The phone hacking scandal has dominated the news these last few weeks but as I write, it has now been blown off the front pages by the shocking news from Norway, the untimely death of Amy Winehouse at only 27, fears about the Euro, the economy and other matters; but before it all becomes tomorrow's chip paper, I shall take a brief look back at the last few weeks.
When it emerged at the beginning of July that journalists and private detectives working for the News of the World had been hacking into the mobile phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler while she was still missing in 2002 there was widespread public revulsion. No-one would argue that tabloid journalists are saintly figures and most of us I suspect were not particularly worried about celebrities or politicians, but with Milly, and the murdered girls at Soham, the victims of London 7/7, the bereaved families of soldiers returning from Afghanistan and many ordinary people, it was clear they had crossed a line which was totally unacceptable.
So we have seen the closure of a 168 year old newspaper, the announcemant of public and judicial inquiries, David Cameron on the back foot, Ed Miliband making hay, the resignation and subsequent arrest of Rebekah Brooks, the Chief Commissioner of the Met Sir Paul Stephensen throwing in the towel and his assistant John Yates effectively being told to go. Plans for a full take-over of BSkyB by News Corporation were abandoned and finally Rupert Murdoch and his son James were dragged before a select committee of the House of Commons. The old man described it as the humblest and, I would add, possibly the most humiliating day of his life. He appeared to express a mixture of remorse and ignorance. James reminded me of a smooth American lawyer and was described by one columnist as souding like a cross between Kermit the frog and Paul Gambaccini. To me he seemed evasive, and there are now real doubts as to whether he was telling the truth. The day ended in pantomime farce with a plate full of shaving foam thrown into Murdoch senior's face while his young wife saw off the assailant. The following day the PM gave an emergency statement to the House and took questions for three hours before they all finally went into delayed recess.
For now, a chapter has closed in this sorry affair. There are real questions about the PM's judgement in employing Andy Coulson as his press secretary when he was repeatedly warned not to do so. What did he and Ms Brooks really discuss at their frequent meetings in Downing Street? Questions remain about either incompetence or corruption within the police and about why earlier inquiries failed.
It says an awful lot about the state of British journalism and the lengths some papers are prepared to go to to get a good story, about what papers we read and why. It raises issues about the ownership of all our media, and the sometimes unhealthy influence of one individual or organsiation on our politics and government. Papers like the Guardian and politicians like John Watson are to be applauded for raising these issues at a time they were being suppressed or simply swept under the carpet.
I think we may have regained our appetite for truly independent journalism. Some good will come of this!
Published Wednesday 27th July 2011
Tuesday 19 July 2011
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Happy New Year
Yes I know, a daft title seeing as we are well into February but as it is my first blog of 2011, here goes. In fact it has been a beautiful spring-like day with plenty of sunshine. The snowdrops are out and I look forward to seeing the first crocuses, daffs and other wild flowers very soon now, not to mention hedgehogs emerging from hibernation, to join the squirrels, foxes, robins and blackbirds that are about all the time. The snows and hard frost of December now seem a lifetime away.
So what does 2011 bring? So far we have had stories of cuts in local services - today it was Manchester where swimming pools,libaries and public toilets are due to close, but I welcome the news that the Chancellor will charge the banks a yearly levy and so he should! George Osborne is taking a pragmatic decision which may not ride well with his friends in the City but will be seen by the rest of us as perfectly fair. The coalition may tell us that there is no alternative but I have heard it all before. Remember Mrs Thatcher? There is always a choice and we have to try and get it right.
The other story which has caught my attention is the proposed sale of the forests and woodland which no-one in the Government seems able to justify. This has particularly enraged people in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire - an area I know very well. Bordering onto the beautiful Wye Valley and Wales it is a very special part of the country. As is the Lake District. On last week's Question Time which came from Workington in Cumbria, the audience were equally incensed at these plans. One member of the audience, a man in a hat who I happen to know, described it as a sham! To loud applause he also told the minister on the panel (Damian Green, who seemed out of his depth) to leave our forests alone and do something sensible instead. I agree and I hope the Government will re-consider these daft plans as the countryside and wildlife should be there for all of us to enjoy.
I have already started keeping a diary and I resolve for the rest of the year to update this blog at least once a week. Watch this space!
So what does 2011 bring? So far we have had stories of cuts in local services - today it was Manchester where swimming pools,libaries and public toilets are due to close, but I welcome the news that the Chancellor will charge the banks a yearly levy and so he should! George Osborne is taking a pragmatic decision which may not ride well with his friends in the City but will be seen by the rest of us as perfectly fair. The coalition may tell us that there is no alternative but I have heard it all before. Remember Mrs Thatcher? There is always a choice and we have to try and get it right.
