“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

Edition 521

Amol Rajan is quitting Today, leaving it with a diversity problem and a relevance problem.

Listening is so frustrating. When was the last time it produced some stop-you-in-your-tracks radio? It certainly has the resources, the clout, the talent.

Rajan came closer than most to jump-starting the programme. Now he’s had enough, and is off to the “great digital Narnia of the creator economy.”
__


(Update: according to the Observer Emma Barnett is also “considering her next move”)

__


Meanwhile Cathy Newman is leaving Channel 4 News after 20 years.

It’s an excellent hire for Sky News – she’ll front a daily 7pm politics show as well as longer form docs and a new pod.

Good morning, it’s Monday 19th January.

Armed police in Johannesburg broke up a demo against rebel England cricketers defying the ban on playing in South Africa on this day in…?

(answer in the footnotes)

4 Quick Thoughts On:
Presenters

1) They have egos 

However this doesn’t mean you should fawn over them, refer to them repeatedly by their first name in interviews, or preface every answer with ‘that’s a good question’. None of this washes.

2) They are busy 

Presenting is a tough gig and involves some pretty furious multi-tasking. A presenter’s last priority is to put you at your ease. Expect to be ignored in the lead-up to going on air.

3) They can be mischievous 

Keep your guard up right until the last breath of an interview. A final and seemingly casual throw away personal question or off topic curve-ball can be laced with danger for interviewees.

4) They’re not bad people 

(Actually some of them are.) But the vast majority are thoroughly decent people who are very well paid to do a very difficult job. Also a chunk of them have 3:30 am daily alarm calls. At the very least, they deserve our sympathy for that…

Last week’s dilemma:

“I agreed to appear live on Programme X. I prepped, cleared my diary, only to be dropped 15 minutes before going on air. A few weeks later it happened again. Same programme. Same outcome. Now a third request.

How do I respond?”

Your verdict:

Enjoyed reading your rationale. Here are three contrasting responses: 

“My answer is always say yes if the broadcast would be of value to the charity. I explain to our spokespeople that it is the nature of news, and being readily available and helpful means journalists are more likely to come back to us in the future.”

“I think I’d push back or decline. We do appreciate how hard journalists work, how fast things can change, and how difficult a journalist’s job is. But it needs to be mutual. Treating people like that isn’t just impolite, but also a waste of their time.”


”I don’t feel it works to be too tough on live news set-up desks who do have to move with the agenda, despite their best intentions at the start of the shift. Maybe I would add a caveat though and warn the producer this request is now wearing thin, so that they get the message and don’t take you for granted or use you as a ‘place saver'”.

Ultimately it’s your call, but news is messy, inexact and frustrating. I’d certainly feel comfortable politely pointing out this has happened twice already, but I’d also say yes without hesitation. 

Here’s this 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.”

Results next week.

(Always show your marking, as my maths teacher used to say. Do email us with the reason for your choice.)

Here’s the news diary for the week ahead…

Monday: High Court trial begins in claim by Prince Harry, Elton John and others against Daily Mail publishers.

Tuesday: Deadline for decision on Chinese embassy planning application


Wednesday: Donald Trump speaks at Davos.

Thursday: Oscar nominations announced.


Friday: Debate on assisted dying bill continues in the House of Lords.


Saturday: Jane Austen exhibition opens at National Archives.


Sunday: Round of 16 begins at the Australian Open.

Climate Change Fatigue? 

The Reuters Institute is tracking how people across eight countries including the UK access news about climate change….

Context and more here: Reuters Institute

Footnotes: 


A couple of you got in touch to say how much you disliked my recommendation of Good Night, and Good Luck. (Thank you for the feedback.)

We’re in Oxford and Glasgow this week.

On this day: Police in Johannesburg armed with batons and dogs broke up a demonstration against rebel England cricketers defying a ban on playing in segregated South Africa.on this day in…1990.


And finally, the Mutt Photo: 
Leo’s new favourite spot…

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

Edition 520

Good morning, it’s Monday 12th January.

Agatha Christie died, leaving a multi-million pound fortune and a final book waiting to be published on this day in…? (answer in the footnotes)

People I coach frequently recount media situations they have found themselves in, and ask for advice on what they could or should have done.

I’d like to see if you all agree with what I said at the time.

Here’s the gist of our first dilemma:

“I agreed to appear live on Programme X. I prepped, cleared my diary, only to be dropped 15 minutes before going on air.

A few weeks later it happened again. Same programme. Different producer. Same outcome.

Now a third request. The producer is enthusiastic, if slightly apologetic for the way I have been treated in the past.

I understand live broadcasting is unpredictable, however being treated as that disposable leaves a bad taste. I also know that how I respond now may shape how this programme treats me and my organisation in future.”

I won’t name the programme but it’s the BBC, and it’s well-known.

Results next week, and I’ll also outline the advice I gave. 
(I’d love you to email us with the reason for your choice.)

Monday: Polish President Karol Nawrocki begins visit to the UK.


Tuesday: Scottish finance minister Shona Robison delivers Holyrood budget.


Wednesday: WMO & national agencies release global temperatures reports.


Thursday: UK GDP monthly estimate.


Friday: House of Lords continues debate on assisted dying bill.


Saturday: High Seas Treaty takes effect.


Sunday: Africa Cup of Nations final.

3 Quick Tips On:
Down The Line Interviews

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 what is going on, it means you can focus on your content rather than worry about it happening again. 

2) If there’s a camera operator ask 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) Keep your eyes on the camera lens at all times. This feels unnatural, but trust me, it really matters.

“There is blood in the water”

You may not have heard of Bari Weiss, the new Editor In Chief of CBS News, but her rise is a fascinating tale and one utterly and perfectly for our times. A clash of old and new media. A Presidential cameo. And now a disastrous start for the new anchor in a chair once held by the mighty Walter Cronkite.

(Morning Show writers will be watching closely…)

This Guardian piece is worth a read, as is this firecracker from Vanity Fair.

Footnotes: 


Good Night, and Good Luck.

Netflix is now streaming the Broadway production of George Clooney’s dramatisation of Edward R Murrow’s on-air tangles with Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. I really enjoyed it.


We’re in London, Bristol and Lowestoft this week. (Oh how I’ve missed those train station sandwiches…)

On this day: Agatha Christie died, leaving a rumoured multi-million pound fortune and a final book waiting to be published, on this day in…1976.


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 fantastic week.

All at Inside Edge

Edition 519

Good morning, it’s Monday 8th December. Here’s the final Briefing of 2025.

First up: time to bring the curtain down on the weekly video updates. We’ve covered a fair bit of ground over the last 12 months…

Next up: the dogs. Thanks to Stan and Leo for all their efforts this year, which have been minimal…

The Week Ahead:

Monday: John Swinney delivers speech on independence. 

Golden Globes nominations.


Tuesday: Rachel Reeves and Treasury ministers questioned in Parliament.

Turner Prize.


Wednesday: Australian ban on social media for under-16s takes effect.


Thursday: Andrew Bailey appears at Covid-19 Inquiry.

TIME Magazine Person of the Year 
(I don’t want to jump the gun but I’ve had a pretty decent 12 months…)

Friday:  UK GDP monthly estimates.


Sunday: Presidential election runoff in Chile.

Scottish League Cup final. 

Footnotes: 


Reaction to last week’s Word Of The Year includes this from reader Sarah:

“Your word of the year has really resonated with me. I can see how allowing the enjoyment enables a freedom of expression that is otherwise constrained. When I get the opportunity to do interviews I dread them but love the opportunity to share my passion for what we do, so I guess that’s enjoying really.”

Can’t face Mrs Brown’s Boys on Christmas Day?

On this day:

Reagan and Gorbachev signed an historic agreement to reduce the size of their nuclear arsenals on this day in 1987.

We’ll be back, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in January.

If you are lucky enough to get a break in the weeks ahead we hope it’s happy and we hope it’s peaceful. (You deserve it.)