British tabloids and patriotism don't mix

Copies of The Sun and Daily Mail (Image: BBC)

I have a bone to pick with The Sun and Daily Mail newspapers. Okay, I have a bone to pick with them often. I'd like to think I'm not the only one who face palms when reading some of their bizarre takes on various news stories. Some of the drivel they come up with boggles my mind.

Being the overly analytical earthling I am, I have come to a key conclusion as to why - on a personal level - these newspapers annoy me so much. Professionally, their reporters are brilliant and have produced great features for people and organisations I represent. But editorially, I've observed how unashamedly unpatriotic both titles truly are.

A comment like that may be sneered at by the bosses of the papers I mentioned. They pride themselves to be 'the voice of the people' - and they may be right, to an extent. Both titles are the top two when it comes to daily readership. The Daily Mail website (known as Mail Online to most of us) is among the most read news websites in the world. When it comes to general elections, 'It was The Sun wot won it', or so it is said. Their influences are significant.

That said, their brainwashing tactics is applied with deep makeup, hiding the fact they're tragically against the United Kingdom. Neither paper really wants Britain to succeed. Not really. Of course, if you believe the UK leaving the European Union is patriotic, then great. I happen to disagree, yet I'd rather not delve into another European debate.

Patriotism is defined differently, depending on an individual's interpretation. One dictionary definition is 'devoted love, support, and defence of one's country' - another, 'national loyalty'. It's hard to disagree. And I can confidently declare that most of us are proud of our blood, identity and heritage, regardless of its dark past.

Part of patriotism is embraced by the sense of community - what brings us, as a strong unit, together. Sport does that wonderfully. I'd never seen Britain as joyous and optimistic as I did when London 2012 Olympics took place. Other sporting occasions have that power too - the Fifa football World Cup is another prime example. Another? How about the Ashes? Hyped as one of the biggest cricket battles, it returns this winter as England face Australia down under. I do love the Ashes - its competitiveness, history, rivalry and the fact it brings out the fiery and passionate emotions out of the players involved. It's a truly fantastic spectacle. I remember the 2005 series the best.

Ben Stokes (Image: Rediff.com)

Yet, the Ashes build-up has been overshadowed. England's vice-captain Ben Stokes is omitted from the squad - and won't be involved with the international team until further notice. The reason is both apparent and, as I write this, speculative, at the same time. Stokes, along with Alex Hales, were seen on camera part of a brawl after a reportedly boozy night. If you see the video, you see punches flying. The police later got involved with Stokes and Hales penalised. The scenes were unsettling to say the least.

As you can imagine, The Sun had an absolute field day. The video has its name written all over it. They love and thrive on scandals, and the Daily Mail love to stir the pot even further. Frozen footage of this 'fight' was splashed on their front pages for days, portraying Stokes in particular as a monster. Ever since, The Sun has piled on countless claims about Stokes - including his 'victim' being an 'Afghanistan hero' and the fact he could lose all his key multi-million pound sponsorship deals. Even model Katie Price has provided her exclusive front page thoughts on Stokes who was filmed reportedly making fun of her son. This was timed to perfection as far as the paper was concerned, even if the video was made months previously.

The ECB, England (and Wales) Cricket Board took the 'fight' coverage very seriously - as any honourable organisation would. They have their reputation to protect. After a short period of time, it was announced Stokes and Hales won't fly to Australia to represent their country doing what they love. The Sun has succeeded and their words have spread to the minds of many critics who called for the cricketers' heads.

In a straightforward scenario, I'd agree with the ECB's decision and praise the paper's investigative skills, without hesitation. Upon close inspection to this event, I cannot bring myself in doing that so easily. The video was put up for clickbait purposes, aimed to send shockwaves to the cricketing world, as well as continuing the finger pointing culture and narrative Britain has endured for too long - without putting any context to the situation. It is now reported that Stokes and Hales attacked because they were defending a same sex couple who were about to be seriously harmed. If this was true, does that not change the complexion of this story?

One of several recent front page splashes on Stokes

It is worth noting here that I don't support violence of any kind. Stokes and Hales may have wanted to handle themselves - as individuals of influence - differently. That said, if the story they're centred in was researched with a back story and was balanced, nobody involved would be in a sticky wicket they find themselves in.

As a consequence to the dramatic week for cricket, England's chances of retaining the Ashes is now very slim. We were singing the praises of Stokes just weeks ago with former stars claiming he's 'the best player in the world'. England could have done with that influence. Of course, there's a chance they'll return to the UK from Australia victorious without Stokes. Yet, recent events will bound to be a major distraction for the players flying down under.

Wouldn't it be nice for The Sun and Daily Mail to write about England winning the Ashes again? That'd lift the nation's spirits for sure. Their recent scoops have potentially ruined that opportunity. Actually, while they're at it, why not write more stories, about the 'monster' Stokes is and state England's potential sudden demise was his fault - regardless of what really happened on the night of that 'brawl'? Is Stokes innocent, no? Did he deserve to be kicked out of the England squad 'until further notice' as a justifiable punishment? The jury is still out on that one.

It isn't just Stokes though. Elsewhere in sport, these tabloids write off England's football chances before they kick a ball, instead of calling the nation to come together harmoniously and support their team, disregarding their recent history in major competitions. Positivity is key to success, isn't it? It won't surprise me if they have any 'dirty' laundry on sporting heroes like Sir Mo Farah, Nicola Adams and Sir Andy Murray, even if they're completely innocent.

It isn't just sport either. The Sun and Daily Mail go hand-in-hand in spreading judgement towards large chunks of society. I seriously don't mind their devotion to the Conservative Party, or their public endorsement towards UK leaving the EU. However, their articulation lets them down. Their editorial arguments is approached by denouncing any conflicting views, as if those who don't agree with them aren't deserving of a respectful voice. Their claim to be 'the voice of the people' is near impossible when they dismiss the over 15 million as 'Remoaners' in a sarcastic tone. Neither is it patriotic to dismiss the 12.88 million Britons who voted for Labour as Corbynista socialist luvvies. In addition, they risk isolating new audiences by dismissing hundreds of thousands of economic migrants as benefit scroungers who are taking British people's jobs.

These large numbers of people I mentioned hold patriotic British values too. We all want the best for the country we reside in. Yes, we all hold different visions of the future. What we all have in common however, is that we all want decent homes and money resting in our accounts. Most of us want our sport teams to do well too. So why jeopardise people's chances and closing doors to new ideas? All it takes is a little tact and diplomacy, and both papers can bring the nation together to wonderful effect. It certainly wouldn't go amiss.