Media Training Update w/c 10th November

Edition 514

BBC DG Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resign.

Choose your narrative folks: the Trump Panorama edit was bad journalism and heads had to roll. Or the plan of those who wish the BBC existential harm is bang on track.

Both of these narratives can be true of course. But for anyone who cares for public service broadcasting, this is a grim moment.

“While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.”
Deborah Turness

“Yet pity the BBC that, while tiptoeing not always gracefully through these editorial minefields with thousands of hours of content, it has also to deal with enemies from within.”

There may well be fresh newslines by the time you read this, but as of 21:30 on Sunday night, Jane Martinson’s is one of the best takes I’ve seen.

READ MORE

Good morning, it’s Monday 10th November.

Where do we get our news from?

Results of last week’s GB News dilemma: 

Should research organisations engage with, or ignore GB News?


Engage: 39.7%
Ignore: 33.3%

This is way too complicated for a poll: 27%

Thanks to all who voted.

Cable news-ification


Two Harvard economists used second-by-second TV viewing data to show cable TV’s pivotal role in polarising America.

Here’s part of John Burn-Murdoch’s write-up in the FT: 

”Content relating to crime, immigration, race, gender and criticism of elites reliably increases viewing figures (while economics and healthcare cause people to switch away). This means there is a resulting shift in coverage towards more culture war issues and fewer socio-economic

stories, which leads voters to rate these issues as more important. Politicians then respond by campaigning more on cultural hot button topics. All told, they estimate that the emergence and growth of cable news can account for fully one-third of the increase in US cultural conflict since 2000.”

READ THE PAPER (“The Business of the Culture War”)
READ THE ARTICLE (Paywall)

The Week Ahead:

Monday: Ofsted report card introduced.

Donald Trump hosts Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa.

COP30 begins. 


Tuesday:  David Lammy leads Justice questions in the Commons following prisoner release row.


Wednesday:  High Court hears legal challenge to EHRC gender guidance.


Thursday: Third quarter GDP.

England v Serbia Men’s World Cup qualifier.

10th anniversary of the Paris Bataclan attacks. 

Friday: Four-day BMA resident doctors’ strike begins.


Sunday: England v Albania Men’s World Cup qualifier.

Westminster-Bubble News

Notes on two set-piece political events last week:

1) Nigel Farage’s speech on the economy was a brilliant reminder that you can book the grandest location on the planet for your presser, but if you don’t think through the camera angles you’re wasting your money…

2) At Rachel Reeves’s pre-budget speech, the front row wasn’t only reserved for political reporters from national newspapers/broadcasters but for social media content creators too.

The Chancellor also called on influencers Abi Foster and Cameron Smith for questions.

Ready To Yawn


I rate Emma Barnett, but is this seriously the best treatment the BBC could come up with for her podcast?

The BBC seems to be handing out podcasts to presenters like sweets from a jar at the moment.

Footnotes: 


On this day: Michael Foot defeated Denis Healey in a shock result to the Labour leadership contest.on this day in 1980.

Mutt Photo: Stan loving the autumn walks. Not bad for a 13 year old…

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