Watching Chloe Smith being interviewed by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight, I veered between two competing views on her performance: On the one hand, you can’t help but feel sorry for anyone who is subject to such a relentless skewering from the master inquisitor, particularly one who looks – and is – so young. What was […]
A sneaky peak at a BBC outside broadcast
Sir Richard Dimbleby Every year, the BBC broadcasts the annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture, an opportunity for someone at the top of their profession to present a sometimes provocative or radical opinion. This year’s lecture was given by the geneticist Sir Paul Nurse, and I was among the team that brought the programme to air. I thought […]
Strange but true: my journalistic career
I have worked in the media for over 25 years, and in that time I’ve done everything from an interview with a vampire to doorstepping rogues traders to being infested with tropical bugs after filming in the Ukraine. Here are eight odd facts about my journalist career. At university I joined the fencing club, but […]
Tweet tweet: round up of our PR tips – all about filming
Every day we post a PR tip on Twitter, and provide a round up of these on our blog. This week, they focus on what happens if a TV crew comes to film you. 1. If a TV crew comes to interview you, pick them up at the station & provide lunch. It makes them […]
Case study: mistakes in a media interview
Watch this. It’s a bit long, but it’s worth it. It’s a debate that took place last week on Newnight between Nick Davies from the Guardian and Jules Stenson, who was features editor of the News of the World. As well as being about a topic of great interest to those in the media […]
The importance of Remembrance Weekend
This weekend, I was involved in the production of the Festival of Remembrance for the BBC. This is the Saturday evening ceremony held at the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate those who have given their lives in wars since World War One. It was extraordinarily moving. It really brought home the impact of war on […]
Stay in touch: social media