A major criticism against the media is that it distorts news, takes quotes out of context and sensationalises the headlines. The question is to what extent the headline writers, who have become a specialised tribe in some of the regional newspapers, can take liberty with the headlines? Can they interpret the news or editorialise the news in the headlines? Admittedly, bland headlines will not appeal to the readers and they have to be drawn to the news item with some creativity in the headlines. It is certainly an art. But can it distort the spirit of the text? Fine, politicians are bound to have complaints against the media. But there are certain realities which cannot be brushed aside. The problem is print media is trying to compete with the soundbyte soldiers so that readers have something different in the headlines.