Obscure Box

This was on the front page of The Age's website today.

Not the best ad above a headline

Does the tragic story of a 20-year-old falling to his death in Brisbane need such a black banner above the headline?

Admittedly, Acton Beale may not be the smartest lad as he died after falling from the balcony of a unit block, as reported in "Planking death: man plunges from balcony" (Sunday 16 May 2011).

He was trying to lay face down on the balcony railing of his apartment when he suddenly fell - The Age.

Such is the life of a planker.

But does The Age need the ad to rub salt into his fatal wounds with: "Only a little bit over? You bloody idiot."

The ad's actually for a drink driving campaign, run by the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria.

I think somebody needs to have words to make sure such a bold statement in the ad doesn't clash with any more headlines.