29·09·09 Week 39 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel THE BBC NEWSPAPER

VERY BRITISH, PRETTY FAMOUS: HOW MATT FREI IS WOOING a AUDIENCES STATESIDE Page 6

Strictly BETWEEN OURSELVES...

BRUCE FORSYTH joined in-house programme makers, ◆indies, BBC bosses and other BBC talent at the Vision forum, to chew the fat over tv’s new realities, the brave new world in the North and the BBC under siege. Jana Bennett said it was time for us all to stick up for the organisation. Brucie was sticking up for Alesha. Pages 4-5, 10

> NEWS 2-3 WEEK AT WORK 8-9 OPINION 10 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 162 News a 00·00·0829·09·09 NEED TO KNOW the week’s essentials NEWS BITES

More than 100 viewers complained a about Andrew Marr’s questioning of Top-slicing is ‘the wrong answer’ Gordon Brown on his BBC One show on Sunday. Marr asked the prime minister Room 2316, White City u Fresh from its battering by culture secre- about his eyesight and whether he 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS tary Ben Bradshaw, the BBC Trust last week pub- was using prescription medication. 020 8008 4228 lished its submission to the government’s Digital Defending Marr, the BBC said: ‘He was Managing Editor Britain consultation on funding options for national, asking a legitimate question about the Stephen James-Yeoman 02-84222 regional and local news. health of the leader of the country.’ Deputy editors Once again it set out its opposition to the pro- posal to top-slice the licence fee to finance inde- The controversial appearance on Sally Hillier 02-26877 pendent news consortia in the regions, and says it Question Time of the BNP’s Nick Griffin Cathy Loughran 02-27360 is ‘not too late’ to consider other solutions. has been confirmed for October 22 in a Features editor These include using the ‘spectrum tax’ (the programme to be recorded in London. Clare Bolt 02-27445 money that will be generated from freeing up the Jack Straw will appear for Labour Senior Broadcast Journalist 02-27630 broadcast spectrum after 2014) for the benefit amid a continued split in the party Stephen Hawkes of commercial operators, and the BBC sharing its over appearing alongside the BNP. The Reporters know-how and facilities, to help sustain regional other panellists are yet to be named. Laura Scarrott 02-84224 news. Peggy Walker 01-43940 ‘Top-slicing the licence fee is the wrong an- Robbie Williams will open the BBC’s Production editor swer,’ says chairman Michael Lyons in the submis- Electric Proms at the Roundhouse in Claire Barrett 02-27368 sion. ‘It would undermine the BBC’s independence Camden, London on October 20. It will and its direct accountability to licence fee payers, be his first full length concert in the Art editor it would risk turning the licence fee into general UK. Shirley Bassey, Dizzee Rascal and Ken Sinyard 02-84229 taxation and we do not believe any ring-fenced Smokey Robinson are also in the line-up. Ariel online amount could be contained.’ Alex Goodey 02-27410 Reiterating the trust’s position on what should Radio Sheffield and The Children’s Business co-ordinator happen to any licence fee money that is not need- commercial sector.’ Hospital, Sheffield have joined forces Silvana Romana 02-84228 ed for digital switchover, Lyons says it intends to The committee of MPs, chaired by Tory John to raise £500,000 over the next six Ariel mail ‘hand this back to the government and believes Whittingdale, believes the BBC was ‘certainly not months to buy a new CT scanner [email protected] they should pass it back to the public…in the form as transparent as it claims’ over disclosing finan- to replace the hospital’s current Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel of a reduction in the future licence fee’. cial details of the Lonely Planet acquisition. machine which is more than seven The criticisms did not take into account new years old. The appeal was launched on u The trust’s submission on Digital Britain tighter controls over the governance of World- Bigger At Breakfast with Toby Foster. was published three days after MPs accused wide announced last week. The trust has said its Guest contributors this week it of arrogance over BBC Worldwide’s activities. own ongoing review of BBC Worldwide – including Foreign secretary David Miliband, The commercial arm’s purchase of the Lonely into the company’s remit – cannot conclude until Rabbi Julia Neuberger, child PAUL SMITH A&M’s head of editorial Planet travel guide business was ‘the most egre- uncertainty around the outcomes of the govern- development expert Tanya Byron and standards on how to stay on top of gious example of the nature of BBC Worldwide’s ment’s Digital Britain report and negotiations former London mayor Ken Livingstone compliance. Page 8 expansion into areas where the BBC has no, or about a possible joint venture between Worldwide will be among the contributors at very limited existing interest,’ according to a and Channel 4 are resolved. Radio 3’s Free Thinking festival, which TORIN DOUGLAS examines how culture, media and sport committee report. ‘We are committed to ensuring licence fee pay- starts in Gateshead on October 23. the Strictly factor made Saturday ‘Had the BBC Trust been a more responsible ers get a good return on their investment,’ it says, nights more than just another media oversight body, it would have given more seri- ‘while being mindful of the BBC’s impact on the BBC Worldwide has won the debate. Page 10 ous consideration to the likely impact on the wider market...’ contribution to employee volunteering award for its work with the Jack Tizard school for children with special BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 SWAMPED BY THE VOLUNTEERING SPIRIT needs. In the same awards, given by Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 Hammersmith and Fulham Council, BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 BBC Outreach won gold for ‘outstanding Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS contribution to education’, for its Advertise in Ariel schemes for schools and colleges, from Ten Alps Publishing 020 7878 2314 tours of TVC to media workshops. www.bbcarielads.com In a bid to reduce the number of Printing cups thrown away, staff can get Garnett Dickinson Group a 10p discount on all hot drinks Rotherham 01709 768000 Wading in: the TVC news- bought from BBC catering outlets Subscribe to Ariel room’s Simon Waldman, in London, Glasgow and the English Six months: £26, £36, £40 Mazoe Ford and Rebecca Barry regions when they take a travel mug (rear) with Andrew Cropper to use instead of cardboard cup. Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 (front right) and a volunteer (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world from the National Trust BBC Guernsey opened its doors on respectively) Saturday when islanders took 30-minute Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, guided tours showing how the radio, Brookfields Way, Manvers, tv and online operations work. Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL Tel 01709 768199 The BBC Pension Scheme has won the INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY professional pensions best pensioner communication award. In particular Telephone 0800 0688 159 it was praised for its dedicated Ceefax Page 159 www.bbc.co.uk/159 helpline; its website; its volunteer Ariel is produced by Internal by Sally Hillier ‘We were lucky to have fantastic weather – visiting scheme; Prospero (newspaper) Communications for people at the BBC warm and sunny all day. Had it been cold and and MyDeals for pensioners. A group of volunteers swapped the Televi- pouring with rain I don’t think we would have sion Centre newsroom for, well, a swamp last week done it with quite such good humour. Due to the closure of 35 Marylebone when they spent a day clearing a stretch of the River ‘It was hard, physical graft – not quite what High Street, from October 5 shuttle Wandle at National Trust property Morden House, in we are used to – but at least we didn’t get wet, buses will no longer stop there. Surrey. The river runs through Croydon and into thanks to some very effective waders.’ An additional stop will be made PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL the Thames and is in danger of flooding due to The clear-up was organised through Con- at 180 Great Portland Street. a build-up of plant life. nect and Create, a BBC scheme enabling staff ‘We were pulling out pennywort, an invasive to gain new skills by volunteering. Connect and Do you work in news and speak, read species that clogs up the water, and nettles,’ Create is part of the BBC Academy, and projects or write Arabic? The World Service explains broadcast journalist James Ingham run across the UK throughout the year. Visit is keen to find out how many BBC who organised the clear-up. explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/connectandcreate// journalists know Arabic outside of Bush House. Email Elise Wicker.

> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 29·09·09 News 3 Godwin and Nassé to lead teams to new Salford base by Sally Hillier working as head of development for special- ist factual in 2006, and building the BBC’s The Salford story continues with two more relationship with the Discovery Channel. high profile appointments in divisions that In 2005, he was acting head of the Man- are scheduled to move. chester-based religion and ethics depart- As the new director of BBC children’s, Joe ment, and is delighted at the prospect of Godwin will be responsible for all aspects returning to the north west. ‘[Salford] offers Visit: Breakfast’s Richard Westcott with nurse of CBeebies and CBBC and in 2011 will lead a great chance to reinvent the way we work Kelly Parslow, liaison officer Mark Sutcliffe and them to their new northern base. and build new partnerships,’ he says. Midlands Today cameraman Craig Giddins Currently head of news, factual and en- Godwin has spent the past 20 years work- tertainment for children’s, he is expected Joe Godwin Saul Nassé ing in children’s media – both inside and to take up his new role in November, suc- outside the BBC, including five years at Nick- ceeding Richard Deverell who has been elodeon – and at the moment is responsi- BBC team made chief operating officer, BBC North. He Currently working in Mumbai, where ble for programmes such as Newsround, Blue is looking forward, he says, to returning to he has been general manager and creative Peter, Serious, TMI and The Slammer. Manchester, where he attended university. head of BBC Worldwide productions India As director he will lead one of the corpo- CBBC controller Damian Kavanagh and since 2007, Nassé will take up his new job ration’s most important output areas – one ‘humbled’ by Michael Carrington, controller of CBeebies, in January. that is to receive an extra £25m over the will look after the content on their channels He will be responsible for the BBC’s for- next three years (see Page 4). and websites and will report to Godwin. mal learning content, including Bitesize, as ‘Children’s services are the cornerstone day in hospital Saul Nassé’s new job, meanwhile, will well as for commissioning knowledge tv pro- of the BBC and Joe Godwin’s 20 years of ex- mean a change not just of city – but of con- grammes, online learning content, and cam- perience make him the ideal candidate to tinents. He is to be the new controller of paigns like Headroom and Breathing Places. build on [that] reputation and lead the team News broadcast for 13 hours last Wednesday Salford-bound BBC learning, replacing Liz Former jobs included editing the ac- to its new home,’ says Jana Bennett, direc- from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Cleaver, who is soon to step down. claimed India and Pakistan season in 2007, tor of vision. at Birmingham’s Selly Oak Hospital, providing live reports for the News Channel, BBC Breakfast, BBC World, 5 live, 1Xtra, BBC WM and Midlands Rattled: Rocco (Martin Collins) Today. and Brooks (Spencer Jones) It was the first time live cameras had been allowed on the wards, currently treating more than 30 injured military personnel who have been flown back to the UK from the field hospi- tal in Afghanistan. The BBC had exclusive access to the critical care ward and the military managed trauma ward. ‘It was a fascinating but humbling expe- rience spending the day with the NHS and MOD doctors and nurses,’ says producer Liz Cave. The special was pegged to the BBC One doc- umentary Wounded, broadcast that evening, which followed the treatment and rehabilita- tion of two young soldiers who returned from Afghanistan with horrific injuries. The harrowing programme, shown in two parts either side of the Ten O’Clock News, was widely praised. It generated an audience of 3.7 million and an extremely high AI (appreciation index) of 93. Wildlife resource is ‘jewel in crown’ Big Babies, a comedy featuring babies other on the dangers of the internet. Baby, just look with the heads of grown men, is one of CBBC controller Damian Kavanagh The natural history unit has launched Wild- the highlights of CBBC’s winter/spring also revealed that next summer Gareth life Finder, a new resource that allows users to schedule. Malone, star of BBC Two’s The Choir, will search archive material from three decades. what’s under The line-up also includes Spirit Warri- teach children how to perform in a new Speaking at the Vision forum (see pages 4-5) ors, a mix of live-action and martial arts series while Johnny Vegas will hunt evil George Entwistle, controller of knowledge com- fantasy, as well as two one-off News- puppets in The Dead Puppets Society set missioning, described the site as ‘the jewel in the bonnet round specials – one on bullying and the for 