On a somewhat similar note, I noticed two headlines in the links above right next to each other yesterday. One was from the Herald: Brandon Browner has size, power to help Patriots turn the corner; the Globe's headline was titled Richard Sherman Sounds off on Former Teammate Brandon Browner.
I was curious; how could it be that two stories about Browner have such different headlines? One implied a very positive column, and the other looked to be just the opposite.
It turns out that the headline in the Herald was a short blog entry, linking to an earlier feature piece based on an interview by Jeff Howe with Richard Sherman, talking about Browner. Sherman was very positive about Browner and what he would bring to the Patriots. The Globe article was based strictly on the column by Howe. It implied something completely different by using the phrase 'sounds off', making me think that Sherman must have had something negative to say about Browner. Turns out that wasn't the case - his quotes couldn't really be twisted that way - but for anybody that didn't click on the link and read the story, it certainly could have left you with a negative feeling about Browner.
Sometimes it is the writer, sometimes it is the editor who writes the headline. Either way, there is directive - written or implied - coming from management above. Regardless if it is to sensationalize in order to draw readers, or as an agenda to shape public opinion, it's up to us as consumers to have an open mind and not accept everything as unbiased reporting without an opinion or other motives. Perhaps this is part of a plan by the Globe to attract more readers - but for me personally, it's backfiring.