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The big news debate
Posted: 06-03-08
As one Channel 4 News report receives more complaints in February than any other C4 programme, and a second becomes the focus of the month’s biggest debate in the forums, the Viewers’ Editor asks your opinion on C4 News.
The TV Show on Saturday had an interesting debate about the media blackout that covered Prince Harry’s tour of duty in Afghanistan which came to an end last week when the news broke on an American blog. The discussion was joined by Dorothy Byrne, Head of News and Current Affairs for Channel 4 and David Mannion, Editor in Chief, at ITV News appeared on the programme, as well as viewers.
David felt that the news blackout was perfectly legitimate. He told the audience that the media has for many years agreed to delaying reports when security is at risk. For example visits by the Prime Minister to regions at war are usually reported after the event, rather than in advance or at the time.
Responding to several hundred complaints received by Channel 4 about Jon Snow’s interview on the night that the news broke, Dorothy explained that news always tries to present both sides in a debate, either by getting interviewees that have different opinions, or, if interviewees have similar points of view, getting the presenter to ask questions from an alternative point of view, as Jon Snow did on this occasion.
News has also been getting lots of people chatting on the forums this month, in particular Krishnan Guru-Murthy’s interview with George Galloway on the day that Fidel Castro announced his retirement (link to relevant forum page), where George Galloway accused Channel 4 of behaving like Fox News (well known for its right-wing editorial stance).
Asking Dorothy about this she said: "There was an excellent package about Cuba which summarised fairly some key facts about the state of the country. It included the fact that Cuba has some very serious economic problems and is not a democratic country. These were facts Mr Galloway seemed to object to hearing."
Dorothy reminded me that, unlike Fox TV in America, the British Press, including British Television News is required to be duly impartial.
Did you enjoy The TV Show debate on news and what’s your opinion of Channel 4 News?
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hauntedbyhector
Tax Cuts?
Tax Cuts?
wrote on 11-03-08 14:17
Why are all the commentators saying that Gordon Brown announced a tax cut from 22% to 20% last year? For people like me, not yet 65 and on and income of a little below £ 7,500, my income tax bill will double because he has cancelled the 10% rate for the first £ 2,500. My effective rate is therefore 20% instead of 10% at the very bottom of the income scale.
Andrew Chapman
