(03-09-2023, 11:22 AM)DTV Wrote: Johnson might have a journalistic career in her own right, but that was not substantively in the realms of politics and it is very noticeable how she only started getting booked to appear on such shows (with a very high frequency) after her brother became prime minister. To pretend those two facts aren't connected is wilful ignorance.
As for dodgy think tanks, I'm mainly referring to those that are incredibly publicly opaque about their funding, but whom it is well known within Westminster receive significant amounts of money on the behalf of certain industries to produce research that is in line with their preferences. Despite this, they are presented by broadcasters as dispassionate parties whose contribution to the debate is in the public interest, rather than being a front. The Institute for Economic Affairs, for instance, is heavily financially tied to the oil and tobacco industries and has coincidentally produced multiples reports critical of government attempts to tackle climate change or smoking. They are then invited to appear on panel debates as merely 'critical' voices on such matters, without the provenance of their funding being explained to viewers. I would regard that as a lapse in journalistic integrity as the broadcaster is effectively laundering the views of the oil or tobacco industry through a neutral sounding third party that would require advanced audience knowledge of to know was tied to said industry.
Mentioning think tanks - and related to this thread - whatever happened to Polly Mackenzie of Demos, given as she used to be a regular Sky News (as well as BBC when they used to do it) newspaper reviewer?
(03-09-2023, 11:31 PM)Scratch_Perry Wrote: Mentioning think tanks - and related to this thread - whatever happened to Polly Mackenzie of Demos, given as she used to be a regular Sky News (as well as BBC when they used to do it) newspaper reviewer?
The Politics Hub seems good enough. Makes sense to have a dedicated 'daily' politics show in the long lead up to a General Election.
I just wish they'd do something creative with the theme music. The approach Sky Sports News have taken would be ideal, with different mixes of the same theme throughout the day to vary it up a bit.
Sophy is really good, isn’t she - natural warmth but forensically brutal. Very much of the Frost-esque approach where it may seem affable and friendly, but there’s a killer question coming.
Really liked Politics Hub as a show. Only issue I have is the panel (I'd rather we see more of the Politics correspondents etc), and the slightly awkward set up of the 'big interviews' where the minister is in the middle of Sophy and the panel. Would be better to have the Minister sat at the main desk in the usual newsreader position as Sophy sits on the left side. I like the addition of the touch screen. Hopefully they use that for the other primetime shows should they come from Westminster.
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