Worst juxtaposition of the week award goes to

... the Straits Times in Singapore. Although I do sometimes wonder if mischief is at play. Other dodgy relationships can be found here.
HT Jasper A. LimJasper A. Lim

Editor's dilemma ... over where to put the pic

Here's an interesting juxtaposition on Hold The Front page. Essex Chronicle editor Alan Geere's dilemma on how to approach the story about a teacher having a sex change ... alongside a picture of two London journalists running for charity - in drag. Deliberate? surely not. 

Thanks to Lincolnshire Echo editor Steve Fletcher for flagging this one up.

Be careful of dodgy relationships

There have been a few embarrassing juxtapositions doing the rounds this week, including the three above. The 'Man plunges to his death front' is at least six years old. I remember using it during design courses to illustrate the point that anyone laying out a page should always see the adverts first. Incidentally, I am told by my Aussie mates that the spelling of Pedophile on the Sunshine Coast daily is correct. New one on me. There is no doubt that the dodgy juxtaposition of headlines and pictures is rarely libellous and can cause amusement and a flurry of attention. But sometimes an inappropriate relationship can also be crass, in bad taste and occasionally hurtful. At best it will have people laughing at your paper, not a good thing. Subs, layout artists and advertising staff need to be wary of them. Here are a few more. Be warned.

Footnote: Since I posted these @SimonNRicketts has pointed out that the Obama page from the Washington Post is probably a spoof. Here's the evidence. @foodepedia asks if we would change an advert or story. It's a fine line. I haven't changed copy or the wording of an advert but I have moved stories and ads so they don't sit next to each other. I have even thrown and advert out of the paper ... and been thanked by the advertiser for saving him from embarrassment. 
 

Make mine an Oxford Mail ....

Here's a nice one to end the week on. Juxtaposition in newspapers is a regular occurrence but I don't think I have seen seen two bills causing a problem before. The Abingdon Herald wins on moral grounds of course - but I know which one would make me buy the paper. Speaking of which ...

Couple of dodgy headlines from Ireland

Here's a couple of contributions from over the Irish Sea to kick us off today. First, Robert Cullen, editor of the Sligo Weekender, ponders the wisdom of this headline. He writes: "Leaving aside the 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone' here's a headline from the most recent Sunday Business Post." Meanwhile the excellent Fleet Street Blues draws attention to yet another dodgy juxtaposition. Subbing basics. I will be covering all the potential editing perils and much more in a subbing masterclass for Press Association Training from June 7-10. If anyone feels they would benefit from learning a full range of subbing skills, from basic text-editing to page design, the details are here.

Design Clinic - juxtaposition

Make sure you always see the adverts. Yes, I know ad managers and others will say it is impossible but it isn't. I have dozens of examples ... many of which are embarrassing and some are downright insulting.