16·03·10 Week 11 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel THE BBC NEWSPAPER
Fill up on espresso and put fuel in your tank a Pages 8-9 ph otogra ph: OLIVIA WOOD OLIVIA ph: H ANOTHER CLASS ACT OUSE
SCHOOL REPORT DAy ◆Ellie Crisell, reporter/ presenter BBC News, with pupils from the Bridge learning campus in South Bristol Page 4
◆ Christian Aid will ◆ ‘If Wogan can, so ◆ No weak links complain to Trust can you’: campaigners allowed as quiz show about aid report Page 2 get people online Page 6 moves quayside Page 7
> NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 8-9 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 162 News aa 00·00·08 16·03·10 NEWS BITES a bbc stands by aid New Doctor Who Matt Smith, and assistant Karen Gillen, are going on tour, starting in Belfast on March 29 and visiting Inverness, Sunderland, Room 2316, White City documentary Salford and Northampton. Each place 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS will host a premiere of episode one, 020 8008 4228 The Eleventh Hour, in partnership with Editor BBC Outreach. Events will be held Candida Watson 02-84222 at BBC Big Screens in Edinburgh, Deputy editor Manchester, Swansea, London and Plymouth from April 1 to April 3. Cathy Loughran 02-27360 Chief writer JOSH DUBOVIE, 19, from Basildon, Sally Hillier 02-26877 Essex, will sing the UK entry, written Features editor by Pete Waterman and Mike Stock, Clare Bolt 02-27445 on the Eurovision Song Contest Broadcast Journalists in Oslo in May. He won the public Claire Barrett 02-27368 vote in Your Country Needs You!, Adam Bambury 02-27410 broadcast BBC One on Friday. Lisette Johnston 02-27630 Rumeana Jahangir 01-43756 A CD made from a BBC Jersey AV Manager radio programme, outlining the choices available to men Peter Roach 02-24622 diagnosed with prostate cancer, Art editor has generated thousands of orders. Ken Sinyard 02-84229 The cd, Everyman’s Journey, has Digital Design Executive been made widely available at GP David Murray 02-27380 surgeries and pharmacies on the Bob Geldof visits an emergency centre in Lalibela Ethiopia in 1985 island, and copies are also being Guest contributors this week distributed on the mainland. by Candida Watson ey Peberdy gave him for it went to the TPLF hi- erarchy. Proximity London has been Rory Cellan Jones, the ‘accidental The controversy caused by the BBC World Serv- Andrew Hogg, head of media at Christian appointed – subject to contract miracle’ of the web Page 6 ice Assignment report on aid to Ethiopia in the Aid, told Ariel: ‘The impression the programme – to handle TV Licensing’s direct 1980s shows no signs of abating, with the char- gave was that Max Peberdy had the wool pulled marketing and printing services for ROB BROOMBY, verifying a Hero of ity Christian Aid preparing a formal complaint over his eyes by the TPLF. Yet in his book he gave the next five years. The contract will the Holocaust. Page 5 to the Trust about the programme. The chari- a lengthy explanation of the trouble he took to apply to the main direct marketing Ann Gannon, on Hot Shoeing it to ty’s directors took the decision at a meeting on ensure the aid went where it should have.’ activity conducted by TV Licensing, The One Show. Page 14 Monday. Hogg also says that the programme gave ‘the including reminder letters. Bob Geldof, the man behind Band Aid and distinct impression’ that 95 percent of aid do- Live Aid has been vitriolic in his anger about nated in 1985 was siphoned off by the TPLF to The new bbc.co.uk homepage, the report. He has called for World Service New fund its war. launched internally last year, is now Ariel mail Africa Editor Martin Plaut, who made the doc- In a statement the BBC says: ‘The programme going public. Users can access it from [email protected] umentary, to be sacked, along with Andrew made clear that the assertion that 95 percent of the current homepage at bbc.co.uk Whitehead, WS head of news and current af- the aid routed through the TPLF relief society by clicking the beta link at the top of Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel fairs, and WS director Peter Horrocks. Geldof was diverted for other purposes was made by the page, above the navigation bar. BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 accused the World Service of ‘intense systemic a once high-ranking TPLF figure, now in exile. The new navigation bar will Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 failure’, and says the documentary has been ut- It is entirely correct to report these comments, soon be rolled out across all BBC BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 terly discredited by experts in the field. which are his own and not those of the BBC. online services. More at www. Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS The documentary, and the news reports They relate only to aid for areas then held by bbc.co.uk/home/feedback Advertise in Ariel which followed it, infuriated and alarmed not TPLF rebels, and not to the total famine relief Ten Alps Media 020 7878 2313 just Geldof but a number of charities. They say effort for Africa.’ An EGM (extraordinary general www.bbcarielads.com it gave too much credit to the claims of two It also points out that the documentary cit- meeting) of the BBC London Club former members of the Tigrean People’s Libera- ed supporting evidence from a CIA report and a will be held on March 31 at 12.30pm Printing tion Front that they had diverted money meant former US charge d’affaires to Addis Ababa. in the Club, 4th floor, TVC. There will Garnett Dickinson Group for food aid to funding their fighters. Hogg says: ‘The onus isn’t on us to prove that be a chance to vote to register a new Rotherham 01709 768000 One charity which is particularly angry is nothing was stolen, the onus is on the BBC to company as BBC Club Sports and Subscribe to Ariel Christian Aid. It feels the documentary ma- prove that 95 percent of the aid, as was alleged in Leisure Ltd. Email any questions or Six months: £26, £36, £40 ligned one of its former workers, Max Peber- that programme, actually went to buy weapons.’ feedback to [email protected]. Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 dy, who wrote a book about his work in Afri- The BBC said: ‘This was a well researched pro- ca. In the programme he explained to Plaut gramme and the BBC stands by the journalism.’ The BBC Black and Asian Forum (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world how he bought aid from local merchants. One The BBC Trust has yet to receive a formal AGM with Mark Thompson, respectively) of Plaut’s interviewees said the ‘grain’ he sold complaint, but Ariel has been told that Chris- due to to be held on March Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, to Peberdy was mostly sand and that the mon- tian Aid will be making one. 18, has been postponed. Brookfields Way, Manvers, Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL Tel 01709 768199 INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY Saba dedicated the award to the ‘hun- the expectations of the opposition, Telephone 0800 0688 159 dreds of young citizen journalists who nonetheless our coverage remained A night of smiles sent in UGC material in breach of [the impartial and objective.’ Ceefax Page 159 www.bbc.co.uk/159 government]’. It was, he said, ‘a great Persian TV also scooped team of Ariel is produced by Internal honour for a young channel. Despite the year, pipping BBC Janala – a World Communications for people at the BBC for Persian TV animosity from the government and Service Trust project to teach people in Bangladesh to speak English via by Clare Bolt ‘how multimedia interaction could their mobiles. BBC Janala later saw off nearly bring down a political regime’, Persian TV’s graphics team, to win the u BBC Persian stole the show at last while Persian radio and online won global news craft award. week’s Global Reith awards, having best service (newsgathering) for Zia Zahak, office manager of the experienced a ‘baptism of fire’ when reporting ‘quickly and accurately the Kabul bureau, was named individual PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL the 2009 Iranian elections were called fast-moving events in Tehran’. Persian of the year, while Shihan Zuberi, who within six months of its launch in Jan- tv took the prize for the best service George Alagiah with works for the World Service Trust in uary 2009. (output) for covering the biggest glo- Shihar Zuberi, who Bangladesh, won the Kari Blackburn Interactive tv show Nowbat e Sho- bal breaking news event ‘in the face of won the Kari new talent award. News planning edi- ma , which won the best global news fierce intimidation from authorities’. Blackburn new tor Anna Williams won the outstand- output prize (multimedia), showed Head of the Persian service Sadeq talent award ing contribution award.
> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 16·03·10 News 3 Comedy Flat-pack installation costs comparable to basing coverage in Jo’burg and live music Cape Town’s rooftop studio focus on R2 by Sally Hillier ‘ticks all the World Cup boxes’
Specially-commissioned shows with by Cathy Loughran issues of ‘commercial sensitivity’: ‘We have done Richard Wilson and Ricky Tomlin- an extensive budgeting exercise which shows son, a series from Irish stand-up Ja- The BBC’s controversial rooftop studio in Cape the costs for our facilities in Cape Town are com- son Byrne, and a panel game called Town, with its views of Table Mountain, won out parable with those at the International Broad- Never Write Off The Germans (part of the over every other World Cup location because no- cast Centre,’ she said. World Cup celebrations) are among where else ‘ticked all the boxes’, says the tourna- Numbers of BBC staff travelling to South Af- comedy highlights of a revamped Ra- ment’s executive producer Phil Bigwood. rica – also widely reported – are likely to be 295 dio 2 schedule from this spring. Writing on the sport editor’s blog at the week- or less. Sport will send 190 (20 fewer than went The changes follow the strategy end, amid a flurry of renewed press criticism of to Germany in 2006); the BBC Radio contingent review announcement that the net- the BBC’s decision to spend a reported £1m on will be 48 (also 20 down on 2006); and News work would shift comedy, live music the bespoke studio, Bigwood says the BBC team promises to send fewer than the 57 journalists and documentaries into higher pro- thought long and hard before opting to shun fa- it had at the last tournament. file slots. Starting on April 3 theCome - cilities at the International Broadcast Centre in More than 70 Sport staff will be based in Jo- dy Hour will move to Saturday nights, Johannesburg, where the Soccer City stadium hannesburg to access feeds coming into the IBC. between 10-11pm. will host the World Cup final. And around 35 people will travel back to the UK From April 5 documentary pro- TV Centre in London was also ruled out be- early as the number of games reduces. gramming moves to Monday, Tuesday cause basing coverage outside South Africa If the numbers still look lavish, compared and Wednesday nights, also between would not meet audience expectations, he says, to ITV’s 140-160, Bigwood points out that BBC 10-11pm. The output will include nor offer adequate facilities to broadcast World TV will be covering 32 games live and will have Tony Bennett in conversation with Cup action in high definition. games as Soccer City, a thousand miles away. around 110 hours of domestic World Cup cover- Michael Parkinson, profiles of enter- ‘After much debate, we went for Cape Town England will play in Cape Town against Alge- age across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three. In tainers like Tommy Cooper and Bob and our studio will be on the roof of a hospital, ria and could potentially return for a semi-final, around 250 hours of coverage, BBC Radio will Monkhouse, and a 60s season includ- with great views of Table Mountain. Robben Is- Bigwood says. take all matches live, including all the 5 live pro- ing programmes on John F Kennedy, land, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, ‘This one venue ticked all the sporting, politi- grammes being presented from South Africa. David Frost and The Hollies. is also visible and downtown Cape Town, where cal and cultural boxes we felt needed ticking. No More than 100 hours of red button coverage and Continuing its commitment to live he made his historic address from City Hall fol- other location came close.’ 100 hours of content on the BBC Sport website music, Radio 2 will broadcast a two- lowing his release,’ the exec explains. Unusually, the glass-sided studio will be flat- are also planned. hour weekly In Concert programme on ‘We chose those views because we believe packed with a view to reusing it at other events. With fewer than 100 days to go, Bigwood Thursdays (from April 15) with pre- they are the ones that will resonate most with Newspaper estimates that the BBC’s multi- promises more detail of the BBC coverage in fu- senters like Jo Whiley, Mark Radcliffe UK viewers. But we are perfectly placed for the media coverage could cost between £3m-£6m ture blogs. But he is satisfied that, in a country and Stuart Maconie. This will incor- football as well.’ are ‘pure speculation’, a spokeswoman for BBC of this size and with ‘issues around transport porate a specially recorded headline Over all, Cape Town Stadium – a few hundred Sport told Ariel, adding that the corporation and security’, the BBC would be part of ‘a pretty concert, a gig guide, a round-up of metres from the BBC base – will host as many would not discuss its World Cup budget due to lean [UK] operation’. the week’s live music across the net- work, and classic live album tracks. ‘These changes demonstrate our continuing efforts to evolve the Let’s stick to schedule and ensure that Radio 2 re- Never mind the author, mains distinctive,’ says controller Bob Shennan. what we do drama needs top content well – Lyons New radio by Sally Hillier Occupation: stripped for success The BBC must have clear boundaries reviews Ben Stephenson is on the look- to allow the public greater choice in The BBC Trust is to carry out two out for the ‘next big thing’ in the media marketplace, Michael service reviews of radio as part of its drama. After the success of Lyons believes. ongoing review programme. ‘stripped’ programmes such as If it acted in such a way as to prevent The first assessment, taking place Criminal Justice and Occupation, new entrants coming into the mar- this spring with the results due to be broadcast over days, not weeks, ket or to discourage other existing published in the winter, will look at the controller of drama com- operators from expanding, then the Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7. missioning says he is keen to range of media available to viewers The second, the timing of which is yet explore other innovative ways and listeners would be reduced,’ he to be confirmed, will assess Radio of storytelling. told the Manchester Statistical Soci- Wales, Radio Cymru, Radio Ulster/ But the key driver, he empha- ety last week. Foyle, Radio Scotland, Radio nan sises, has to be ‘great content’ – The chairman of the BBC Trust added Gaidheal and English local radio. and he isn’t worried who writes that the corporation should do only The investigations will look at sta- it. ‘You just need every script to young viewers: ‘It’s fascinating want a sympathetic, undam- what it could do well, which was why tions’ performance, focusing on the be brilliant – whether it’s by Joe that so few tv executives seem aged, affluent hero, you’ve got the strategy review had established categories of usage, quality, distinc- Bloggs or Andrew Davies,’ he to feel empowered to embrace to have long frocks as well [ie a five priority areas [the best journal- tiveness and value for money. Each told a TV Drama Forum organ- the older audience,’ he said. period drama],’ he said. ism in the world; inspiring knowl- review will include a 12 week period ised by Broadcast magazine. ‘Tv isn’t really for the young; It was different in the US edge, music and culture; ambitious UK of consultation in which the public Despite growth in on-de- they have different ways of where ‘aspirational tv’ was part drama and comedy; outstanding chil- can give their views on the services. mand and mobile viewing, spending their time. When of the culture, hence its glossy dren’s content; events that bring com- ‘We’ll also be looking at the BBC’s Stephenson thought there was people get to about 30 and have sitcoms, films and drama series munities and the nation together]. future plans for the stations to ensure still an appetite for viewing in mortgages and children, they populated by characters who He defended the trust and its role, they are robust and deliverable,’ ex- the traditional way – with fam- can’t go out every night, so were doing well and lived in pointing out that it had two kinds of plains David Liddiment, chair of the ilies gathered round a tv set. [start watching] television.’ Manhattan loft apartments. critics – political and commercial – trust’s audience and performance ‘The vast majority of televi- Fellowes, who wrote the ac- Britain, on the other hand, and that if changes to the governance committee. sion is still seen live,’ he said. claimed film Gosford Park, also had established a reputation of the BBC were proposed, ‘the public ‘If change is needed the trust can Earlier, actor and screen- accused British producers of for making films about, for ex- will rightly be suspicious about those alter the stations’ service licences or writer Julian Fellowes com- shying away from ‘aspiration- ample, ‘a middle aged woman seeking commercial advantage and ask the BBC executive to address the plained that the industry spent al’ characters and storylines in having a hysterectomy in Mid- those pressing for stronger political issues we raise.’ too much time trying to attract contemporary drama. ‘If you dlesbrough’. control, however it is disguised’.
