The Training Zone
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Embargo-a-go-go
Managing the news is something PRs are paid to do. As journalists, we get that. Drip feed a story at an appropriate time to your target outlet, hope that both sides play by the unwritten rules and everyone’s happy. It’s a neat arrangement. And one that is completely unworkable in 2014. This morning I heard…
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Don’t Question Me
You would never consider a Tweet reading : “I just had a wee. How was your last bowel movement?” So why do some news organisations insist on asking inane questions after every story link posted? Don’t get me wrong here – Twitter is a great way of getting your message out to an audience that…
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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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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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This Town Ain’t Big Enough…
The rather precise time of 1350 today will be an interesting one for the radio industry. The Competition Commission Tribunal will hand down its ruling on whether Global Radio will be forced to sell a number of its radio stations. This has all come about since Global bought RSL – the company that runs Real…
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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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