Media review 2014: Headlines of the year

Party off, Garth

Metro Herald, July 4th. After Dublin City Council blocks two of his Croke Park gigs, Garth Brooks starts issuing ultimatums: The greatness of this headline is that readers get the message even if they don't get the movie reference.

They tried to find my pay at Rehab, I said No No No

The Irish Sun, January 23rd. Headline writers at the tabloid channel Rehab singer Amy Winehouse after then chief executive Angela Kerins declines to say how much she is paid by the charity organisation.

Town not ready for sushi

Sevenoaks Chronicle board, May 29th. The headline referring to a Sevenoaks, Kent sushi restaurant that changed into a Mexican went viral. The owner later told the newspaper that in his opinion the town probably was ready for sushi.

Chewy Luis and the blues

The Huffington Post, June 25th. Sports writers feasted upon the news that Uruguay's Luis Suarez had ended his World Cup by taking a bite of defender Giorgio Chiellini of Italy (who play in blue).

Man bites dog

South Wales Argus, June 14th. Journalism students are taught that "dog bites man" isn't news, but the reverse is certainly a story. After a "30-year wait", the Argus editor took his chance to splash on the headline for real.

North Korea lands first ever man on the sun, confirms Central News Agency

Waterford Whispers News, January 21st. The story was taken at face value by various media outlets as an real example of North Korean propaganda. It was, in fact, an item satirising the North Korean propaganda machine.

Champagne-sipping gamblers say Ireland’s economy is back

Bloomberg News, August 5th. Well, they would say that wouldn't they?