Headline Competition: The Standard Owns SCMP

Here are two headlines from Hong Kong’s two English-language newspapers reporting on the same story about drug testing.

Hair test to comb for drug evidence
May 18, 2010
The Standard


Pilot drug tests using hairs may lead to similar system in schools
May 18, 2010
South China Morning Post


When I first saw the SCMP headline, I immediately thought of airline pilots being tested for drugs. Specifically, I thought it was a clampdown on Cathay Pacific pilots who use recreational drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, Ketamine, Ecstasy and Ice, and if proved successful this drug testing initiative would be implemented later in schools.

It appears many bloggers who read the SCMP have a negative view of Hong Kong’s leading English-language newspaper. Comparing the above headlines does little to offset this negative view, where the SCMP’s editorial quality is considered to be poor and a regular source of ridicule.