Rip-off shame

Newcomers to the industry might be mildly appalled at how prevalent ripping off press releases and sticking a staffer's byline on them is. Here's an example from today's Telegraph:

Town halls have opened a new front in the war on the mini-motorbike craze that they say is sweeping the country. Figures show that there has been a 20-fold increase in the number of mini-motorbikes since 2001, with 144,000 now in circulation.

That was by-lined "Sarah Womack, Social Affairs Correspondent". This on the other hand came straight from the Local Government Association press office:

Town halls have opened a new front in the war on the mini-motorbike menace that is sweeping the country.

New figures show that there has been a twenty-fold increase in the number of mini-motorbikes since 2001, with 144,000 now in circulation.

See the similarities? The subsequent paras go on in the same way.

Tireless Telegraph reporter Sarah "Scoop" Womack:

Although it is illegal to ride the bikes on public land, the law is frequently flouted. There have been four deaths attributed to the use of mini-bikes, which can reach speeds of nearly 40 mph.

The bikes are very noisy and often break acceptable levels.

Although it is illegal to ride these bikes on public land, the law is frequently flouted. There have already been four deaths attributed to the use of mini-bikes, which can reach speeds of nearly 40 mph. The bikes are also very noisy and in many cases break acceptable noise levels.

It's tedious to continue. But the entirety of Womack's 530 word article is lifted, for the most part verbatim, from the press release.

It gives me no pleasure to report this. Final score: PRs 530, hacks nil.

Les