Bad News What the Headlines Don't Tell Us

Bad News is a popular guide that helps you make sense of the news wherever it appears – print, broadcast or online. Peppered with examples from around the world, the book turns a serious subject into an enjoyable read. You will learn as you are entertained.

Readers will discover all the tricks and techniques required to work out whether to trust a story based on an anonymous source, when big numbers are really small and when small numbers are really big, why you should ignore what appears behind someone on the TV and much more. You’ll even learn why you should always read stories in the Daily Mail backwards and when correlation is causation.

But readers will also learn how ill-suited the news is to understanding and interpreting the modern world, even when it comes from honest journalists working for reputable outlets. The news has a role, but readers will learn how to ensure they don’t confuse that with understanding the world.

Reviews

“Thoughtful and perceptive, Bad News is required reading for anyone who wants to get to grips with how the journalism we consume – both good and bad – shapes our reality. With his forensic insight and lively intelligence, Mark Pack proves that understanding the news and understanding the world are two very different things.” 

Polly Mackenzie, chief executive of Demos and former Director of Policy to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

“Sharp and insightful – you can trust Mark Pack to tell it as it is.” 

Craig Oliver, former Director of Politics and Communications to Prime Minister David Cameron

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