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Daily Mail Responds to 'Emo' Protests

03rd June 2008 | by Aidan Williamson

Following the protest by over a hundred My Chemical Romance fans on Saturday, British newspaper, the Daily Mail has issued a statement defending their coverage of the subculture.

In it, they claim that they were victims of misinformation and they really are quite down with the kids and love a bit of My Chemical Green Day from time to time.

Star line of the statement goes to: "In common with other newspapers we ran an accurate news story recording the Coroner's remarks and the parents' comments. We also published two other articles, one of which explained the background to the Hannah tragedy in calm and un-sensational language."

Yes, the calm and balanced newspaper deny they ever described the 'evil cult' in sensationalist terms, in fact, the Daily Mail never use such language in the delivery of their news stories. Well, unless you count this story that is. Or perhaps this one, or maybe this piece of news. Oooh, how about this or this. Certainly not this wonderfully balanced instance of reporting either.

The Guardian were on hand to offer coverage of the protest which they described as peaceful and calm, "more of a carnival than a riot". One comment they gleaned from the officers in charge of security went as follows: "It's a waste of time, there's no one here today... Look at them - they're eating their lunch and their mums are off shopping.". We can just see the Daily Mail headlines now... "Cult Parents Abandon Children Amidst Riot"

Here's the statement in full:

The Daily Mail's coverage of the 'Emo' movement has been balanced, restrained and above all, in the public interest. Genuine concerns were raised at the inquest earlier this month on 13 year old emo follower Hannah Bond who had been self-harming and then tragically killed herself.

In common with other newspapers we ran an accurate news story recording the Coroner's remarks and the parents' comments. We also published two other articles, one of which explained the background to the Hannah tragedy in calm and un-sensational language.

The other was a first person opinion piece by a well-known writer, written from the perspective of a mother concerned for her children.

We have also run two prominent page lead letters from an Emo music fan and from a fan of My Chemical Romance defending their point of view. Our music critic admires the music of the band and publicised the band's UK tour last year.

Since this protest was announced a great deal of misinformation has appeared on the internet, much of which confuses what the Daily Mail has actually published with the comments of web site readers and “blogs” over which we have no control and which have stirred up emotions."

We note it has been pointed out by others that all this provides wonderful publicity for Warners and their impending release of My Chemical Romance's latest album.

The Daily Mail is a broad church and is always ready to listen to the views of readers. We do, however, suggest those who want to protest or comment read everything we have published and act on fact not rumour.

Comments

hayley o leary murphy

commented 4 months ago

my chemical romance is a great band, they are themselves and dont go around like most singers and bands giving away their dignity.

they have a strong relationship with their music and put their hearts and souls into their music even the way gerard sings the songs ,you can hear him and feel what he is feeling unlike singers like rhianna or britany they use the same beat and words because most singers nowadays follow the crowd but MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE STANDS OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE UNIQUE AND INDIVIDUAL.

THEIR MUSIC MEANS ALOT TO PEOPLE LIKE ME.

i was tragic about the 13 year olds death but that doesnt mean just because she listened to them isnt the cause of her death or why she self harmed herself.

people dont do that because of the music they listen to ,they do it because they are troubled and cant talk about and feel like wen they try to speak they cant.if her parents talked to her and LISTENED not just hear wat she says then maybe that could have made a difference.EMOS ,GRUNGERS,GOTHS ARE UNIQUE THEY DONT FOLLOW THE CROWD IN STEAD THEY ARE INDIVIDULS AND THEMSELVES THEY STAND OUT AND ARE FREE PEOPLE !!!!

but most people now judge them hardly and unfairly JUST BECAUSE WE WEAR BLACK AND APPRICEATE DIFFERNT MUSIC DOESNT MEAN WE ARE ANY DIFFERENT BUT MOST PEOPLE DONT LISTEN AND CANT ACCEPT US WITH CAN LEAD TO SUICIDE BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE US ARE LEAD TO BELIEVE WHAT PEOPLE SAY IS TRUE BECAUSE THEY ARE GIVEN NO INCOURAGEMENT FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR FAMILIES THINK THEY ARE OUTCASTS BECAUSE WE CHOOSE TO BE INDIVIDUAL AND FREE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

DONT ANYONE DARE BLAME MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE

DONT EVEN TRY TO BLAME THEM

THEY ARE THE BAND THAT HAS STOOD OUT TO ME BECAUSE OF THEIR INDIVIDUALITY AND THE WAY YOU CAN FEEL WHAT THEIR FEELING WEN THEY SING WITH IS VERY RARE NOWADAYS IN MUSIC

SO DONT YOU DARE DONT THINK OR EVEN TRY TO BLAME THEM

*****PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND*****

FROM HAYLEY O LEARY MURPHY

AGED :14

COUNTRY:IRELAND

""MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE""

John

commented 4 months ago

look this is a bunch of shit i dont get it i am emo and i love My Chemical Romance i have cut myself before but not because of MCR i was upset and people who dont like the Emo culture or Mcr need to die we are just like everyone else but noone understands that