[HPforGrownups] The Daily Prophet and RITA SKEETER

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 18475

Scott wrote:

>Is the Daily Prophet the only paper for British Wizards? I find it
>hard to believe that they have abosolutely no competition unless the
>British Wizard population is really small. I know most cities don't
>have but one or two major papers, but an entire country?

I think the Wizard population is really small - they only have one bank as 
well.
>
>Secondly this is the "Daily Prophet" and not the "Magical Quidnunc".
>It suprises me that what seems a reputable news organisation allows
>articles like Rita's to be printed. Wouldn't, shouldn't people
>realise that Rita's stuff is baloney and just not read it?

Rita's articles are a fairly accurate parody of British tabloid journalism.  
Worse things are printed every day :)
>
>I found it rather hard to believe that Mrs. Weasley so completely
>believed the article about Hermione. No wonder Hermione got all that
>horrible mail when someone who knows her well like Mrs. Weasley
>bought it immediately.
>
>Do most people not realise how low Rita is? Or are they just REALLY
>gullible?

I think that was JKR's point about this kind of press - it can influence the 
views of sensible people, especially if they don't apply their common sense. 
  Mrs W denies being influenced, but she is.  Also, she doesn't know 
Hermione *all* that well.
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