07-08-2023, 06:36 PM
(07-08-2023, 05:40 PM)London Lite Wrote: All that will come of it I suspect is that GB News will have to have a newsreader on standby in the bulletin set during shows presented by politicians, so you don't end up with JRM breaking news about somebody in his own party.I think having a current serving politician regularly presenting and interviewing on a programme is what I find slightly problematic.
However I agree that it's the one sided chummy interviews between two presenters and a guest who are part of the same political party which are the more concerning.
In my opinion having a current serving politician as a regular guest (eg. This Week) is different. In those instances they're not leading the programme or generally interviewing others. If they do ask/challenge other guests questions, there's still the presenter to draw the line.
Similarly, having a current serving politician present as a one off (eg. guest host HIGNFY) generally isn't much of an issue.
Equally, former politicians regularly presenting (eg. Ed Balls) isn't usually as problematic. Whilst they may still have a political bias they're not actively involved in the day-to-day politics and the current government's agenda. Whilst if interviewing someone from the same party they're more likely to give them an easier ride that's not always guaranteed to be the case. Additionally, being a former politician there is less of an argument around spending their time representing their constituents instead of being on TV.
Formerly 'Charlie Wells' of TV Forum.