The other story which has caught my attention is the proposed sale of the forests and woodland which no-one in the Government seems able to justify. This has particularly enraged people in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire - an area I know very well. Bordering onto the beautiful Wye Valley and Wales it is a very special part of the country. As is the Lake District. On last week's Question Time which came from Workington in Cumbria, the audience were equally incensed at these plans. One member of the audience, a man in a hat who I happen to know, described it as a sham! To loud applause he also told the minister on the panel (Damian Green, who seemed out of his depth) to leave our forests alone and do something sensible instead. I agree and I hope the Government will re-consider these daft plans as the countryside and wildlife should be there for all of us to enjoy.
I have already started keeping a diary and I resolve for the rest of the year to update this blog at least once a week. Watch this space!
Friday 29 October 2010
Welcome
Hello and welcome to the new John B-S blog.
On these pages you will be able to read my exciting thoughts on the news of the day and anything I've been up to IF I want to tell you.
I have just heard Robert Plant with the Band of Joy broadcast live from the Roundhouse in Camden Town, as part of the BBC Electric Proms. Very enjoyable for us Led Zeppelin fans but the set from Elton John and Leon Russell on Thursday night was even better. I will go out and buy the new album or perhaps it will appear in my Christmas stocking!
The news continues to be depressing with more cuts announced by the coalition government every week. The plans to cap housing benefit sound ok until you realise huge numbers of people will find themselves homeless, especially in London. Meanwhile the threat of a fire strike in the capital on and around Bonfire Night is a cause for real concern. Personally I blame both sides for this dispute, and the sooner they sort it out, the better.
The poppy appeal has started and I always support it, because the the ex-servicemen and women deserve our thanks and we should remember many made the ultimate sacrifice. I learn that this year many tube trains won't run on Remembrance Sunday. Transport for London argue that essential work is needed on the Underground, but this will surely mean many war veterans won't be able get to the Cenotaph that day. It's a disgrace and I have written to the mayor about it. If Boris sends me a reply, I will let you know.
This weekend I will tune in to Tony Blackburn as he does his final breakfast shows for Smooth Radio. It is true his jokes don't get any better but he is a friendly voice on the radio and has kept us entertained over the years. Next week he takes over Pick of the Pops on Radio 2.
I am enjoying the appearances of Ann Widdecombe on Strictly. Other dancers may be more talented, graceful or even competent but the sight of her suspended on a trapeze last week was the funniest thing I have seen in ages. This week she struts her stuff to Wild Thing! Meanwhile over on X-Factor the bickering continues. We can look forward to a halloween theme tonight including Wagner's rendition of Bat Out Of Hell. After that, Piers Morgan talks to Rod Stewart. Or you could watch Elton John night on BBC 2, while Neil Diamond is live on Radio 2 as the BBC Electric Proms concludes on Saturday night.
If you enjoy this blog do tell your friends or you could try my afternoon show. I am on Mondays 2 - 4pm on Radio Verulam 92.6 in St Albans or http://www.radioverulam.com/
Cheers
John B-S
On these pages you will be able to read my exciting thoughts on the news of the day and anything I've been up to IF I want to tell you.
I have just heard Robert Plant with the Band of Joy broadcast live from the Roundhouse in Camden Town, as part of the BBC Electric Proms. Very enjoyable for us Led Zeppelin fans but the set from Elton John and Leon Russell on Thursday night was even better. I will go out and buy the new album or perhaps it will appear in my Christmas stocking!
The news continues to be depressing with more cuts announced by the coalition government every week. The plans to cap housing benefit sound ok until you realise huge numbers of people will find themselves homeless, especially in London. Meanwhile the threat of a fire strike in the capital on and around Bonfire Night is a cause for real concern. Personally I blame both sides for this dispute, and the sooner they sort it out, the better.
The poppy appeal has started and I always support it, because the the ex-servicemen and women deserve our thanks and we should remember many made the ultimate sacrifice. I learn that this year many tube trains won't run on Remembrance Sunday. Transport for London argue that essential work is needed on the Underground, but this will surely mean many war veterans won't be able get to the Cenotaph that day. It's a disgrace and I have written to the mayor about it. If Boris sends me a reply, I will let you know.
This weekend I will tune in to Tony Blackburn as he does his final breakfast shows for Smooth Radio. It is true his jokes don't get any better but he is a friendly voice on the radio and has kept us entertained over the years. Next week he takes over Pick of the Pops on Radio 2.
I am enjoying the appearances of Ann Widdecombe on Strictly. Other dancers may be more talented, graceful or even competent but the sight of her suspended on a trapeze last week was the funniest thing I have seen in ages. This week she struts her stuff to Wild Thing! Meanwhile over on X-Factor the bickering continues. We can look forward to a halloween theme tonight including Wagner's rendition of Bat Out Of Hell. After that, Piers Morgan talks to Rod Stewart. Or you could watch Elton John night on BBC 2, while Neil Diamond is live on Radio 2 as the BBC Electric Proms concludes on Saturday night.
If you enjoy this blog do tell your friends or you could try my afternoon show. I am on Mondays 2 - 4pm on Radio Verulam 92.6 in St Albans or http://www.radioverulam.com/
Cheers
John B-S
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