CorpComms Magazine

If Nick Davies is looking for further ammunition for his argument on the declining standards in journalism, he need look no further than the sloppy coverage on the death of sixties rocker Dave Dee.

Davies, the author of Flat Earth News, sat on a panel at last year's CorpComms 100 Club where he argued that corporate meddling, stretched journalists and an increasingly well-resourced PR machinery was serving to inhibit the ability of journalists to act as truth tellers.

According to Davies, the pressure to fill more column inches prevents journalists from fact-checking properly. 'Churnalism', which he describes as 'the rapid repackaging of largely unchecked second-hand material,' is rife.

After the death of Dave Dee was announced, a flurry of obituaries hit the web all celebrating the life of the former rocker. As well as putting their unique spin on the achievements of Dee, the papers also put a unique spin on his age.

The Independent said he died aged 66, Reuters and the Telegraph said he died at the slightly older age of 67 while the Beeb and Guardian plumped for 65 years of age.

At one point the BBC's From other news sites tab displayed four different stories from four different broadsheets all citing a different age for Dee. As for his correct age? CorpComms hasn't a clue!

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