Reputability of the media
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UK News Sites
The Guardian is generally progressive, tech-savvy, and not originally from London. Home to Marina Hyde, Ben Goldacre's Bad Science column, and Charlie Brooker.The Observer is basically the Sunday Guardian, but with a occasional worrying line in sensationalism. / 1 / 2 When people say "The Grauniad" they refer to the paper's erstwhile reputation for typos, which probably has its roots in geography rather than incompetence. Some readers feel that it has moved away from its traditional left-wing roots of late, and The Observer in particular is criticised for seeming to cater only to Islington upper-middle-classes.
The Times is the traditional paper of record, but its reputation has suffered somewhat since its acquisition by Rupert Murdoch's News International. Mostly right of the middle, it has supported Labour in recent times, but perhaps only because it was politically expedient.
The Telegraph is more staunchly conservative, the Times' traditional competitor, and some people still like to make fun of its unfortunately timed premature obituaries. It has a reputation for strong sports coverage and many younger readers will use this as their 'excuse' for reading what is often seen as an old person's paper.
The Independent is known for its unusual front pages, for being openly critical of the UK/US War on Terror policies and for opposing the Iraq War. It is the least popular of the UK dailies.
The Mirror is a traditionally left-of-centre 'red top' ie. aimed at the working class. Unlike its' red top brethren, the Star and the Sun, it has a reputation for containing actual news.
The Sun is thought of as a rag in the UK. Right-wing, very simple language, invented the Page 3 Girl (topless model), printer of lies such as the Hillsborough coverage. Oddly, they are one of the few national papers to employ a Muslim staffer. The Sunday analogues of The Sun are The People and The News of the World (or News of the Screws).
The Daily Mail/Daily Express are middle-market tabloids, aimed at the petit bourgeoise or 'Little Englanders'. Both are very right wing. The Express is known for their dislike of immigrants and obsessions with Madeleine McCann and Diana. The Mail is known for their dislike of immigrants, 'lefties', and gays. The Mail is also said by some to be rather misogynistic (particularly critical of the figures of celebrities, working mothers, and the large) yet has a lot of female readers. The comments are often rather vile indeed.
So as not to belabour the point, suffice to say that the News of the World resorts to tapping celebrities' phones to get its news, and that the Express recently called out survivors of a 1996 school shooting for such shameful behaviours as talking about alcohol or sex at an adolescent age.
Although in fairness it must be said that the News of the World is occasionally interesting if you like sex scandals or outlandish stories, and that The Sun sometimes has amusing headlines. But those are pretty much their only redeeming qualities.
Taken mostly from goodnewsfortheinsane's comment on UK media