4 News a 16·03·10 school report photograph: O photograph: LIVI A W OO D HO USE
Carol Kirkwood and pupils from Wildern School, near Southampton, prepare for the weather challenge Live on 5: Abba from Mayfield School, Dagenham Paxman move over From the Shetland Isles to Jersey, BBC News ers also invaded the schedules of net- an attempt to set a new world record Teachers contacted the project work, regional and local output. ‘We for the largest interactive weather team to feed back their experiences. gained an extra 700 bureaux when 25,000 linked up with 5 live and Asian Net- report, which has yet to be verified by One wrote: ‘This is the second year work and reporters were on Radio 4. the Guinness Book of Records. we have taken part and it was even school pupils became reporters for the day. It was really brilliant,’ adds Shreeve. 5 live presenter Tony Livesey, who better than last year. As a teacher the Rumeana Jahangir reports Counter to the stereotype, stu- co-hosted a midday programme for skills we require the pupils to use – dents decided to focus on heavy School Report Radio, said: ‘All the researching, summarising, prepar- stories and not celebrity-obsessed school reporters worked very hard, ing reports and interviewing – usual- School Report News Day, now editor of School Report. ‘More than fodder. knew their stuff and were great guests ly take a hard slog to get across. But in its fourth year, involved not just 700 schools took part with students Highlights of the day included on the show. One reporter, called Mol- I had a whole year group confidently thousands of students but 380 BBC gathering and broadcasting their a thought-provoking piece on the ly, did particularly well. She inter- researching, making decisions, sum- mentors. stories.’ impact of repatriations in Wootton viewed David Cameron and when we marising to a brief and having lots of ‘I knew it was much bigger [this The students’ work was showcased Bassett, link-ups with children in Haiti asked how she got on she said that he fun while doing them. Brilliant!’ year], but it was even bigger than on two special channels on Red But- and interviews with the leaders of the didn’t give her a straight answer! A Ms She added: ‘My memory of today I thought,’ said Helen Shreeve, ton and online but the school report- main political parties. There was also Paxman for the future, maybe?’ is the look of concentration and the care being taken by a pupil – who usually has a very short attention span and is not the most able of pu- pils – over his autocue.’ Mark Byford, deputy director gen- eral, who’s at home with a broken leg, sent the team a congratulatory email. He said: ‘One of the advantages, if there are any at all of lying flat out horizontal at home, is that today I can immerse myself in one of the best part- nership initiatives the BBC does. My own wife, Hilary, was in school at 7am preparing the Westgate School contri- bution.’ Helen Boaden, director of News, said: ‘I know that School Report day requires lots of energy and effort by many teams and generosity on the part of editors across the UK. But it is so worth it. The excitement and enthu- siasm of the children is wonderful to behold.’ You can see what the young reporters did here: www.bbc.co.uk/ Pupils from St Katherine’s school, Bristol, with Sarah Ransome A very enthusiastic Ellie from Bridge Learning Campus in South Bristol schoolreport a 16·03·10 Features 5
Clare Bolt meets duo going live from SxSW A lot to ask from
Festival goers: Michelle texas Martin and Julian Siddle You’re unlikely to see many lami- flew out to Austin with producer Martin pitched to put language. up, by getting them to take part in the nated programmes swinging from the Julian Siddle last week. ‘It’s where on a Digital Planet ‘When you’re do- quiz through the SxSW app, and vote necks of the festival-goers at South all the big thinkers and the heads of ‘event’. ‘Austin is ing a live quiz with on which team’s answer they like the by Southwest. Why rely on an out-of- emerging companies go, but it’s not ‘We wanted some- hundreds of guests most,’ Martin says. date, muddied bit of paper to find out like CES [the world’s largest con- thing that involved where all who are plugged To crack the logistics of putting on what’s going on, when you can down- sumer technology tradeshow] – this audience interaction into their mobiles a live quiz, she even shadowed Radio load an app and skim through 4000 is about technology and culture and and thought it would the big and laptops, you 4’s News Quiz before she left. ‘I learnt events on your touch screen? future trends.’ be fun to do a quiz can’t oversimplify how many rounds you can fit in half A set of interactive, film and mu- The team was reporting on the show,’ she says. The it, as it would be a an hour, how much to record in terms sic festivals and conferences, SxSW festival for World Service tech show idea won an online thinkers bit naff,’ Siddle says. of what you will edit down...’ takes place in Austin Texas each Digital Planet. The festival, Martin says, SxSW vote, but ampli- Instead, tech terms Once the edit’s done and the show spring. It was last year’s festival that is ‘perfect’ for them, as like their fied the show’s nor- go’ were kept to a mini- goes live this Tuesday, there will be nudged Twitter into the mainstream – programme, it’s about the intersec- mal challenges. mum and the quiz time to down tools (or apps) and do and there’s a pretty good chance that tion between culture and technology As well as appeal- was given a global some creative ‘intermingling’. the ‘festival app’ will have found its – neatly illustrated by the fact that ing to a live theatre audience of ‘uber- feel by finding examples from differ- ‘We’re going for the techy bit and way to Glastonbury by the summer. the ‘pop up’ music events around the geeks who are fascinated by detail’, ent countries. staying for the music,’ Martin smiles. Where SxSW lead, others follow... city are sponsored by AOL and not by they had to ensure the quiz didn’t lose ‘We tried to capture the audi- ‘South by Southwest is unique,’ Budweiser. its World Service audience, not all of ence’s attention with the tech bit and Digital Planet’s SxSW quiz, March says producer Michelle Martin, who This year, instead of a straight OB, whom speak English as their first then kept the level of participation 16, World Service English
By Rob Broomby Germany. Anyone who couldn’t keep up was shot. It was mid- Rarely, in these days of on- How a BBC investigation found winter, bitterly cold, with tem- line archives and desk bound peratures plunging to minus research, does the break- 30, shoes – as other accounts through in a long investiga- have verified – often made the tion come by knocking on difference between life and doors the old fashioned way. genuine ‘Hero of the Holocaust’ death. And so it was with Ernst But so it was with the case Lobethal. of Denis Avey. At 91, the bi- ing a story about former POWs ‘Ginger’ who had, against the The Holocaust Memorial zarre story of his time as a seeking compensation for the odds, smuggled cigarettes and Museum of Yad Vashem in Je- POW in a camp connected to slave labour they’d been forced chocolate from England to him rusalem is considering Denis Auschwitz and how he helped to do for German companies. inside Auschwitz. Avey for the honour of ‘Right- a young German Jew, Ernst Over the years I tried to verify ‘It was like being given the eous among the Nations’, the Lobethal, survive the concen- his tale, but could never trace Rockefeller Centre,’ Ernst re- citation reserved for the likes tration camp by smuggling the only known link between called. of Oskar Schindler, the Ger- him cigarettes, might have re- Ernst and Denis, Ernst’s sister He explained, with lip-bit- man businessman who saved mained just a tale; an impossi- Susanna. Eventually Patrick ing emotion, how he traded thousands of Jews. The condi- ble story to verify. and I decided to go to her last the cigarettes for favours in tions are rigorous, the bar is But when my producer known address in Solihull, and the camp, high. If Denis Avey qualifies Patrick Howse and I finally look for her. which en- – and it is still not certain tracked down the one person In a remarkable stroke of abled him he will – the honour will be who could help us confirm luck, the people at the property to get his the result of an old fashioned his story, alive and well in the had lived there for 60 years – and shoes re- piece of BBC journalism and Midlands, we began a process they knew Susannah. They sent soled, which persistent research. Should it happen I am sure Denis Avey which would result in Denis us to another house – she wasn’t Crowning moment: Denis Avey, flanked by producer Patrick in turn saved will accept it with the same Avey being honoured by the there. We worked our way down Howse and World Service reporter Rob Broomby, at Number Ten his life. As the Prime Minister in Downing the street, knocking on doors un- Russians ad- humility with which he re- Street and being awarded a til we found a man who had Su- vanced, Ausch- ceived his medal last week. ‘It medal as one of Britain’s He- sanna’s phone number. Within life, but that he’d had a long ceived a copy of a vid- witz was for- is the crowning moment of my roes of the Holocaust. ‘I can an hour we were talking to her. and prosperous life in the Unit- eo interview Ernst made cibly cleared, life,’ he told me. As he is fond now die a happy man,’ he said, She told us not only had ed States. shortly before his death in t h e inmates tak- of reminding Patrick and I, when the ceremony was over. Ernst survived the war, always The emotional dynamite 2001, in which he recalled the en on what became known as ‘It’s you two who opened this I first met Denis while- do crediting Denis with saving his for our film came when we re- British soldier he knew only as the Death March towards can of worms.’
