-
Arguing against Nick Davies
British writer Nick Davies is an inspiration to a lot of young journalists, and rightly so (you can read more of his writing on social issues here). But now he has moved from covering drugs and criminal justice to report on journalism. And in doing so, he commissioned some research to back up his criticisms…
-
Tiny political scandal rocks British public life
This week a British MP has been in the spotlight for employing his son as a “researcher,” when it seems the young man did nothing for his money. But the issue of him not doing anything has been lost amid wider sniffing at familial employment. Even a mighty oak like Microsoft trying to buy Yahoo…
-
Democracy and the BBC: more preached than practised
One of my favourite quotes on democracy (disowned by its originator alas), comes from British educator Derry Hannam: Learning about democracy and citizenship in school is a bit like reading holiday brochures in prison. Why do I trawl that quote up? Well, BBC Director-General Mark Thompson, in an interesting and wide-ranging speech addressing the trust…
-
“Balance” in diplomacy: lessons for journalism
I am sorry to say I have never had much time for diplomats. Prejudice, you understand. Reading former British diplomat Carne Ross’s enjoyable and self-critical memoir – Independent Diplomat: Dispatches from an Unaccountable Elite – hasn’t exactly changed my mind. But as well as reminding UK tax-payers that they could save a lot of money…