REALL News - Vol 02 No 12 - 1994

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 2, Issue 12, December 1994, features a critical examination of tabloid journalism, particularly focusing on 'The Sun' and 'Weekly World News' (WWN) in a three-part series by Bob Ladendorf. The issue is subtitled 'A Look into the Sun -- and Other Tabloids, Part 2 -- The Elements of Proof,' and includes a quote from James Randi stating, 'It's a very dangerous thing to believe in nonsense.'

Analysis of Tabloid Credibility

Bob Ladendorf, the editor of The REALL News, continues his investigation into the credibility of supermarket tabloids. In Part 1, he identified that WWN and The Sun featured more paranormal/pseudoscientific articles compared to the National Enquirer, Star, and Globe, which focused more on celebrity gossip. This second part delves into the 'elements of proof' used by WWN and The Sun.

Ladendorf's core conclusion is that these tabloids are not credible or convincing when it comes to proving or raising questions about the paranormal. He likens them to 'Mad magazine' rather than journals of scientific inquiry. To reach this conclusion, he evaluated the content of relevant articles in relation to the sources cited, finding a significant lack of credible sources, which undermines any claim of proof.

Eyewitnesses and Experts

The articles often rely on single eyewitnesses or multiple witnesses with minimal information. 'Experts' are frequently cited as unnamed generic sources or individuals with only titles, rather than providing verifiable credentials. A common tactic is to report events occurring in foreign countries, making independent corroboration more difficult and costly.

• Examples cited include:
• An article in The Sun (Nov. 9, 1993) about a World War II dogfight witnessed by Victor Nankuti's father, with the additional claim that a 'Chicago psychic' Dr. Frank DeLucca also witnessed it. No further information on DeLucca was provided.
• Another Sun article ('Helen was an Android,' Nov. 9, 1993) quotes an 'archaeologist' Henry Masters, with no further source information, who found transistorized parts of Helen of Troy's body.
• 'Angry Neighbor Makes Her Ears Grow' (Sun, Nov. 9, 1993) features Margaret Boone from Johannesburg, South Africa, whose ears allegedly grew after gossiping about a neighbor, Rachel Clark, who summoned spirits. Sources cited are 'Clark' and 'Boone.'
• 'Branded with Evil Mark of the Devil' (Sun, Nov. 9, 1993) describes a curse appearing on Bonny's back, with sources including 'psychiatrists,' 'religious experts,' 'Father Helmut Bergen,' 'husband Roger,' and 'Dr. Nils Wilson.' No address or phone number was given for Bonny.
• 'How JFK Saved the World' (Sun, Nov. 9, 1993) claims Kennedy scared off aliens, citing 'the Sun has learned,' 'Sun investigators,' and an 'unnamed presidential aide.'
• 'Catholic priest taken to Heaven & Hell' (WWN, Nov. 16, 1993) cites 'A Catholic priest at the Vatican' and 'Father Fabio Martini.'
• 'Woman heals the sick -- with medicine from outer space!' (WWN, Nov. 16, 1993) features Lupe Garcia from Guadalajara, Mexico, who allegedly healed thousands with alien-provided medicine, citing 'Lupe Garcia,' 'scores of Mexican doctors,' 'Dr. Carlos Perez,' and 'Dr. Luis Mendez.'
• 'Shape of your ears reveals your personality' (WWN, Nov. 16, 1993) quotes 'Louis Marschand of Bordeaux, France.'
• 'Girl hears ghostly voices on her tape player -- from 1906 Frisco earthquake' (WWN, Nov. 16, 1993) cites 'Sandra Mitchell' and 'three recording experts.'
• 'Travel by Fax machine' (WWN, Nov. 16, 1993) mentions 'Swedish physicist Dr. Peter Sigmundsen.'
• 'New gadget gives you a college education -- overnight!' (WWN, Nov. 16, 1993) cites 'Dr. Hubert Durr.'
• 'Animal psychic probes mind of Nicole's dog and discovers . . . O.J. is innocent!' (WWN, Aug. 23, 1994) cites 'Linda Wortham,' a 'Tacoma, Wash. psychic.'
• 'UFO Sucks the Eyeballs out of 12 People' (WWN, Aug. 23, 1994) cites 'Raymond Toomet of Albuquerque,' 'Wildlife authorities,' 'experts,' and 'federal medical officials.'
• 'TV fan changes channels by ESP' (Sun, Dec. 28, 1993) cites 'George Cosgrove,' 'Psychic experts,' and 'Dr. Daniel Marol.'

Foreign Locations

• Another characteristic highlighted is the frequent use of foreign locations, which makes independent verification difficult. Examples include:
• 'Bizarre Disease Turns Woman into a Termite' (Sun, Dec. 28, 1993) about Debbie Martin in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 'Fangs for the Memories' (Sun, Dec. 28, 1993) about Jim Page and his family being vampires in Leicester, England.
• 'Bizarre Jungle Tribe Worships Electricity' (Sun, Aug. 16, 1994) in the 'jungles of New Guinea.'
• 'Girl Raised by Monkeys' (Sun, Aug. 16, 1994) in Sierra Leone, Africa.
• 'Corpse Waives to Mourners' (Sun, Aug. 16, 1994) with a funeral director from Rome, Italy.
• 'I Play Chess with my Dead Husband' (Sun, Aug. 16, 1994) in Tunbridge Wells, England.
• 'Satan Appear in Paris -- and she's a Woman!' (WWN, Jan. 4-11, 1994) in Paris, France.
• 'Devil's Triangle Planes Last Seen near Mars' (WWN, Jan. 4-11, 1994) in Basil, Switzerland.
• 'Angry German sticks 917 Iraquis' heads to the floor' (WWN, Jan. 4-11, 1994) in Iraq.
• 'Secret Horror Chamber of the Copycat Killer' (Sun, Nov. 9, 1993) on an 'island in the Scottish Hebrides.'

Even when stories are set in America, they often occur in small, obscure areas (e.g., Albany, Illinois) or use vague locations (e.g., Greenland) that prevent independent investigation.

Difficulty of Scientific Testing

Ladendorf points out that many claimed phenomena are difficult to duplicate or scientifically test. They are often singular events, obscure inventions, or have non-physical aspects. An example is the 'Secret Horror Chamber of the Copycat Killer' story, where the location was destroyed by fire shortly after police arrived.

Singular events, like JFK diverting aliens, would require documentation. The article questions the credence of a purported transcript of a talk between Kennedy and aliens, noting a quote attributed to Kennedy that incorrectly uses 'Pol Pot' in the context of the Cuban missile crisis (1962). The article clarifies that Pol Pot (Saloth Sar) was not widely known by that name until the mid-1970s.

Non-believability and Other Articles

The issue also addresses 'true-sounding' articles about odd people or events that seem innocent and true, suggesting that these might lead readers to believe there's a kernel of truth in the supernatural articles. The example of Abraham Lincoln's Corpse Revived (WWN) is debunked by Nan Winn, tomb site manager, who states Lincoln is in a secure vault, and such an event would have been noticed.

Columnist Russell Baker's quote about people's inability to believe what they read in grocery tabloids is presented, posing the question of why they continue to do so.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical evaluation of information presented in popular tabloids. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, emphasizing the lack of scientific rigor, the unreliability of sources, and the tendency towards sensationalism over factual reporting. The issue advocates for critical thinking and common sense when encountering such material, highlighting the dangers of believing unsubstantiated claims.

The article series is set to continue in Part 3, which will further address why people continue to believe what they read in tabloids.