6 Features a 16·03·10 cutting edge You just have RORY CELLAN-JONES to get started Whither the web? It has been an accidental miracle by Candida Watson The drive to help more of the audience get online, – 20 years ago a scientist came up with a simple way of sharing information on the internet with The Radio 2 cam- one of the BBC’s six public purposes, has stepped up his colleagues around the world, and now it has paign has had revolutionised the way we all communicate. But an astonishing a gear this month, with the launch of Radio 2’s Get where does the web head next? response – in just Connected campaign, and a week of special output As part of the BBC’s Superpower season one week 10,000 I set off to ask scientists that question. They people asked for on BBC Two business programme Working Lunch painted a picture of a much smarter, more the station’s Get pervasive web, one where all the world’s data Connected leaflet, can be linked up and then interrogated. ‘What which details how launched his Popmaster quiz on the Radio 2 cism and wariness, but is enthusiastic once it will deliver is a much more refined search,’ to find help in get- site, and Simon Mayo’s Confessions strand is they discover its benefits. Too many of our says Professor Nigel Shadbolt of Southamp- ting online and learning how to use the in- now online, with contributors asked to email viewers – and Terry’s listeners – have yet to ton University. So you’ll be able to ask it quite ternet. It offers advice on how to get start- rather than write in. be tempted onto the web. We hope this will detailed questions – ‘tell me how I can cycle ed, Terry Wogan’s top tips – number 1 being On tv Working Lunch is devoting this week be the extra sweetener they need.’ home avoiding the most dangerous roads’ – ‘you can’t break it!’ – a guide to frequent- to helping viewers get online, previewing To that end Curry’s colleague Naga Mun- and it will provide answers, plotted on a map. ly used terms which new users might find a push by the Digital Inclusion Unit to en- chetty is out and about in Northern Ireland, We think of the web now as something we baffling, like ADSL and ISP, and a beginners’ courage businesses to help those who can’t stopping people in the street and encour- approach via a computer, using a keyboard. guide to blogs, podcasts and Twitter. aging them to get online, and the pro- But, according to another Southampton Uni- Says project co-ordinator Bequi Sheehan: gramme’s regular money saving slot will versity scientist, Dame Wendy Hall, that’s ‘It has been really great. We’ve said to people, One silver surfer in look at the simple ways the internet can about to change: ‘I’m amazed that we’re still for years you might have felt left out of this help users cut costs. tied to keyboards,’ she says. ‘We’ll be able to club – now we can help you be part of it.’ Liverpool learned who Munchetty says: ‘I know that I’m proba- access the internet wherever we are, what- All of Radio 2’s presenters are taking part, bly the one member of our team who isn’t ever we’re doing, almost in a device-free way. with Wogan leading the campaign with the his father was from particularly savvy about technology, but my We may see it through our glasses, or some slogan, ‘If I can do it, you can do it’. desire to get the best value means I check sort of visor.’ Professor Hall believes the Sheehan says already there have been an online search prices online all the time, especially for big browser will disappear and that we’ll interact some success stories, from the 80 year-old purchases. I’d be worried about paying over with the web through applications, much as who wanted to get online so she could Sky- the odds if I couldn’t compare prices online people already do with smartphones. pe her family in Australia, to a woman who currently afford to get connected. Present- or take advantage of special online deals. And it won’t just be only ever used her pc as a typewriter. She er Declan Curry has made a short film with I’ve just found some coat hooks to go in my people online. More was talked through the process of connect- Wogan, in which they swap tips and favour- rather oddly shaped coat cupboard.’ Engineers and more objects – ing to the web live on the Jeremy Vine show, ite sites, smoothing the message with wit The programme will also have films from cars to heart by the presenter and Martha Lane Fox, head and whimsy. about the many initiatives to encourage in- joke that monitors – will be of the government’s Digital Inclusion Unit. Says Curry: ‘Those who haven’t discov- ternet take-up, including a ‘silver surfers’ hooked up to the web Elsewhere popular programme fea- ered the joy of the internet by now want a group in Liverpool, where one man learns it’s on the leading to a grow- tures have also gone online. Ken Bruce has trusted guide who shares their own scepti- who his father was from an online search. ing flood of data. verge of Where will that data be stored? In the cloud, collapse of course; in other words in the vast data- centres being built by Google and Microsoft. It’s clear that the web’s future is mobile – and for most of the billions who join it over the next few years their first experience will be via a mobile phone. One of the mobile in- dustry’s big thinkers, Benoit Schillings, says that will make us even more dependent on the web: ‘We assume now that it is something we have with us all the time. So when you lose your phone it becomes a disaster – it’s now an essential part of how human beings function.’ But as the web grows ever more integral to our lives, is it in danger of breaking down? ‘The running joke in the engineering commu- nity is that the internet is always on the verge of collapse,’ says Craig Labovitz of Arbor Net- works. He’s optimistic that the internet will continue to mend itself. But there will be a battle for its soul. It has grown without much guidance from govern- ments or corporations, but increasingly will be dominated by a few giant players: ‘There are no guarantees that it will carry on to evolve the way it is now – open, free and with universal standards,’ says Wendy Hall. ‘If you lose that or the standards are taken over by a commercial concern, the web will change dramatically.’ Rory Cellan-Jones is technology correspondent Working together: Declan Curry and Terry Wogan team up for the campaign, sharing jokes – and a few tips for using the internet a 16·03·10 Features 7
Part of the team: Front row: Nick Gunaydin (producer); Laura Wallace (travel co-ordinator); Rob High (production manager); Alex McLeod (exec producer); Jayne Stanger (exec producer). Middle row: Clare Sweeney and Kim Winston (contestant researchers); Anne Robinson. Back row: Heather Nicol (production manager); Rebecca Shepherd and Mark Johnson (contestant researchers); Donna MacLeod (costume designer); Anna Lubbock (makeup designer); Lisa Doherty (contestant runner); Gail Hamilton (contestant researcher); Sarah Collins (contestant AP); Laura Stebbing (contestant researcher) Glasgow gets the wink first weeks in its new home. Many of ent for a director with five cameras to Hostile environment training was Weakest Link has said ‘goodbye’ to them had worked on the show since marshal. ‘It depends on the personal- not offered to the Glasgow team, de- the start and felt an understandable ities, who gets voted off, which podi- spite the fact they were to be thrown Pinewood, as Claire Barrett reports sense of loss, says director John Smith. ums are vacated…’ into a ring with Anne Robinson. ‘She ‘But they were more than generous has a reputation,’ concedes Smith, ‘but in passing on their knowledge, tips Taking over the building she’s a professional who turned up People in Azerbaijan have been wiser. ‘People think Weakest Link is an and experience and, if there was any While the set was transported in total- and did her job wonderfully well, with cowed by an authoritarian chief, easy show to make,’ sighs producer Gil- resentment, I didn’t sense it.’ ity from Pinewood, requiring just ‘a courtesy towards the crew. We can just Nigerians will soon be slinking down lian McNeil during a breather from An experienced hand, and a regular bit of spit and polish here and there’, learn at the feet of the master.’ the Walk of Shame, while those in a full-on studio schedule. ‘It is a well on events like the Cenotaph and Chel- PQ did have to adapt to accommodate Robinson has not acquired a Glaswe- Hong Kong have been banking before oiled machine, but it’s only a well oiled sea Flower Show, Smith accepts that the new arrival. ‘We’ve slightly tak- gian twang in the transition, announc- the buzzer. The Weakest Link has trav- machine as long as everyone knows Weakest Link is formulaic and no place en over the building,’ confesses Mc- er Jon Briggs has survived the move elled the globe, its format franchised what they’re doing.’ for ‘the crea- tive beast Neil who has commandeered meet- and contestants remain geographi- by BBC Worldwide in more than 70 inside want- i n g ing rooms for casting sessions and cally spread. Any temptation to shout countries. Against the clock to change pre-show filming and partitioned the from the rooftops that Weakest Link is But the quickfire general knowl- To this end, McNeil and fellow pro- every- green room for dual use. With filming made in Glasgow has been subdued, edge quiz’s recent short haul hop ducer Nick Gunaydin shadowed their thing’, for Eggheads – another network com- with only a modest BBC Scotland logo may have further reaching implica- Pinewood counterparts before Christ- but in- mission – taking place concurrently, in the final credits offering any clue. tions for the BBC. After ten years of mas and took the reins – under su- sists that care was taken to ‘keep the two sets of ‘We’ll judge we’ve been successful if production by London in-house ents pervision – for a batch of shows. ‘It’s a e a c h contestants apart so they didn’t end nobody notices that the programme – the last eight of them at Pinewood tough job,’ reflects the producer, who show is up on the wrong programme’. has moved,’ says McNeil firmly. in Bucks – the BBC One daytime staple judges this prior experience invalua- differ- Well, maybe the commissioners has decamped, lock, stock and Anne ble. ‘It’s like being live as it’s against should sit up. With the crew largely Robinson wink, to Glasgow’s Pacif- the clock. As a producer you have to BBC staff, a bank of experienced en- ic Quay. BBC Scotland producers and be across the questions, ensure Anne ‘We’ll tertainment programme makers is directors are now at the helm, with Robinson doesn’t slip up, make quick being established on the banks of the the 56-strong crew locally sourced. It’s decisions… You cannot afford to stop have been Clyde. It could prove crucial in win- a giant step towards the BBC’s Out of and start.’ ning future network commissions London pledge to increase network To keep pace with Pinewood, the PQ successful to add to the cluster of strand moves output from Scotland from 3.3 to 8.6 team will deliver 53 programmes, in- that also includes Imagine and The percent by 2016. volving nine contestants per show, dur- Review Show. ‘It’s a very big deal for For the Glasgow team – who are two ing its six week turn in the studio. if nobody us,’ says McNeil. ‘Weakest Link is a huge thirds through their first filming block A transition team of 13 from Pine- show, a respected show, with a large – the plan was to stick to a tried and wood – everyone from lighting di- notices it’s production team. It’s a great boost for tested format, mimic London’s slick rector to make-up artist – made the Glasgow.’ approach and leave viewers none the trip north for Weakest Link’s moved’ PQ Weakest Link, BBC One, March 22 BBC IN A 8 CTION 9 shameless PlUG blogbites Hugh Levinson @ Radio Current Affairs week work BANG ! What we’ve found u In my spare time I play in a hot little combo, Trade Secrets: The Trouser Band, and we are doing a free gig on GOES THE while trawling the March 20 to celebrate the release of our new cd. CAR Our new release is a mini album with seven blogs this week songs, four of which I wrote at home using just some everyday utensils and sticky back plastic. 6 Music Searches for The Axe Factor They cover the full gamut of human experience, Recently guitar legends Jeff Beck and Eric from the appeal of winter light to the transience How to run Clapton co-headlined a show for the first time. of human existence. There is one about a guy who This, after the news that a ‘new’ Jimi Hendrix never gets texted, and another about the quest for album was due, prompted a discussion at 6 fame, called I Want My 15 Minutes, with references Music Towers about why these three continue to the likes of Posh, Becks and Julie Burchill. to top ‘Best Guitarist’ votes, but contemporary The three covers on the cd show the range of fret-wizards are often overlooked. We started our influences, like the Texas-based singer Slaid a publicity kicking names around, and realised that, Cleaves, Townes van Zandt and an obscure early wow, there are loads: Jonny Greenwood, John reggae singer called Phyllis Dillon. Squire, Johnny Marr. That was just the Johnnys. The Trousers, as we are known to our small but Let’s do something about it, we said. occasionally enthusiastic fanbase, play a heady And so we came up with The Axe Factor – an cocktail of folk, cowboy, blues with a bit of good campaign endeavour to find the best guitarists of the old fashioned rock and roll. We’ve been together last 30 years. for years, but our repertoire has got much better By Cherelle Duggleby, marcomms Collaborating with Marketing and Mike Hanson as time has gone on! co-ordinator, and Rick Behari, media Pictures is invaluable. If you want to http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcmusic/ We are a five piece, featuring accordion and relations manager 5 promote a coherent message to the harmony vocals and for this show we’ve brought in audience, the PR, broadcast trails and pictures Neil Oliver and his grandfather’s gold watch a backing singer and a blues harp player. We’ll be on Come up with a strategy. It’s important must all be working to the same end. Neil Oliver is the historian familiar to most stage from 8.30pm, and of course there’ll be cop- to think about how the show fits in with of us from trekking around the cliffs and ies of the new cd available on the night. 1 the genre and channel messages, as this Reputation. The BBC is never out beaches of the UK in the BBC Two series Coast. There’s a sneak preview of us on YouTube – will shape what you say about a programme of the papers and not always for The Radio Café’s Chris Kane asked him about search for The Trouser Band and Seize the Day. as well as how you say it. A campaign for a 6 the right reasons. It’s vital in any A History of the World and how objects can The Trouser Band plays The Old Explorer, factual show on BBC One will be very different campaign to think about whether the content engage us with history. He also got him to Great Castle Street W1, Oxford Circus, on from one on BBC Three, from the language or promotional activities could generate nominate an object that he owns, and he March 20. you employ to the media you target. contentious press coverage or comment – chose a gold wristwatch presented to his from undercover filming to swearing. Once grandfather when he retired from Cooper and Know your target audience. Are you you know the pitfalls you need to set out a A coffee-fuelled c Co’s supermarket. ar? It’s enough to make 11,000 espressos’ worth of coffee. He start addressing heartland BBC viewers for strategy for managing them – from preparing Jeremy Clarkson drop his latte. - a detour caused by a motorway accident. On the back of the watch it says ‘in ed out at T a BBC One drama, or fans of a specific talent or production for interviews to But Jem Stansfield, co-presenter of elevision Centre last Wednes- straightforward than first imagined. How appreciation of 41 years loyal service 1913 - 2 Bang day afternoon and reached his destination ‘The journey was an endless education – - comedian with a new show on BBC Two? anticipating the audience and press reaction. Goes the Theory, decided not only to build mile by each mile – into junk-fuelled trans- ever, cruising at 65mph on the motorway 1954’. But, as Neil explains in this video, the at 10.45pm…on Thursday. felt amazing.’ inscription quietly glosses over a momentous the DeLorean-inspired car but also to drive it The car had a port,’ Stansfield said. number of breakdowns and Controlling an ex - What are you saying? Decide what you Keeping your finger on the pulse. If your from London to Manchester using more than Stansfield was plosive gas product and a 1988 sports car Bang Goes the Theory is on Mondays 7.30pm, event in world history in which his grandfather want the audience to know about the target audience is in social media spaces seven hours behind schedule – partly due to BBC One. To find out more about Jem’s cof played his part: the First World War... at the same time turned out to be even less - 3 programme, and what you want to 7 like Twitter or Facebook, think how you fee-car road trip, go to bbc.co.uk/bang. Paul Sargeant, blog editor, A History of the World achieve with your campaign. This will give you can incorporate them into your campaign. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ a set of key messages to underpin it with. ahistoryoftheworld/ Press events. Try to interact with press as What’s the story? As well as working much as possible, whether that’s inviting Firing up support in Philadelphia on the key messages, it’s important 8 the national media to a glitzy and learninG The crowd in Philadelphia went wild as the 4to think about what stories you can glamorous series launch for Strictly Come Dancing, THE I.T. CROWD president told them healthcare reform had to pitch to media. This is when the phone or organising a back-to-nature experience in curve be done now. There’s a new urgency. A new bashing starts. In order to place interviews Norfolk for tv listing magazines, to introduce If you want to check your email on someone Curve New Tools, New Ways of Working insistence. A finger-jabbing impatience after a and features in print, broadcast and online them to the new Springwatch presenting team. else’s computer, without the irritation of log- year of talking. One senator watching said he media, you need to identify an angle that will ging them off and logging yourself on, we’ve Do you know your Freesat HD from your Macbook Air, or your had new fire in his belly. changing Places suit the media outlet you are targeting – be Broadcast day – the time has got a clever trick for you. Google Nexus One from your Boxee? Teenagers in a choir who sung the national it a profile with an actor in a glossy magazine come, the programme is on If you type ‘OWA’ into the address bar of a BBC Bristol is hosting a three day event from March 23-25, anthem before the president appeared, Royal correspondent Peter Hunt (pictured) is on or an authored piece in a broadsheet by 9 air. It’s time to see whether all browser window on a BBC desktop and press exploring how new tools are changing the way we work. hugged each other and jumped up and down attachment as a political correspondent until June… the producer of an observational doc. your hard work has paid off………. return, you’ll be given a log-in box which Run by BBC Academy Future Now, it’s a chance to find out how the with sheer delight when he finished. Howard Benson, long-standing editor of 5 live’s allows you to access your email via the web. new journalism production tools will transform the newsroom, If this selected crowd were in the Senate and Up All Night, has retired and Liam Hanley takes over Don’t forget to log out and close the brows- what’s on the horizon for mobile services and how social media in the House, he’d have no problem. from him on the programme, moving from his role er completely once you’ve finished, and be can help local news teams connect with their audience. The course for you? Mark Mardell, North America editor as assistant editor on 5 live Drive… careful that you don’t tick the ‘remember my http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ From early April, BBC Jersey password’ box either. To book a place, go to tinyurl.com/newtoolsbristol Are you a pioneer of tomorrow’s tv? thereporters/markmardell/ sees Chris Stone take over the If you think you have got what it takes to be Criticism over mobile apps weekday part of the next generation of creative lead- The kerfuffle around the BBC’s move into breakfast show, ers in the television industry, then CCTV, mobile apps continues with New Media Age’s All together now....aaah: Adam Henson, Kate with Tim Pryor a new personal development and training story BBC defends move into mobile apps. Humble and other stars of Lambing Live becoming the course supported by Skillset, might be just In the piece David Newell of the Newspaper new host of the thing for you. Publishers’ Association criticised the: weekend Twenty five ambitious executives and pro- BBC Trust’s ‘current attitude and inaction... breakfast. ducers will benefit from one-on-one men- when they know that the BBC will be launching Chris Rayner toring, strategic business training, seminars such apps in direct competition with will be the new AI INDEX and events, hosted by some of the industry’s commercial operators’ paid-for or ad-funded presenter of the leading figures, designed to develop manage- apps for their online