Monday, March 10, 2008

CONFUSED

Here's a story in Monday's Express titled 'Briton on cocaine charge' written by DR. (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161291198).

First paragraph:
"A 46-year-old Point Fortin mechanic is expected to appear before a Scarborough Magistrate today charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking."

Is there any link to the headline?
Only in the second paragraph do they decide to clear the air on who the suspect is.

"The suspect, who is also a United Kingdom citizen, was held on Saturday by detectives of the Organised Crime Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (OCNFB)."

So. Common sense didn't pop into anyone's head that concealing the identity of the suspect in the lead paragraph would confuse the reader?
Steups!

The Guardian meantime ran the same story under the heading 'Cocaine found in suitcase', (http://guardian.co.tt/news10.html), and while they did not mention that the suspect is a UK citizen, at least their first paragraph is very clear and concise (no byline):
"A 46-year-old mechanic, who was held allegedly with an estimated $1.5 million worth in pure cocaine in his suitcase, is the latest arrest made by the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau."