Let’s face it, political stories usually don’t provide the most visually friendly journalism. But, like everything in the Trump era, that, too, has changed as two recent major political stories show us: first, the declarations of ex FBI chief, James Comey about his meetings with President Trump, and then, the news of Trump pulling the US out of the Paris Accord on climate control.
When fired FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee in Washington last week, not only was the event watched by millions, with the audience and interest usually reserved for a Superbowl sports mega event, newspapers around the globe took all that Comey said and ran with it—starting with The New York Times and the digital presentation and analysis of Comey’s pre-hearing comments, released to the press early.
The Times’ linear way of telling the story incorporated reporters’ analysis of various parts of the Comey report. The actual text from Comey was highlighted in yellow, with a comment about that particular passage placed to the right, as we see here:
Meanwhile, The Washington Post opted for the visual “card” system on Twitter that the newspaper had made popular during the presidential debates of 2016
Comey on the front pages of European newspapers
The Comey story dominated the front pages of European newspapers as well. First, we see Spain’s El Pais with a teaser to a double page spread, right on Page One. Teaser head reads: Comey declares that Trump fired him for investigating Russian matter.
The inside double page spread in El Pais includes a story devoted to how the Comey appearance, which was broadcast by television, became as popular as a major sports events.
Spain’s El Mundo also carried a teaser to a double page spread on Page One. Teaser head reads: Ex FBI director calls Trump a liar
The international edition of The New York Times carried a Nicholas Kristof opinion column on its Page One: For Comey, discomfort and a despot.
Italy’s Corriere Della Sera displayed the Comey story on its navigation balcony at the top of its Page One. The teaser headline reads: Comey: you smell Trump’s lies
In Switzerland, the French-language daily, Le Temps, devoted a full page inside to the Comey testimony, headlined: The great unpacking of James Comey.
Tomorrow: how some US newspapers displayed the Comey news on their front pages.
Trump pulls US out of Paris Accord
A few days ago, I was flying from Zurich to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a few days of rest, and, after seeing your note inviting me to write about Trump’s pulling out of the Paris accord on climate change, it was purely coincidental that the French-language newspaper , Le Temps, that I got on board my flight had a front page story and fabulous illustration about the story, and, then, on the inside a double page with images of front pages from around the globe covering the Trump story.
You don’t have to understand French to get the idea with a four-column illustration of Trump speeding off in a car with an America First license tag, spewing black fumes into the faces of a group of stunned citizens.
The headline reads: Trump gives his back to the planet!
A cartoon on the editorial page shows Trump in a golf cart driving off into the water, while what could be German Chancellor Angela Markel, tells France’s Emmanuel Macron, “Well, we’re on our own,” to whcih Macron replies, “Oui”.
A double page spread inside shows images of newspapers from around the world and their treatment of the story. For Le Temps, the double page was a way of asking six questions and covering how various countries are reacting to the Trump decision, as well as what next?
And what if the USA creates more pollution?
China, a green future?
What will Switzerland do?
What will the climate be for tomorrow?
Will France will lead the way pro-climate?
Is it a good decision for the economy?
Here are close ups of some of those front pages from newspapers from around the world.
And a wonderful cover illustration from Germany’s Spiegel.
Front pages we like
Interesting front page treatment from The New European –the anti-Brexit newspaper—in response to UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s poor showing in the election she had called to fortify her position—something that backfired for her and her party.
Speaking Engagements Coming Up
SIPConnect 2017, to be held in Miami June 21-23, is a program of the Inter American Press Association, IAPA, or SIP (Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa). The venue will be the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel.
Details:
Join us at the SIPConnect Hemispheric Conference 2017. Organized by the IAPA, SIPConnect is a gathering of media and digital businesses to encourage more audiences and higher revenues. It’s a laboratory for new ideas and successful experiences for the digital transformation. As in the 2016 successful meeting that was attended by media from the US, Latin America and the Caribbean, experts in digital businesses and representatives of innovative companies will participate in this event.
For more information: http://www.sipiapa.org/notas/1211078-llamado-sipconnect-2017