services’, lunchtime Lambing Live built up a doting was around 2.5m with around a 10 ment and leadership skills, industry profile to which a BBC Trust spokesman replied: phone-in and evening audience on BBC Two last week. percent share. and practical business knowledge. Speakers ‘Following some initial concerns they raised, drive programme. Broadcast from Sunday to ‘I’m enjoying this series which include Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, we invited the NPA to write to us explaining Radio Cumbria’s news editor, Nigel Thompson, is Thursday at 8pm, the feelgood covers a topic rarely shown on tv,’ and Wayne Garvie, managing director of con- their concerns...We’ve received their letter and off on attachment to Newsgathering for three programme was a welcome, and said a female viewer, 42. tent and production, BBC Worldwide. will look forward to discussing it with them.’ months as a reporter. Andy Whysall steps into rare, sign of spring. ‘Best thing on tv for years,’ said You’ve got until March 18 to apply for a Paul Murphy, editor, BBC Internet Blog his role in the meantime.. Justin Bones has been Its AI scores were consistent- a male viewer, 61. place on the scheme. More information on http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ appointed the new assistant editor at Radio ly high, hitting 89 on Wednesday. For all overnights and AIs, visit how to apply (and available bursaries) can be bbcinternet/2010/03/round_up_ Leicester, moving from BBC Manchester… Monday to Wednesday’s audience audiencesportal.com found at cc-tv.org.uk thursday_11_march_201.html Strictly Come Dancing: an obvious choice for a ‘glitzy and glamorous’ national media launch
IF YOU HAVE A suggestion FOR who or what should be in WEEK@WORK PLEASE Email clare bolt 10 News a 16·03·10 strategy a short guide to the key proposals in the review putting quality first Ariel’s one-page precis of the strategy review proposals, for those who don’t want to read the 64 page document. As more details are firmed up in the coming months we will keep you informed as to what they are and what they mean
television online
QNo major changes QExtra science and history output, challenging dramas QSpending on imported and documentaries programmes cut by 20% Q50% cut in top level directories by 2012 QSpending on sports rights capped at 8.5% of licence fee Q25% cut in budgets and staffing by 2013 QLess comedy and QExtra money on children’s entertainment QAll sites to have high editorial relevance and
programmes Q£25m per year extra from QReaffirm commitment meet one of the new five content priorities 2013, for ‘distinctiveness’ to arts, music, culture and knowledge QBBC Switch and BBC Blast QStronger comedy, drama, QFewer bespoke programme websites closed knowledge programmes QMore links with BBC Two Q Double ‘click throughs’ to external QLess sport websites by 2012
CLOSING QCloser links with 1Xtra, QNo major changes QNo major changes radio more cross promotion – QClosed by end of 2011, some 6 style output? some output going elsewhere
QClosure of 6 Music and Asian Network CLOSING QGive commercial sector QIncrease appeal to over 65s more room to cater to 30-50 QNo major changes, but QBecomes Radio 4 Extra, Q Closed, with output year olds QSome 6 Music programming shifting to local radio in some closer links with Radio 7, which enhanced features to draw will be rebranded as 4 Extra listeners to digital areas, also online – precise QRegular documentaries, live formats still to be decided QMaintain overall digital concerts, jazz, comedy investment, target spending QAt least 50% speech in daytime
£600m a year children’s local worldwide redirected output radio Q£100m from cutting overheads QIncrease of £10m a year QInvestment in breakfast, QMove towards digital output from 2013 on high quality UK lunchtime, drivetime journalism, and out of merchandising produced content more shared content during the rest and magazines. Details and Q£100m from service reductions – website, of the day timescale tbc acquired programmes
Q£400m from changing spending priorities in existing budgets QNew priorities – world’s best journalism, knowledge, music & culture, UK drama and comedy, children’s content and big events a 16.03.10 11
This is the page that everybody reads. Please email [email protected] You can also contribute to the mail page directly from the Ariel Online home page mail A place of our own Worth your salt? Following recent press reports, I Looking through Ariel (February 23) thought it would be helpful to make Is Danny Cohen bigging up Three’s viewers? I wondered what the going rate was clear the reasons behind the BBC In a letter to the Guardian on March 6, Dan- of days in the week (seven) and the number of for a full-colour 5”x 3” advert on the Trust’s move to new offices in Great ny Cohen, BBC Three controller, said that his transmission hours per day (also seven) I get a back page? It would seem it’s cur- Portland Street in October last year. rently £72, either in cash or the rrp The move was prompted by the channel had more than 17 million viewers each figure of 16.5 million. equivalent quantity of peanuts and BBC vacating the Marylebone High week. That is more than a quarter of the UK Is this the way we calculate audience figures? Bombay (sorry, Mumbai) mix. Street site, which housed the trust, population. And if so, surely the apparent size of the week- It’s been a while since I worked in BBC London and Training and Devel- An examination of the overnight Barb audience ly audience should be reduced by taking into print media, and I realise the indus- opment – a move which will save try has faced tough times over the research figures gives a different picture. account people who watch for more than one licence fee payers £300 million. last few years, but I still think you’re The trust initially considered Looking at each of the seven evenings from hour, and on more than one day? selling yourselves a bit short. moving to Broadcasting House, but March 1-6, the hourly audience for BBC Three To suggest that BBC Three is watched by 17m Surely they could have stretched this would have meant denying rose above one million on only one occasion. people every week is surely an extravagant to some pork scratchings, a couple space to programme makers in The average hourly audience for the week was claim. of bags of crisps and a pickled egg as accommodation that was built to well? a far higher technical spec than we 336,000. If I multiply that figure by the number Ian Pollock, personal finance reporter, business news Donovan Keogh, asst producer, addition- needed. This would clearly not have al programmes unit, BBC Entertainment delivered good value for money. Having considered a number of sure of 6 Music for being distinctive Finally, I do accept Pinball, along tant scientific issues before broad- central London locations, we chose and loved by its audience (slightly with other sites, is not a perfect fit cast. It should not be a matter of Isn’t it about time? Great Portland Street because it rep- under half the size of R3 on FM). into the emerging .co.uk strategy. shame if we need to look beyond How can it take two months (and resented best value for money, with What I wonder is, when the dg asks But does our output always have to ourselves to get these highly com- counting) to repair the clock on the a two-and-a-half year rent free period ‘those who are passionate about 6 [Mu- fit into neat boxes? plex matters right. front of TVC which conked out over and very competitive rental levels sic] to step back and look at the total- Nick Simons, head of learning and new The Ariel inter- Christmas? thereafter. While there is an advan- ity of the services’, what’s the point in media, BBC Scotland view with Tom Giles Has the job been put out to tender tage in the trust being physically sep- holding a sham public consultation? (pictured) made no across Europe? Is someone having arate from the rest of the BBC given Mark Elkins mention of these trouble sourcing a vital cog? its remit, our primary concern was editor, adult skills More warp than wow issues. We learn, in- While we wait, could someone keeping costs down, which is also I do not entirely share Tom Giles’s stead, that his focus drape something over it? Apart from why, as far as possible, we have re- view that the move to a 30-minute is apparently on the being confusing at certain times of used and recycled existing office fur- Setting the ball rolling Panorama was an unqualified ‘suc- need to ‘box clever’ the day and night, it’s frankly get- niture and equipment in the fit out. Thanks to Ariel for the plug of BBC cess’ (Ariel, February 23). The re- with budgets, to improve marketing ting to be a bit embarrassing. Rotha Johnston Pinball, a suite of creative apps for launch kicked off with an investiga- using twitter and to ‘wow’ us with Jonathan Hayles trustee for Northern Ireland and chairman, generating, developing and present- tion into Dr Mohammed Taranissi. more ‘reactive’ journalism. sbj, TVC newsroom Finance and Compliance Committee ing ideas (Ariel, March 9). Thanks It was heavily trailed as an expose Complex science stories do not also to the online manager for the of ‘Britain’s richest doctor’. It was sit easily in this rapid turnaround, kind words – innovation and fun meant to be an unmissable tv event, cost conscious model – they clearly Pale reflection A but is better were certainly intentional. a ‘wow’ moment you might say. need time, space and money. If they Great to see the BBC raising money Quite apart from the rest of the hub- Casual innovation though? Not During the ensuing High Court get this sort of investment we might for charity and advertising it to pas- bub over the strategy review, could we really. It was co-commissioned by case the BBC actually withdrew the avoid ‘distorted’ pseudo-scientific re- sers by in the windows of TVC and, all join together to pour scorn over its BBC Learning, the Creative Network defence of qualified privilege for re- porting in our flagship documentary no doubt, across the country. Not so writers and proof-readers? For such and BBC Scotland, after extensive sponsible journalism in the public programme. Now that would wow great the depiction of what appears an important document I’d expect at research and user testing. Creativity interest – immediately losing costs. me as a licence fee payer. to be an all white cast. least one of them to spot that one of is central to the curricula across the The final settlement and legal bill Andrew Hill Gary Lineker talks about ‘bring- the central proposals, ‘doing fewer UK, also crucial around skills for life was never revealed, but will have news picture editing ing the entire nation together’ in things better’, is bereft of a ‘but’ or a and work in the UK’s increasingly been a vast sum of money. the promo video, so I would have comma. As it stands, it simply means post-industrial and IP-based econo- Recently another medical Pano- thought it possible to represent a not doing as many things better, my. Creativity and learning are BBC rama programme (on ADHD) was Sensational Women more diverse impression of the BBC rather than not doing as many things public purposes. It was produced by judged by the BBC Trust’s editorial I am, perhaps, an unlikely viewer and its contributors in order to gal- but doing them better. BBC Scotland, built by indies and standards committee to have misled for Women, the documentary series vanise the whole nation. The former is certainly within my launched with ongoing contribution viewers by ‘distorting some known about feminism and its impact on Nineteen people are used across range of talents, if that is what our from FM&T – TPM, UXD, market im- facts’. It also relied on a single scien- women’s lives. ten boards – none have a visible dis- inestimable dg had in mind. pact and senior management. tist’s interpretation of controversial But hats off to acclaimed film- ability while Rio Ferdinand appears John Samuelson Pinball doesn’t stand alone: it’s research findings. This will necessi- maker Vanessa Engle, or whoever in rather pale. studio manager, Asia Pacific embedded in ‘moo’ on gateway, tate an on air apology, not least for her team, for their choice of music: Given the number of black sports linked from Bitesize and the BBC me- the public concern it caused. not one, but two tracks from the in- men and women and the 11m disa- dia literacy portal, and planned for I think Mark Byford needs to con- estimable seventies group, The Sen- bled people in the UK, is this the best Fair hearing use with Blast. sider urgently whether there should sational Alex Harvey Band. we can do? I’m with Robin McMorran (March 9) Feel free to contact me directly be a broadcasting equivalent of ‘peer Bill Whiteford Nick Tulip when he bemoans the planned clo- for more information. reviewing’ programmes on impor- journalist presenter, Glasgow News
chard and The Journal of Bridget Hitler. he could not light people but he the BBC, which annoyed him in no OBITUARY During the Second World War, could light sets. De facto, if the set small measure. He felt his lighting prior to National Service, Howard, was correctly lit then an artist could was still improving, he enjoyed good howard king aged 14, joined the BBC and worked stand anywhere in the set and would health and, rather obviously, he Howard King has died at the age of in BH switching centre. Returning be appropriately lit for the mood or could not see why age should mat- 82. He had not been in the best of afterwards, he successfully trans- style of the drama. A slight Howard ter. Howard entered the freelance health for some time, but his spirit ferred to television, becoming a simplification. world and spent a further ten years and intellectual ability had not lighting director in the late 60s. He was always ready to explain lighting shows including the entire diminished. His contribution to the develop- his philosophy of lighting and share award wining series Desmond’s. On my last visit, ten days before ment of lighting was immense, as his knowledge with anyone who He was a very private person with his death, I found him very weak, was his influence on all of us who asked. great humanity, clarity of thought and after 15 minutes I moved to worked with him and learnt from He developed the use of reflected and understanding of people. For leave. ‘No, stay,’ was the spirited and tic lighting and remarked that the him. Howard thought deeply about light to a new level of realism. Nomi- a self-professed shy man, he had a imperious command. Then he remi- show he was most proud of was Dad’s lighting, analysing the cause and nated for six Baftas, awarded two, number of very good friends. I, and nisced over the highs and lows of his Army. Not his Bafta winning dramas, effect of light in the ‘real’ world. this underlines the quality and con- his friends, will miss him greatly lighting career. in 1980 – Therese Raquin and Dr Jekyll In his later career he would sistency of his lighting. and certainly never forget him. He felt his forte had been realis- and Mr Hyde, nor 1981’s The Cherry Or- often, as a throwaway line, profess At 60, he was forced to retire from David Lock 12 Classified 020 7878 2313 a 16.03.10 a 16.03.10 www.bbcarielads.com Classified 13
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14 Jobs See Attachment
One’s own time Senior camera operator Ann Gannon put down her camera at North West tonight to think up ideas for The One Show News is reactive – when something happens you turn up at the scene and find out what’s going on. I applied for a Hot Shoes North placement with The One Show’s unit in Manchester because I want- ed to try working at a place where there was more time to research and plan a story. I was a picture editor for 12 years and became a camera woman four years ago when I joined BBC regional news. At North West Tonight, where I usual- ly work, there’s a strong emphasis on multiskilling and video journalism. I didn’t want to stray too far from news, but I was interested in the journalism. Also, as a network programme, The One Show can take stories from any part of the UK which means there was more scope. Even though I usually work on the technical side of things, The One Show team trusted me to research story ideas. I was asked to develop a story about the advancement of medicine in war, based on the med- icine that’s practised at Camp Bastion in Helmand, which is also being used in a London hospital. I didn’t realise how much goes into develop- ing stories for current affairs: the idea had to be pitched to London, which is where it gets commis- sioned or rejected. Then there’s all the research and planning before you go on location. Most of the work was desk-based, but since it was raining a lot of the time that was fine – and bet- ter than working outdoors, which is what I usual- ly do as a camera woman! There was a lot of phone- bashing and I was surprised at how helpful people were. On my final day, I went on a shoot at Clifton Sus- pension Bridge in Bristol for a story about bridge safety. At regional news, I can sometimes be work- ing solo when filming so it was nice to work with a camera operator and assistant producer. Watching my story go out on The One Show last week was a definite highlight. And now that I’m back at North West Tonight, I feel more confident – I’d love to produce an ideas strand. Been anywhere nice? Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt
14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 16·03·10 What am I doing here 15 photograph: alex maguire alex photograph: foreign bureau
upasana bhat monitoring journalist delhi The first thing that strikes you about Delhi is the traffic. You will find all kinds of Paras Karki transport in the Indian capital, jostling for space, including animals. Around 1000 vehicles are added to the finance & administration Delhi roads every day, eating up the already fast-disappearing empty spaces. manager, nepal team, The Metro recently reached some of Delhi’s heavily-populated suburbs, while sanepa, kathmandu construction activities are in full swing for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for October 2010. A substantial part of the traffic and con- struction is concentrated in central Delhi, Does your name have a have a president in his place. How did you get the job? where the BBC bureau is located on the fifth meaning? ‘The word BBC is I saw an advert in the paper. I floor of a high-rise building owned by one of Paras is a touchstone. There’s So it’s a democracy? didn’t know it was the BBC India’s leading media houses. an Eastern belief that if it It’s hard to say whether it’s highly regarded because it [the advert] didn’t It is the second largest BBC bureau in the touches iron, it becomes gold. exactly a democracy, because have the branding. But much to world, next to Washington. It’s a swanky the largest party that is ruling and respected; my surprise, when I was taken place, done up in the BBC colours of red and How many people do you the country right now is Mao- everyone in, it was the BBC. I thought it black, and has manage? ist and they oppose democ- was another BBC that stands several high-tech There are 23 people work- racy. The remaining parties knows it’s the for ‘something Business Com- For the city’s studios suitable ing for the BBC in Nepal right are a little bit more democrat- pany’. It was a big thing for me. for radio and now – I look after seven. There ic, so it’s very hard to tell. most reliable My family was very, very happy. rich and tv broadcast- are drivers, office assistants, ing. More than a receptionist and a finance So has it been quite difficult for organisation’ One of the big stories here last famous, the 100 people work officer, who is my assistant, the BBC to operate in Nepal? Are year was when Joanna Lumley’s there, for News- and a cleaner. Out of the sev- there political restrictions? campaign won many Gurkha poor simply gathering, World en, three are ex-pats and the The word BBC, those three let- on the internet, so FM sta- veterans the right to settle in Service language rest of them are local staff. ters, is highly regarded and tions can download and play the UK. Did it make much don’t exist teams and the respected. Everyone knows them – some of them twice or impact in Nepal? Monitoring group What kind of work does the it’s the most reliable or- three times a week. So if peo- It only made an impact for the that I’m a part of. Nepali office do? ganisation in terms of get- ple miss the broadcast one day, families whose fathers served Our ten-member team was set up in early We produce radio and tv discus- ting news to the public and they make sure that they don’t the Gurkha battalion. My grand- 2007 and covers print, television, internet sion programmes. We also do high quality programming. miss it the second time. Also, if father too was in the British and radio from South Asia. From this office, drama serials, which get aired there is political turmoil, or the Gurkhas when they ruled In- we cover major events from Pakistan, India, through the 114 FM stations in Did you listen to or watch the bridges have been washed away dia, but he had already retired. