Journalism
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A Talk On The Wild Side
Last week, London’s talk radio station LBC announced that it was “going national” across the UK. It was a big claim – and not without a certain amount of irony – since LBC was previously available on several local Digital Radio multiplexes but was subsequently pulled, most probably for financial reasons. Nevertheless, it’s still an…
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Scotched Myths
If you know me well, you’ll know I enjoy a drink or two. Or five. So when the Daily Star ran this splash today, I was as outraged as any self respecting England fan. Except it isn’t true. The Star wasn’t the only one to peddle the myth, though in fairness, it wasn’t entirely the…
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A (Tamar) Bridge Too Far
Around a year and a half ago, I wrote this blog about Global Radio’s plans to remove their local drive show from Cornwall. The Heart South West licence is somewhat unique within the network, since it combines a number of different licences with slightly different formats. No problem, you might think. A network is a…
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Outraged of Canning Circus
This might not sit comfortably with some, but I refuse to be disgusted, outraged or in the slightest bit angry about Benefits Street. Mainly because I haven’t seen it. And I doubt I will, despite just about everyone I usually respect imploring me to sign petitions to get the programme banned, or generally Make A…
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Ask a silly question…
One of the basic rules of “good” radio – taught by every brilliant broadcaster I’ve ever met – is that it is a personal medium. Radio generates large audiences, can reach places that other forms of media cannot. But everything you’re ever taught points to the idea that you are talking to just one person.…
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Disgusted (of Wells-next-the-Sea)
One of my colleagues in that there London probably summed it up pretty well on Thursday night. I’d prepared myself for the inevitable borefest of important yet predictable coverage of the Autumn Statement when things started getting busy. A tidal surge was sweeping down the East coast, just as journalists were still crunching George Osborne’s…
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Ask a simple question…
In journalism you get used to doors being slammed in your face. People are naturally suspicious about your motives for asking questions, particularly when the answer might cause some embarrassment. The trick in these situations is to never take no for an answer. But that’s sometimes easier said than done. Since its inception, the Freedom…
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What The Papers (Should) Say
It must be something in the air. That’s the only explanation that I can think of for my current state of mind, in agreeing wholeheartedly with a Conservative veteran and my own BBC Controller this week. Let me explain. As a union rep, I’ve had my fair share of run ins (and stand up rows)…
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Regulation Schmegulation
So it’s official. The Privy Council has approved the Royal Charter paving the way for a new press regulator. But if no newspapers will sign up to it, what will have been the point? Like a spoilt child who can’t get their way, the printed press have once again refused to play ball, crying foul,…
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The British Biased Corporation
Here’s an admission which will doubtless cheer the Chairman of the Conservative party : I work for the BBC and I’m biased. Every day, I do my best to ensure that I do everything possible to protect my employer, and its main source of income. I’m proud to take sides when it comes to defending…
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