Media Training Update w/c 16th March

Edition 528

Good morning, it’s Monday 16th March.

Divine Comedy was superb in Porto. 
(Those who asked if they could come with me, I wish I could have made it happen.)

Let’s mop up some housekeeping from a fortnight ago: taking notes into radio interviews. I’m dead against it, apart from some specific circumstances (eg a series of local interviews with a different set of stats for each region)…

…but more importantly here’s how you feel:

The war in the Middle East will continue to dominate the news agenda, however also jostling for attention this week…

Monday: Mark Carney visits the UK to meet with Keir Starmer.

Tuesday: Final vote in the Scottish Parliament on the assisted dying bill.

Wednesday: All eyes on the mighty Newcastle United in the Champions League round of 16 second leg. (Some other teams are also playing.) 


Thursday: Covid-19 Inquiry module 3 report published.

UK interest rate decision.


Friday: Full inquest opens into death of Ricky Hatton.


Saturday: SNL UK launch.

Sunday: Italian referendum on judicial reforms.

Down-The-Line interviews…

I spent an afternoon last week recording a series of down-the-line TV interviews. A couple of tips…

1) If the earpiece falls out mid-interview, odds are it will fall out again. Put it back in then keep your hand against your ear. Viewers know exactly what is happening, it means you can focus on your content rather than worry about it happening again. 

2) Ask the camera operator how much of you is in shot. If it’s tight you don’t need to worry about your hands. If it’s wider, then be mindful they don’t keep popping into shot every so often which distracts. Don’t put your hands behind your back and never put them in your pockets.

3) Feel the weight in the bottom of your feet before the interview starts. People have a tendency to start swaying during live interviews. 

4) Keep your eyes on the camera lens at all times. This feels unnatural. Trust me, it’s really important. 

5) There’s often a lot of waiting around with your ear-piece in and microphone on. Think about how to fill that time without getting increasingly nervous. Focus on your key messages or something else entirely, but be mindful of, and ready for a fairly long wait…

“The image of a tightrope going across a very high canyon is reasonably appropriate. There’s some joy to be had, but we’re in an age where weaponisation is rife.”

Outgoing BBC DG Tim Davie answers questions from Marina Hyde, Richard Osman and listeners on The Rest Is Entertainment pod. 


He comes across as pretty likeable. No jaw-dropping newslines, but interesting sections on the License Fee, charter renewal, accountability, Glastonbury, the BAFTAs, impartiality, the BBC board,

competition from streamers:


”There are three things we do that streamers don’t: (1) pursue truth with no agenda, (2) our commitment to UK content and UK IP, and (3) the fact we are here to bring people together, be it civilised debate or a sporting event.” 


and the ideological case for the BBC: 

“It is existential. I don’t think the BBC has a right to exist. It has to deliver value to every household.” 

Available (as they say) wherever you get your podcasts. I’d be interested to hear how you think he comes across.

Footnotes:

According to Politico’s always excellent London Playbook email Downing Street is shaking up the long-standing news grid that dictates government comms. Comms SpAds have been presented with a plan for No.10 to tell its biggest stories over longer periods and via more varied channels.

Roger Matthews, one of the FT’s finest foreign correspondents and editors in a career spanning more than three decades, has died. He was the paper’s Middle East editor for many years and his thoughtfully written obit feels timely, given current news events. 

Here’s the link. (Hopefully it hasn’t disappeared behind the paywall.)

On This Day: Harold Wilson, Labour leader for 13 years and Prime Minister for almost eight, announced his resignation to a shocked nation on this day in 1976.

Busy week ahead for us: London, Manchester and Brighton.

The Mutt Photo:

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 super week.

All at Inside Edge