Media Training Update w/c 26th January

“Whether writing a quick quote story or investigating a complex technical issue, journalists must constantly decide whose knowledge is relevant, how much authority to grant it, and how to present it responsibly to the public.”

An excerpt from Norwegian journo Jon Kåre’s project on how experts fit into the new media landscape.

The full report is 116 pages long, so a bottle of Cava in 2nd post to anyone who reads the whole thing. To the rest of us, a summary.

Morning all, it’s Monday 26th January.

The number of people out of work in Britain rose above three million for the first time since the 1930s on this day in…?

(answer in the footnotes)

Last week’s dilemma:

“A short clip from an interview I gave to Sky News has been posted by the broadcaster on social media. It’s accurate but heavily cropped and without context, It doesn’t really reflect what I meant. Comments are piling in. I’m annoyed, but wary of overreacting.”


What do I do?

Your verdict:

It’s a tough call, but I’m inclined to pitch my tent in the “Ignore it, online cycles move fast” camp. I’d certainly get in touch without hesitation if the clip had been edited, but if it’s just cropped I think they’d be unlikely to take it down. 

And some top drawer feedback from you:

“Social posts are short by nature and are meant to be teasers. So long as this was accurate and the clip didn’t alter the meaning then it would be ok. But editing on social, as with anywhere has to be accurate and faithful in context.”

These scenarios are fun. Here’s another…

“I prepared for a one-to-one interview and was explicitly told this would be the format. 10 minutes before going on air I was informed it is now a panel, including someone with strong, opposing views. I’m wary, but confident in my subject and relatively experienced with the media. And this is an important platform.”

Results next week. And as ever, email us with the reason for your choice.

Here’s the news diary for the week ahead…

(Full disclosure: I’m writing this on Friday afternoon as I’m away this weekend, so by today we’ll know the timings for the PM’s Beijing trip. ATOW it’s thought to be 29-31st, with Japan following at the weekend.)

Monday: Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood publishes Policing White Paper.

Tuesday: BAFTA nominations announced.

Wednesday: Archbishop of Canterbury’s confirmation of election ceremony.

Thursday: Apple announces results.


Friday: UEFA Champions League knockout stage draw.


Saturday: Australian Open women’s final.


Sunday: The Grammy Awards.

If You Can’t Beat Em…

The BBC has announced that it will produce tailor-made content for Youtube…

“We’re building from a strong start and this takes us to the next level, with bold homegrown content in formats audiences want on YouTube and an unprecedented training programme to upskill the next generation of YouTube creators from across the UK.” Tim Davie, Outgoing BBC DG

Next month’s Winter Olympics coverage will set the tone.


The FT reports the BBC will be able to generate a profit from any partnership by advertising on programs shown outside of the U.K.

Read Variety’s write-up. 


Footnotes: 


Goalhanger, the company behind The Rest Is… podcasts and videos now have 250,000 paying subscribers. Press Gazette reckons that’s £15 million a year alone, before you even get to advertising revenue.

A footnote to last week’s minor rant at Today on Radio 4. Editor Owenna Griffiths has also announced she is leaving the programme.

We’re in London and Weymouth this week.

On this day: The number of people out of work in Britain rose above three million for the first time since the 1930s on this day in…1982.


And finally, the Mutt Photo: (Leo is always in charge of the remote…)

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 fantastic week.

All at Inside Edge