2011. the crown’ of the NHU’s multiplatform offer- ing. Currently, users can stream 500 clips of animals, plants and habitats but it is estimat- ed that after six months nearly 2000 clips will be accessible. New awards to honour radio’s unsung heroes Wildlife Finders accompanies the recent- ly launched Earth News site which on average The Radio Academy and the producers and production com- freelances and programme-mak- critic and first person to be made attracts 200-250,000 unique users every week. Radio Independents Group (RIG) panies. Categories include: best ers working in BBC, commercial, a fellow of the Radio Academy, Another site, Earth Explorers, formerly have launched the Radio Pro- factual producer, entertainment community, student and hospital will chair the panel of judges. known as Out of the Wild, gives an insight into duction Awards, to be presented producer, music entertainment radio. Entries will be welcomed as ‘The RPAs will celebrate the the progress of the 17 production teams out in February. producer, online producer, dra- well from audio producers work- work of some of the unsung filming NHU programmes at any one time. Whereas the Sony Radio ma producer, newcomer, and ing primarily in the digital sec- heroes of British radio. The Speaking of the NHU’s commitment to mul- Academy Awards recognise pro- lifetime achievement. tor on output for commercial or judges will be looking for flair, tiplatform, its new head Andrew Jackson, said: grammes, stations and broad- The awards will be open to all not-for-profit audio streams and innovation and creativity,’ says ‘It makes everything we do relevant. The many casters, the RPAs will honour UK-based radio and audio pro- podcasts. Trevor Dann, chief executive of stories that we can’t fit into a programme can the achievement of individual ducers including independents, Gillian Reynolds, the radio the Radio Academy. go online.’

164 VISION FORUM ariel reporters joined a lively two-day event at TVa Centre 00·00·08 VISION FORUM 5 PHOTOGRAPHS: CHRIS CAPSTICK CHRIS PHOTOGRAPHS: It’s cool to tweet, but only WHAT THEY SAID if you handle with care Time to fight u Adding social networking ‘If you build it then look BBC Three’s Being Human was to a project doesn’t automat- after it,’ he said. ‘Don’t throw cited as a prime example of ically make it cool – number yourself all over the place a programme working well one on the list of Roo Rey- and not be in a position to online. Its regularly updated nolds’s Five Things You Need resource it properly.’ video blog (shot by the pro- to Know about Social Media. Reynolds is keen to follow duction team) was ‘one of the Vision’s portfolio exec, the Trust’s 2008 recommen- most popular blogs to come the BBC corner social media, was at pains dation to bbc.co.uk that more out of Vision’. to point out that though can be done to ‘meet the pub- The Apprentice received Twitter, Facebook and the lic’s growing expectation of praise for its Live Predictor u She opened with news House of Saddam. First out amounted to ‘a pre-emp- like may be the hot new open dialogue,’ hence his online game that worked ‘PRODUCERS FEEL demoralised of more money for chil- will be Marion and Geoff ‘Step up our tive cringe’. thing, programme makers advice that it is ‘okay to join alongside the broadcast and frightened [by the new dren’s and BBC Two drama, writer Hugo Blick’s six-part Bold concessions would should still approach with in the conversation’ with show. Reynolds revealed compliance rules].’ and closed by asking every- murder drama The Shadow advocacy but only whet the appetite of caution. online audiences. a fleeting image of some- Audio & Music trainer on the stricter one inside the BBC to raise Line. BBC Films would also those who believed the Similarly, starting up a But he counselled against thing similar currently in approach to taste and standards their game in fighting the get a higher profile on the don’t slip into BBC shouldn’t exist at blog or sending out the odd using a bland ‘voice of the development for Strictly BBC’s corner. channel. all, he said. Far better to tweet will not suddenly gain BBC’ style when interacting. Come Dancing, and advised ‘WELL THEY shouldn’t feel like In between, Jana Ben- An extra £25m for chil- arrogance engage energetically in you an audience – it takes Communications shouldn’t the audience to keep an eye that … unless they’re making nett assured people at the dren’s, again over three the debate and defend the time and effort to build an be anonymous but come out for it over the next few terrible programmes.’ second BBC Vision forum years, was in response to or blind organisation. online presence. from an individual. weeks. Alan Yentob, creative director who that there was ‘no hit list’ BBC Trust recommenda- Bennett agreed. If the chaired the BBC’s review of taste for the new strategic re- tions that Vision strength- conviction’ BBC felt under siege from and standards after ‘Sachsgate’ view she is helping to lead. en its role as the corner- without, the Vision forum And she chatted to Bruce stone of UK children’s was a chance to ‘regroup’. Four is most ONE OF the most important things Forsyth about Strictly Come output. But financial pres- tion course to train people Her message was that eve- [in Salford] is to have completely Dancing. He thought Alesha sures on commercial broad- in production to enhance ryone working at the BBC embedded teams, including software was getting a raw deal in the casters made that invest- their own programme web- needed to be better advo- designers and content producers. press, Strictly should have al- ment – subject to approval sites. cates for it: ‘We need to loved channel That’s not working properly across ways been in primetime and by the trust – more vital On the innovation front, step up our advocacy but the BBC. We need to challenge – great show that it was, ‘the than ever, Bennett said. there would be four new Vi- not slip into arrogance or u Richard Klein, controller of BBC Four, some of our preconceptions. hype has been too much’. Another priority would sion bursaries a year, ena- blind conviction.’ robustly defended his channel against Some of the best ideas ever come After a decade of con- be to take multiplatform bling producers and APs to Hadn’t the Strictly v X-Fac- interviewer Steve Hewlett’s suggestion that it from software engineers.’ centrating drama funding integration to the next step out of day jobs to work tor scheduling clash been a could be on the list of services to close as the Richard Deverell, chief on BBC One, BBC Two’s dra- level: ‘Vision needs to feel on experimental pilots. slip up, Bennett was asked. BBC looks at the scale of its activity. operating officer, BBC North ma budget is to be boost- more like an integrated Interviewed on anoth- ‘We can’t stretch peak ‘We’re the most loved channel’, he said, ‘our ed by more than half, cre- multimedia outfit. And to er forum platform by Evan time,’ Bennett argued. ‘Un- The forum was a ‘chance AIs are higher than any other.’ ‘THIS ISN’T a press release, it’s the ating what Bennett hoped put it bluntly, at the mo- Davis, Mark Thompson was like seven or eight years ago, Klein also admitted he would like ‘a bit more transparent and authentic voice would be ‘the next gener- ment it doesn’t – quite,’ quizzed on the recent bar- we now have great [Saturday to regroup’, Jana Bennett uIraq drama Occupation wasn’t breakout’ from other channels – more switch- of senior staff in Vision and why ation of television classics’ she told Vision colleagues, rage of criticism about the night] entertainment on two Generation Kill – which cost 20 times as over moments, to attract audiences off the they make the choices they make.’ – less box-set blockbusters indie producers and other BBC’s scale and ambition. channels…and the debate is tells Andrew Marr much – but a tight budget meant more back of programmes on BBC One and Two. Roo Reynolds, Vision’s portfolio than worthy successors to external guests at TV Cen- Thompson argued that it happening as if we only had focus on characters, like the lead played He pointed to success on iPlayer, which can exec, social media, on the upcoming Boys From The Blackstuff, This tre. Bennett announced a would be naive to make two channels to watch.’ by James Nesbitt (right), in a forum make up a quarter of Four’s audiences, to Vision blog, due to be launched Life, Our Friends in the North, new multiplatform founda- concessions to critics that Strictly fallout: page 10 conversation with Alan Yentob. prove that there was ‘something for everyone’ by the end of the year on the channel, if ‘maybe not all the time’. ‘I WATCHED my first episode of EastEnders with my mum when I was 15. Ian Beale and I grew u ‘I was very un- CHARGE FOR IPLAYER up together. We have worrying keen about my char- A big, brilliant new hit to I want scale and impact amounts in common.’ acter having another Diederick Santer, EastEnders u baby,’ Nina Wadia, The BBC was quick to react to Lorraine Heggessey’s executive producer u EastEnders’ matriarch big TV forum idea that licence-fee payers should be charged ‘In conversation with How far would he risk Aaqil Ahmed: Zainab Masood tells put Salford on the map ‘micro-payments’ to use the iPlayer. Janice Hadlow, Aaqil Ahmed offending religious peo- ‘outsider’ ‘WE SHOULD celebrate Manchester. BBC Three controller The Talkback Thames chief exec and former BBC One control- gave a taste of what to ex- ple? He saw no reason with an We have sushi, broadband, Audis and Danny Cohen. The ac- ler understood why programme-makers’ budgets had been pect from the BBC’s first to deliberately provoke, open mind Premiership matches, and in terms of u tress had just had her What Television Centre and the internet. The BBC’s the whole Salford environ- cut to fund the iPlayer’s development. But she questioned the Muslim head of religion. nor shy away from a rel- lifestyle, Manchester knocks London own second child and was to the tv age, MediaCity- relationship with the inde- ment would be more open, decision that it should cost users in the UK nothing. In a country with almost evant subject. His con- for six. I can climb a mountain ‘wanted to come to UK will be for the interactive pendent sector had already he said: ‘We’ll be using 30 Research carried out by her company suggested people 2.5m practising Muslims, troversial Channel 4 se- at the end of a working day.’ work to have fun’. age, declared a newly beard- improved and the Wocc (win- percent of the office space would be willing to pay up to £2 for certain shows. The BBC there was a debate to be had ries The Qur’an, which Alex Connock, Manchester- The lighter side of life ed Peter Salmon, paddling dow of creative competi- and 40 percent of the stu- said there were no such plans: ‘The cost of the iPlayer is about the balance of reli- questioned the based CEO of Ten Alps will always have a gamely, on video, down the tion) was working well, ‘but dios. [Developers] Peel have covered by the licence fee, so UK users gious festival coverage, he idea of suicide place in Albert Square, Manchester ship canal. there’s no comparable com- to attract other tenants. It have already paid for this service.’ said. But he also promised ‘a martyrs, had ‘THE BOAT’s sailed. We’ve been alongside gritty real- That meant BBC North missioning system for on- won’t be like TV Centre, Writer and broadcaster Steve much improved Christmas’ not had a single in multiplatform for more than a ism and occasional would be a ‘sexy, big, new, line – you can’t bring an on- behind barbed wire.’ Hewlett later joined the debate, and ‘one of the most Chris- complaint. decade… but now we’re not ahead of ‘gothic’ storylines, exciting place to work’, its line brand to the BBC’. Could Both he and fellow pan- advocating a payment model tian Easters for a long time’. the audience. The idea that we can said exec producer director told the mixed MediaCityUK give birth to an elist Helen Bullough, head of for iPlayer similar to the one The former Channel 4 roll back history is totally negative, Diederick Santer. London/Manchester forum online Wocc? Vision production North, also used by iTunes and Amazon . religion commissioner cites and the way we’re funded means we A priority is to keep audience, and a ‘badge of Better access to commis- promised more flexible ca- ‘The technology now ex- BBC Two’s The Monastery and have to be where the audience is.’ the lid on the ‘big honour’ for anyone already sioners was needed, Deverell reer paths. ‘People will learn ists that can make payment BBC Three’s The Manchester Jana Bennett, answering Andrew reveal’ that will be excited by new technology. agreed. But BBC North and more, and more quickly at straightforward,’ he told BBC Passion as output with the Marr’s suggestion that the BBC the climax of the live It would also be where BBC North. We’ll bring down News. ‘At iTunes prices, I would kind of ‘impact, scale and should pull back from everything 25th anniversary epi- the BBC would ‘rewrite the the silos,’ Deverell said. pay,’ said the presenter of noise’ he wants to achieve. except traditional broadcasting sode on February 19. rules of how we work with in- ‘It won’t be And the proof of the pud- Radio 4’s The Media Show. How much would his ‘Six people know, and dies’ in a much more joined ding? ‘A brilliant, break-out ‘The BBC never thought own faith affect his choic- ‘LOOK, I’M wearing that’s how it will stay up way, confirmed Richard like Television new hit,’ suggested Connock. it was appropriate to es? ‘I’ve never traded on be- my success glasses.’ for a very long time,’ Deverell, children’s control- ‘Not an iteration of a brand, give away dvds, so why ing a Muslim and I’m not Michael McIntyre, (above) an optimistic Santer ler and BBC North CEO. Centre, behind but a new paradigm…some- should catch-up tv be going to start now,’ he said. expounding his theory that to get told the forum. Cue forum panelist Alex thing that defines the BBC in free?’ As the child of Muslim refu- on in television, you have to wear Connock, Ten Alps chief exec barbed wire’ Manchester the way Google gees he had always been ‘an rectangular black-framed spectacles and massive fan of Manches- defines Silicon Valley.’ outsider’, he said, with a ter, the BBC move to Salford Richard Deverell No pressure there then. more open outlook on life.

> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< 6 Features a 29·09·09 p h o t ograp h : JEFF O : JEFF Gandhi the Known in the USA: Matt Frei VE R hero? Not S to everyone Straight

Mahatma Gandhi: Father of the Nation; holy man who stood up to the British Empire through a radical campaign of non-violence; a vegetarian former bar- to the rister who inspired civil rights and free- dom across the world. At least that is how many people think of him. But for news presenter Mishal Husain, the picture is more subtle and, as she explains in a new BBC Two series, he was not universally loved. ‘My grandpar- point ents were quite sceptical of Gandhi,’ she says. ‘They saw him as a leader for Hindus, not a leader for all India. I grew up with that and it has informed my own view.’ Her grandparents – Muslims who left the country in 1947 at the time of Partition – were followers of Gandhi’s great rival Jinnah, generally regarded as the founder of Pakistan. ‘They were inspired by Jinnah, and were not believers in Gandhi’s politi- cal message. That was my starting point.’ Husain made four trips to India and one to South Africa where she set out to challenge the idealised images of Gandhi. ‘He is very much someone who has been deified,’ she notes. ‘It almost The US-facing newscast, which launched two years ago, is growing in popularity prevents us learning from him because he’s regarded as unassailable. Even and making a celebrity of its very British presenter, as Steve Hawkes discovers people who are great heroes should be looked at in an objective way.’ She admits that the series shifted her perspective. ‘I learnt a lot about his Not many BBC News presenters can stop self into a typical marzipan-haired, mous- when he was chosen for the second year actions at the time of Partition, which I the traffic in star-studded west Hollywood – tachioed American anchorman,’ he says. ‘I running to present at the news and docu- didn’t know because my grandparents but after two years of fronting a one-hour want to retain my distinctive voice. I look mentary Emmy awards in New York. left before the violence in 1947. I learnt primetime show five nights a week, World different and I sound different. I don’t use World News America was nominated in how many Muslim lives he saved in that News America’s Matt Frei is having to come American terms – I don’t stand in line, I three of what exec producer Rome Hartman time, which was very moving for me. to terms with that sort of celebrity status. queue – and the Americans are just going to calls the ‘marquee’ [top] categories: best ‘We followed the route of the Dandi ‘The first time I saw my face on the side have to get used to it.’ story, most outstanding feature and cover- Salt March, the defining campaign of his of a five-storey building, I just stopped and The correspondent who began his BBC ca- age of breaking news in a regularly sched- life, and met people who had seen him stared,’ he recalls with amusement. reer at the German language service, writing uled newscast. Up against the likes of CNN pass by when they were small children. As he gaped open-mouthed at a giant bill- opera reviews for listeners behind the Iron and Fox, the show walked away empty It was a journey in his footsteps – and a board image of himself, a car came screech- Curtain, hosts BBC America on BBC World handed, a fact that doesn’t phase its exec: journey of discovery.’ ing to a stop at the corner of the street. Two News and the BBC News channel while mak- ‘I’d trade five Emmys for one Peabody,’ Har- Sadly her grandparents will not see her American teenagers were hanging out of ing regular appearances as a guest on rival man says, pointing out that World News Amer- journey. Her grandfather is dead and her the back window, pointing in turns at the US news networks CNN and MSNBC. He’s ica won a prestigious Peabody broadcasting grandmother would not be able to follow real Frei and his considerably larger-than- also presenting Radio 4’s weekly magazine award in its first year. the programme, but Husain has spoken to life publicity shot. ‘I was looking very seri- programme Americana, which controller other members of her family and gleaned ous in the poster, but when I saw the kids, Mark Damazer is hoping will be the natu- Bush exclusive how they feel about Gandhi. I laughed...at which the youngest shouted ral successor to the late Alistair Cooke’s Let- Apart from being divided by a common And her own perspective? ‘I always gleefully, ‘look, Mom – it smiles!’