many people see a conspiracy in this -
@Mathew S explains why this happens very clearly.
that would clearly NOT be related to the story and not could be said to be an illustration of the story. The use of a picture in a general story is a filler, an illustration and to capture attention. It has no relation to the story. Furthermore it means nothing to the target audience who wont care if a 350 or a 450 or a 750 is used to illustrate the story.
Unless the picture is the story it simply doesn't matter. I wish posters here could suspend their pedantry sometimes! Real people are not "experts" like we are. They simply don't care.
I got called out the other day by referring to the 'Daily Echo' as not good for it's Newsworthiness, reasons being:
- There is a rush to get it published - to be the first to appear on Google News, to have the breaking news, sometimes they will just post a headline, with 'more to follow'
- They often make mistakes - again for the rush - not only factual errors - but also poor English Language, you just need to read the comments on the articles to see this.
- Pics are often file pics, sometimes works but once your on the story page, you don't need it to highlight the story as you are already there
this has been proven by the fact the Newspaper is soley South Hampshire based, and sometimes they'd use a Yorkshire Fire Service photo
when they do send a staff member to scene often they'll dump all the photos on the article leading to multiple photos of the same thing clearly shot on a camera phone.
specifically relating to this thread, they will indicate any railway issues in the area to be the fault of South Western Railway.
The choice of photo used would be relavent to commuters, if there was an issue in Fareham and they used a pic of a 444, it could lead a Fareham commuter to believe the story isn't about their track as 444s don't run that line.
Often they'll repost stories 2 or 3 times, that with the multiple photos suggests they're only in it for advertising revenue, rather that quality journalism