Media Training Update w/c 20th October

Edition 512

Good morning, it’s Monday 20th October.

We’ve had loads of questions come in via the Aftercare App which I’ll try to answer over the next couple of weeks. Kicking off with…

💬 “Should I call a presenter by their first name in an interview?”


💬 “You often talk about the power of the pause – but doesn’t that just let the presenter interrupt?”


💬 “Should I ask for a fee?”

The Week Ahead:

Monday: Chris Whitty gives evidence to the Covid-19 inquiry.


Tuesday: Boris Johnson gives evidence to the Covid-19 inquiry.


Sanae Takaichi expected to be elected Japan’s first female prime minister at extraordinary Diet session.


Wednesday: Kim Leadbeater at Lords committee session on assisted dying bill.

New UK Living Wage rates announced


Thursday: Welsh Senedd by-election in Caerphilly constituency.

UN Security Council holds open debate on Gaza.

Friday: Parole decision due for Stephen Lawrence murderer David Norris.

Presidential election in Ireland.


Saturday: New Labour deputy leader announced.


Sunday: British Summer Time ends.

The Pentagon press room is currently a quiet and lonely place after Pete Hesgeth’s drive to force all accredited journalists to sign up to ridiculously restrictive reporting requirements fell flat. 

Every single accredited news outlet – bar Trump mouthpiece One America News Network – has refused to sign, including the Defense Secretary’s own former employer Fox News.

“The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections,” that statement said. “We will continue to cover the US military as each of our organizations has done for many decades upholding the principles of a free and independent press.”

Joint statement 

“We are particularly grateful to the thousands of academics who, three at a time, sparkle so brilliantly in our studio and continue to play such an essential part in our joint success”
Simon Tillotson, producer

The British Academy awarded its President’s Medal to Radio 4’s In Our Time.


“It taps into an insatiable curiosity at the heart of human life and a thirst for knowledge among prime-time listeners.”
Professor Susan J Smith, President of the British Academy

Melvyn B, who is stepping down after 27 years, was at the ceremony, alongside many of the academics who regularly appear. 


Footnotes: 


On this day: The British Government announced plans to change the law so that remaining silent could incriminate rather than protect a suspect, on this day in 1988.

Quote Of The Week:

“They ‘disappeared’ my hair”
President Trump

(I mean, they sort of did…)

Mutt photo:

 “I’m guessing other dogs are not allowed to enter the photo category… but here goes anyway” writes Sujata. On the contrary, we love a guest mutt, and haven’t had one for ages. Let’s have a few more between now and the end of the year.

This is Zuma…

Be part of the MMB. Thoughts on this week’s content, or interviews you’ve seen, heard, or (best of all) done, please let us know.

Back next Monday. Have a brilliant week.

All at Inside Edge