HEY LOOK WHO'S MILKING THE HERALD NOW!

Here's another example of advertising spurred journalism. Remember we told you told to look out for the dicey Cortalim dateline in the Herald? Here's another example of how petty advertising interests, mar journalistic sanctity. And how rot at the top of an organisation, emboldens individuals in the same workplace into doing stuff, they otherwise may not have indulged in.
We have reproduced scanned images of a king sized ad and a news report filed by Alvarro Colaco, Herald's Cortalim correspondent. What has been filed by Mr Colaco here is called a 'plug' in media parlance. A mere look at the news report is enough arrive at this conclusion. Colaco's report is about a certain V P K Urban Co-operative credit society and a lot of hogwash about the good things that Alvarro's pet minister from Cortalim, Mauvin Godhino had to say about the organisation.
But what makes this simple enough plug take on a controversial sheen is the presence of this huge ad which was released by the V P K Urban co-operative credit society in the Herald simultaneously. See the small oblong black circle we've marked at the bottom of the ad... The circle we've marked encircles the words 'DIGITAL ADVTG'...
Now these two words should clear the mystery for you folk.
DIGITAL ADVERTISING is a firm is run by Joel Afonso (or probably 'run' by his wife... much in the same way Rabri 'ran' Bihar for Laloo), who's the deputy news editor in the Herald. A pretty senior guy in the hierarchy.
The mofussil advertising scene is not unlike the big-boy advertising sort. The guy who can give you the best value (in terms of positioning and a 'write-up' in the newspaper to go along with the ad) for your money usually gets the ad.
The question we are going to ask here is as deputy news editor, has Joel used his clout to push the plug through Alvarro to ensure that he gets the ad for his firm DIGITAL ADVTG? Who has cleared Alvarro's plug?
This is not the first time, that Herald's pages have been used as a bucket to harvest the bread crumbs. But you really cannot much expect much from a news organisation which has had no qualms in selling editorials for money in the recent past...
Guys, if you are convinced with what we’ve written out here, do call these guys in the Herald and speak your mind to them. At least place your protest on record. Let these guys know that they are being watched. Or you could also call them, if you want to listen to their side of the story... here are some useful numbers...
Raul Fernandes: Owner and editor-in-chief 09822100188
Robin Abreu: Editor Herald 09822122325 and 0832-2433373 (direct line)
Herald board numbers: 0832-2224202/2228083/