As journalists we know headlines often serve as both hook and harpoon, but when it comes to being outright lying or intentionally misleading, it’s incumbent on us to flag it in the mainstream media when it comes to Celtic. The recent portrayal of Alexandro Bernabei’s loan move to South America by the Daily Record stands out as a stark example of misleading narrative construction.
The headline in question – ‘Alexandro Bernabei couldn’t WAIT to leave Celtic as he targets Brazilian revival to show Rodgers what he’s missing’ – paints a picture of a player eager to turn his back on, perhaps with a chip on his shoulder aimed at showing up the team’s management, specifically Brendan Rodgers.
However, a closer examination of Bernabei’s actual comments reveals a narrative far removed from the sensationalist headline. The player expressed a genuine enthusiasm for returning to South American football, highlighting the emotional pull of playing for Internacional and a desire to make an impact at the club. Bernabei’s comments reflect a professional looking forward to a new challenge, not a disgruntled figure seeking to prove a point to his former coach or team.
“I really wanted to come back and feel what South American football is all about again. Wearing this Internacional shirt gives me a lot of emotion and adrenaline. Knowing what this club means makes me want to get going and make an impression here,” Bernabei explained. He further detailed his playing style and commitment to contributing to Internacional’s success, with no mention of Celtic or Brendan Rodgers in a negative light.
The discrepancy between the headline and the player’s actual sentiments underscores a troubling trend by the Record: the inclination towards crafting narratives that stir controversy and emotional response, often at the expense of context and factual accuracy. While grabbing the audience’s attention is a cornerstone of media, crossing the line into misleading representation does a disservice to both the subjects of the articles and the readers themselves.
This incident brings to light the critical role of fan media and responsible journalism in setting the record straight. By calling out such instances and providing a platform for accurate representation, fan media can serve as a counterbalance to this kind of nonsense, ensuring that the discourse around Celtic and its personalities remains grounded in reality.
Yet we still live with the fact that fan media is treated as second class citizens by the club while the Record enjoy much more generous access.
