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The new Five News with…
Is fine. The thing that gave it most character, ironically, was not Natasha Kaplinsky but the promo for its long-running Your News segment, which was more impressive than the thin segment that actually aired. The style is a familiar mix of glossy professionalism up top, and poppy amateurism down bulletin. Will viewers abandon Emmerdale or…
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How well informed are “official” sources?
The usefulness of diplomats has long been a mystery to me. Former British diplomat Carne Ross has an anecdote that should ring alarm bells with anyone who wants to know how valid “official” government sources really are: I will here admit one shameful episode from my own career: when I was posted to Kabul, I…
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The decline of newspapers – nothing to do with journalism
Declining newspaper readership has nothing to do with journalism. Should I say that again for the hard of hearing? Amongst those not listening, the normally wise and perceptive Howard Owens: If our readers so easily recognize that what we do isn’t trustworthy for its accuracy both in fact and spirit, then how can we expect…
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Repackaging the evening news – lessons from America
My old dead tree version of the Atlantic finally arrived, and with it a lovely, insightful piece on Katie Couric and the CBS Evening News by Caitlin Flanagan. As the new Kaplinsky Five News prepares to take to the air, and the revived News at Ten struggles, here is Flanagan’s conclusion on Couric: That Katie…