The Press: The Swinging Worker

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When the Communists set out to rename the revamped London Daily Worker, British wags offered suggestions: London Pravda, the Daily Directive, the Red Queen, the Daily Pink, the Swinging Plodder, Hammer & Piffle. Not amused, the dour Communists last week brought out their new paper under the innocuous name Morning Star.

Six pages instead of the customary four, the Star has stooped to imitating many features of the capitalist press: a sprightlier makeup, more sports and television coverage, a woman's page, a medical column ("Slimming the Sensible Way"). Otherwise, the paper plays the same old tune. A big headline blares: "U.S. Troops Told 'Bring Your Own Prostitutes.' " An editorial assures everyone that the Star will champion People, Youth, Justice, as seen through Red eyes. And the paper continues to carry the familiar advertisements: "Men's watches from the U.S.S.R.," "New films from Vietnam," "Wines that please the palate—from the sunny vineyards of Bulgaria."