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The value of TV news
In case you hadn’t come across it, there’s a very good report [pdf] out from media consultancy Human Capital on the value of news for UK commercial Public Service Broadcasters (that’s ITV, Channel 4, and five), who all have to run news as part of the price of accessing the vanishing airwaves. In an act…
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My undercover SAS Glastonbury story
Many years ago, I was tasked with doing an undercover story on – wait for it, yawn – drug-taking at Glastonbury. Class A, of course. Anyway in the days of no mobile phone cover it meant yomping over acres, co-ordination via walkie-talkie. Much hassle. We were liaising with the local constabulary too, but our secret…
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James Cameron remembered
Tonight at the 21st James Cameron memorial event, some excellent things. In order: An award for Ghaith Abdul-Ahad of the Guardian – terrific, I was lucky enough to get him on TV when I was at five. An absolute class act – architect/ photographer/ storyteller. An award for Peta Thorneycroft, redoubtable Zimbabwe correspondent of the…
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Political communication
The new face of political campaigning. Hillary Clinton does a Sopranos parody, which illustrates the limits of political comedy. Actually, watch it. There is nothing funny about it. But funny is not the point. Essentially, it’s about the setting – a feelgood diner, with happy Americans (voters) and a side order of Senator. Hillary and…