Cutting Edge – Tabloid TV Or Serious Journalism?

Isn’t it ironic? There are some journalists who no doubt would seek to distance themselves from the tabloid media and not necessarily because they think themselves better than that but more likely because they have chosen not to operate in the tabloid market. Equally there are members of my own profession, myself included, who would prefer not to be associated with the content of programmes like Channel 4's Cutting Edge recent Scams, Claims And Compensation Games.

It is disappointing that a programme which claims to be Channel 4’s “flagship” documentary series would show a programme which was only marginally less sensationalist than the satellite television claims farmers who clearly formed one of its targets. Even the title sets the tone! Then again from the programme makers viewpoint what makes good viewing – a Claimant solicitor who keeps his head down, working hard for his clients and to build a good reputation, or one who is probably all those things but is also prepared to go on camera rocking on a wobbly paving slab and confessing to a fondness for Star Trek.

To add “balance” to the show (it was, after all, entertainment) Cutting Edge managed to find a crusading ex-policeman who, if the editing was an accurate portrayal of his views, believes that Claimants should think about the public purse not their legal rights. It was not made clear at what point he, in his role as moral arbiter on these issues, would deem an injury sufficiently bad to be worthy of a claim – a broken hip perhaps, or smashed teeth, or a head injury? I mention the editing because in fairness to him he did seem to know the law, albeit that Channel 4 did not give him much chance to get this across.

The many references to being “drawn into the murky world of no win no fee” suggested that entering into such an arrangement with a reputable, professional law firm is seen by many as a seedy act, no more ethical than selling your soul to the devil! In fact we can thank the Labour government for conditional fee agreements (more commonly referred to as “no win no fee” agreements in the media) which they brought in to replace Legal Aid for injury claims, as a way for the average person to obtain access to justice and legal representation which they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Ultimately what people must keep in mind when considering the purpose of personal injury claims, which did not come across at all in the program, is that the claim is brought with the intention of restoring the victim to the position that they would have been but for the accident. Therefore a claim is not some kind of windfall, licence to print money or drain on the public purse as implied in the show. 

There are reputable Claimant Injury / Disease Lawyers just like there are reputable estate agents, builders, plastic surgeons and even reputable journalists. As for Cutting Edge’s documentary – you decide whether or not it was balanced and serious journalism or whether it was aimed at a different audience.

For further information about personal injury or accident claims contact Neille Ryan on 01227 763939.