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal and coordi- Nepal. They are meant to help BBC before you joined? in the rainy season, and we’re We Nepalese joined the Brit- nate with our head office in Caversham. people understand how to par- I started watching BBC news not able to send out a series be- ish forces and gave our lives The bureau is a five-minute walk from ticipate in constitution-build- on tv when the royal fam- cause there’s hardly any trans- and our youth for the British Connaught Place, or CP as it is popularly ing. Before, our political leaders ily was massacred [in 2001]. portation, we just allow those forces or the Crown and Queen. known, one of Delhi’s best-known shopping decided our fate for us, but now It was 4am and suddenly my FM stations to download them. But we were not getting the areas. There are leading local and foreign it’s us who decide our own fate. father came and woke me up same recognition as the Brit- brands as well as a lot of small-time ven- and said: ‘Hey something’s re- What do Nepali people think of ish. I think that Lumley took a dors displaying their goods on footpaths. What’s the office in Nepal like? ally gone wrong in Nepal.’ So I the output? giant step forward and if the There’s nothing better than CP if you want It is located in a very good, went to his room and much to There has been a tremendous Nepalese are actually benefit- a quick ice-cream, available right in front of beautiful area. The peo- my surprise it was BBC that was increase in letters. Some criti- ting [from her effort], it’s a nice the office. From food to clothes to jewel- ple here are experts in their broadcasting the news. I think cise our programmes, saying thing. But I don’t think there lery to books to cinema halls, there’s almost field; last year we won two it had already beaten CNN. that we are leaning too much was very much public reaction. everything here a person can hope for. It’s Global Reith awards. towards this political wing etc, a shoppers’ paradise for locals and foreign- Is BBC output popular? but most people seem to like What was the purpose of your ers alike. Is it pronounced Ne-paul or The amount of people listening them. Email didn’t pick up recent visit to the UK? India’s gleaming malls contrast sharply Ne-paal? to our programmes has dou- because many people are not I attended a financial confer- with abject poverty. It’s often said that India Nepaal is better. Actual- bled. We put our programmes computer literate. ence in Brighton for five days. is God’s special place. He gave the country a ly it doesn’t matter – it’s a There were 30 of us from all bit of everything – fertile land and adequate proper noun, you can pro- parts of the world where the water, different kinds of weather and a large nounce it in any way. We CV World Service Trust exists. population. don’t object to that. I also visited Bush House. Sometimes it’s a struggle to live in India, Family: married to Laxmi, a school teacher, with two as the ever-increasing population puts pres- You were talking about the daughters aged 14 and 8 How did you find Bush? sure on insufficient resources. But there’s political situation. How would Interests: watching sci-fi and wild west movies, The entrance looked very probably no other place in the world as you explain it? eerie to me – gloomy, grey- colourful, lively and varied in faiths, culture, For more than two centuries, listening to music, reading Louis Lamour novels brown, scary-looking. I was food and language. the country was ruled by the Education: Batchelor’s degree in commerce, Tribhuvan wondering how people India has some of world’s brightest minds Shah dynasty. Four years ago University, Kathmandu; St Xavier’s School run by actually get in that door! and fastest growing economies. For me, the people’s popular movement American Jesuit priests however, India is simply… home. threw out the king. So now we Interview by Rumeana Jahangir
> CONTACT Clare bolt to suggest a colleague for this feature 16 a 16·03·10 green room LAND OF SPIKE OF LAND ▲ THE ARIELAT0R WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: Excitement is mount- ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off ing with the news that Doctor Who stars ▲ Matt Smith (pic- tured) and Karen Gillan will tour ▲ the country at the end of this ▲ month. They’ll be meeting chil- dren at five loca- ▲ tions including their UPSIDE As lock-ins go, being trapped in a respective home- ▲ charity shop doesn’t quite compare with the towns of Northampton comforts of your local pub. This didn’t stop and Inverness. They’ll also be ▲ Radio Devon presenters David ‘Shep’ Shep- stopping off at Salford, coincidentally the home pard and Jo Loosemore from raising £2800 of Christopher Eccleston who played the ninth from their recent escapade which involved doctor. Could the two doctors end up ▲ them being locked in a Devon Air Ambulance crossing themselves? Will the space- charity shop. The pair had to present from the time continuum spiral out of control? ▲ Plymouth premises until they raised the same Probably not, as Eccleston has just been amount of money taken by the shop in the filming the BBC Four biopicLennon Naked with ▲ previous week, which took three days. Despite former Doctor Who co-star and Torchwood ac- the financial success and stylish threads given tress Naoko Mori. to them by the staff, it seems working in such ▲ close quarters has taken its toll on the pair. Chris Moyles was on typically brash form ‘Jo and I have never really got on, and this whole at last week’s Tric awards, embarking upon an ▲ experience has driven us further apart,’ David ill-advised ‘roasting’ of the ceremony when confided to Green Room. ‘The confined space, he picked up the best radio show award for his ▼ the relentless snoring (even during the day), Radio 1 breakfast show. ‘These awards would and the endless unfinished games of Mo- be like the Oscars – if they were weak and lack- ▼ nopoly have confirmed it for us both. We can ing atmosphere,’ he quipped, before turning on never work together in a charity shop again.’ INDIE DAD S.O.S. best weather presenter award winner Tomasz Jo seemed similarly dazed by the ordeal. ‘Three Schafernaker. ‘All he has to say is it rains or ▼ days and two nights – that’s longer than many Another MP has outed himself as a 6 has morphed into a suburban semi plus snows… it’s not hard,’ said Moyles. ‘And no one marriages,’ she muttered. Music fan, and coined a new phrase in the partner, children and DAB radio, the inde- even knows who he is.’ Au contraire, Chris – after process. James Purnell doesn’t want 6 Mu- pendent music itch has remained. his topless spread for Attitude magazine Tomasz ▼ DOWNSIDE sic to be shut, he’d rather it was BBC Two To remain ever vigilant of the next is pretty darn high profile, and was even men- Prepare yourself for a flurry of indignant BBC daytime. ‘That way,’ he wrote in the Guard- big thing in the ever changing world tioned in these very pages. Don’t you read the ▼ ‘ageism’ stories in the papers after the shock ian, ‘it can much better achieve the goal of young white boys (and occasional- Green Room? announcement of Mabel’s ‘retirement’ last of the strategy review and avoid offend- ly girls) with guitars is the indie dad’s life- ▼ week. The popular Blue Peter female dog has ing all the indie dads like me who prefer long quest. If they don’t know their Kill- Has Adam Buxton bitten off more than he can spent the last 14 years enlivening the show waking up to Shaun Keaveny to the Today ers from their Kasms they begin to sweat, chew? The 6 Music presenter invited the dg out with her outrageous habit of peering into programme.’ Hang on a minute – indie and a conversation about music with a for a fight live on Channel 4 News at the begin- ▼ other people’s dads? teenage nephew where they don’t rec- ning of the month, and last week he continued bags and passion- There must be legions of them. A youth ognise at least one of the bands being the beef in the pages of Shortlist magazine. ‘He’s ▼ ate love of football, spent trying to impress comrades and the mumbled about can send them into a a desk jockey. I’m a disc jockey – a very differ- but her last appear- opposite sex alike with their knowledge week-long existential crisis. To save these ent kind of man. I’m powerful,’ he said, asserting ▼ ance on the show of obscure bands on obscurer record la- aging hipsters from slipping into a Michael that the dg is more used to mental confronta- has been set for bels means the indie dad spurns such Buble–induced musical coma thanks to tions than physical. Buxton can certainly talk the March 30. Admit- conventional dad rock staples as the Dave the termination of their secret BBC-brand- talk but should it come down to it Green Room ▼ tedly she may be Matthews Band and Eric Clapton. Though ed knowledge node is a public service if doesn’t fancy the famously small presenter’s over 98 dog years their student bed-sit with record player ever we heard one. ▼ old, but she still looks fine to us. Win an alarm clock Wake up to the expertly selected sounds of your mp3 player’s playlist with the MagicBox Days of thunder Mi19 programmable alarm clock. This nifty bed- EARWIGGING side device allows a fully customised awaken- There are few things we Drivetime presenter Roberto’s ing with the choice to select music from an mp3 OVERHEARD AT THE BBC like more in the Green Room challenge was to ride exactly one player, as well as the FM radio and buzzer. The than amusing pictures of mile on the trike – a formida- Mi19 features an inbuilt iPod dock as well as an …I love writing on bananas... big men on small trikes. ble distance, and sadly just auxiliary line input suitable for other portable If these men happen to a little too far for the self- audio players, and comes with a remote control. …I’m a bit of a Hitler also be dressed as The styled Italian Stallion. Measuring only 21.5cm x 18cm x purist, I’m afraid... Terminator, so much ‘He failed miserably,’ 12.8cm it won’t take up much space the better. Thank the sbj Toby Friedner told on the bedside table, and at £30 …This year I’m giving up small comedy gods then Green Room. ‘He had it could also make a good gift for for Three Counties Ra- to complete 20 cir- the tardy music fan in your life. handwriting for Lent... dio’s Roberto Perrone cuits of a specially made We have two MagicBox Mi19s …I’m not taking my clothes (right), who bravely course but barely did to give away. To enter to mounted his tiny one.’ Of course Rob- win one, answer this off for the programme at this point... plastic steed as erto had an excuse: question: 1950s film part of the station’s ‘The pedals and bike The Magic Box tells the …You could do lots of small ones and then drumming up of sup- were too small for me,’ story of which British one big one... port for the Milton Key- he protested after end- inventor? Email ariel nes Sport Relief mile ing his run in a nearby competitions by …Is real life 3D?... on March 21. fountain. March 22.
> IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR THE GREEN ROOM, CONTACT ADAM BAMBURY