Prodicus: 1982 and 1986 Are The 1970s...

As a sideline here, we like to point out instances of "'70s hype" as we call it. You know, times when interesting events of other decades are assigned to the 1970s, thus making it seem the most dramatic and colourful decade ever? This is a very common occurrence.

Today, we find Prodicus saying:

Would it be that Brenda Dean who, with her brothers and sisters in That Great Movement of Theirs, even today the Labour Party's paymaster, held the Byzantine British publishing industry firmly by the throat until, in the 1970s, Eddie Shah, Rupert Murdoch (and in the 80s, Margaret Thatcher) finally dragged it out of the mediaeval swamp and into the modern era and broke the lethal grip of the trade unions on the freedom of the British people?

Er, would that be the Eddie Shah who had a set-to with the unions in 1982, lasting seven months? Is 1982 the "1970s"!? Would that be the Eddie Shah who set up Today newspaper, Britain's first colour national daily, in March 1986? And would that be the Rupert Murdoch of 1986 Wapping fame? Is 1986 the "1970s"?

It's bizarre. it's rampant. the '70s are everywhere! Even when they shouldn't be! But it does help people not to mention '80s. Even when they really should.

UPDATE:

Prodicus has been in touch, telling us it's "a fair cop".

"What ho. A fair cop. My mistake on the chronology, now corrected. Mrs T passed the legislation and Shah and Murdoch used it. I was in publishing in the 70s (plenty of union s**t) and 80s (more off same during the breaking of the stranglehold). I still have the scars."

Understood, matey. The relevant legislation in the Shah scenario dated from 1980 and 1982. We make a bit of hobby of spotting instances of the 1980s being rewritten to the 1970s. You wouldn't believe how often it happens! From the BBC to the UK Press Association, proclaiming '80s events are '70s is absolutely piggin' RAMPANT!!