Rita - Luna and the Qubbler

[amis917]

No: HPFGUIDX 169568

> bboyminn:
> >>>Let's be clear there is a big difference between what
> Rita and the Prophet do and what Luna's father and the
> Quibbler do. The Prophet prints flat out lies and
> deception for profit or for convenient political ends.
> What the Quibbler prints is perceived truth or presumed
> truth. In other words, Luna and her father really 
> believe all that crap is true. Rita on the other hand
> knows full well that she is printing bullocks, but as
> long as it is commercially viable and politically
> advantageous, who cares?<<<
> 
> Marion:
> Yes, but the point I think sistermagpie was making is that if Rita 
had printed pure bollocks, and insulting, damaging and vicious 
bollocks at that, about, say, the Malfoys, then Harry and co would've 
loved Rita Skeeter. Rita would be seen as an ally and a friend and 
the fact that she prints lies for profit and political ends would not 
matter to Harry and Hermione in the slightest.
> Which brings this discussion back to where we started: in the 
Potterverse, ethics are fluid and selfserving; it's ok if you do it, 
but detestable if 'the other', 'the enemy' does it.


Amis917 now:
I think another point to this argument is everyone else's perception 
of the publications. I think most people seem to take The Quibbler 
with a grain of salt. People, however, take The Daily Profit as 
publishing facts of 100% truth.  

We, as readers, can now understand that the Profit doesn't always 
print truth. They are being guided by what the Ministry wants that 
truth to be. I think JKR is making a point here, about not believing 
everything you read. Even those sources that you think 
are "ethically" driven to print only factual information. Take 
Lockhart as another example.

I do think this argument is slightly different than the selfserving 
eithis discussion, but it may be related. One thing I have enjoyed in 
this argument (as tired as I am reading about Marietta) is the 
questioning of why people made the choices they make. I guess that's 
the whole idea. JKR has said as much "It's the choices, Harry....

Amis917