTON, MA (2004-01-09) On Wednesday, the Boston Herald published a special edition of its paper, using its standard typeface, headline style and layout, but carrying a very different message than its regular edition.
"The Herald produced a mock front page to commemorate JetBlue's launch into the Boston market," said Gwen Gage, vice president of promotion at the Boston Herald. In an interview with WBUR yesterday, she said the paper gave out 20,000 copies for free, mainly to commuters in downtown Boston on Wednesday.
Everything on this front page is related to the start of JetBlue flights out of Logan: the main headline reads, "JetBlue Arrives, Promises a Free TV to All Who Fly." The weather box lists forecasts -- not for Boston, but for all JetBlue's destinations out of Boston. And, above the Boston Herald masthead, there's a small headline saying "Flight Attendant Gives Passenger Entire Can of Soda." However, there was no disclaimer: nothing to say that this was a "special supplement" or advertisement. Gage said it was not a "special supplement," it was a "mock" front page.
To talk about the this move by the Herald, and what it might mean for credibility of the paper, WBUR speaks with Bob Zelnick, chair of the Journalism Department at Boston University.
© Copyright 2004, WBUR
Boston Paper Heralds JetBlue Arrival, Draws Criticism
Bob Oakes
Left: the true Wednesday edition of the Boston Herald. Right: JetBlue advertising "mock frontpage."
*BOSTON, MA (2004-01-09) On Wednesday, the Boston Herald published a special edition of its paper, using its standard typeface, headline style and layout, but carrying a very different message than its regular edition.
"The Herald produced a mock front page to commemorate JetBlue's launch into the Boston market," said Gwen Gage, vice president of promotion at the Boston Herald. In an interview with WBUR yesterday, she said the paper gave out 20,000 copies for free, mainly to commuters in downtown Boston on Wednesday.
Everything on this front page is related to the start of JetBlue flights out of Logan: the main headline reads, "JetBlue Arrives, Promises a Free TV to All Who Fly." The weather box lists forecasts -- not for Boston, but for all JetBlue's destinations out of Boston. And, above the Boston Herald masthead, there's a small headline saying "Flight Attendant Gives Passenger Entire Can of Soda." However, there was no disclaimer: nothing to say that this was a "special supplement" or advertisement. Gage said it was not a "special supplement," it was a "mock" front page.
To talk about the this move by the Herald, and what it might mean for credibility of the paper, WBUR speaks with Bob Zelnick, chair of the Journalism Department at Boston University.
© Copyright 2004, WBUR