.’ ter From America. language, Frei and his fellow anchormen/ admired his personal energy and stam- Frei was in Los Angeles to promote World His position in the large, media land- presenters in the US also differ in their ina,’ she says cautiously. ‘You can’t help News America, the BBC’s first and only US-fac- scape of the US was confirmed last week interview technique. Journalists in the UK but respect that.’ ing newscast, which celebrates two years on tend to be less deferential, he explains. Gandhi starts October 3 on BBC Two air on October 1. Watched by three million ‘We’re not overly polite – we get straight to Americans each month, the programme, the point.’ broadcast from Washington DC, has seen its One World News America interview nightly figures rise 70 percent in a year. required a slightly lighter touch, though For Frei that means more unscheduled – an exclusive, last year, with president encounters with the great American public. George W Bush. ‘You can’t be quite as rude ‘You need to do a lot of publicity in Amer- to the president as you could to the prime ica,’ he says. ‘It’s a large media landscape minister,’ Frei says. ‘You can ask tough ques- and very competitive.’ tions – you can be as cruel as you like – but you can’t interrupt him and you definitely Colonial outpost can’t shout at him. He’s like a cross between He may be the public face of the BBC to the prime minister and the Queen.’ the American in the street, but Frei stead- And Frei’s charm offensive obviously fastly refuses to assimilate. When the pro- ‘It would be stupid to worked, as the president happily provid- gramme launched, one US tv critic wrote in ed his interrogator with all the face time his column: ‘If BBC World News America is try to turn myself into required for his interview – and more. intended to be world news for an American ‘He didn’t want to let me go – he seemed audience, why does the very British staff a typical marzipan- to have so much time on his hands. In the refer to ‘America’ as if it were a distant end I had to say to him, ‘Mr President, I colonial outpost?’ haired, moustachioed know you’ve got two wars to win and need Frei – that ‘very British staff’ – is unapolo- to pack your bags for your forthcoming tour getic. ‘It would be stupid to try to turn my- American anchorman’ of Africa – but I have a blog to write.’ a 29·09·09 Features 7

Dan Cruickshank was unnerved to read his own obituary while Staring death making a BBC Four programme by Sue Llewellyn do, and I found myself offering to write an obit for Dan and to art and architectural histo- show it to him. We’d never done rian Dan Cruickshank says you anything like that and nobody in the face would have to be ‘insane’ to want has ever asked to see them,’ to confront your own death, but he continued. ‘Although we’ve that’s exactly what he did for a got 300 tv and 500 online and new BBC Four programme, The radio obits prepared we didn’t Art of Dying. have one for Dan so I did some In this intimate and moving research and laid it out exactly film, co-produced by the Open as it would look online. He was University, Cruickshank explores quite emotional about it when I whether art might offer any showed it to him.’ help or comfort for people when Cruickshank continues: dealing with death and he also ‘You somehow imagine that comes face to face with his own what you’ve done is of some mortality by reading his own significance, but of course it’s a obituary. ‘I wasn’t quite prepared rude awakening when your life for seeing a piece of paper has been objectively assessed with the BBC logo on it saying and you realise that it didn’t Obituary: Dan Cruickshank,’ he amount to much. A few books, says. ‘It was shocking and some a daughter, a few buildings that bits are really quite painful.’ may have been saved and a tv Producer Matt Hill explains programme. It reminds me how how it happened: ‘During the transitory life is.’ programme we were looking Matt Hill is full of admiration. at memorials and Dan said he ‘Dan deserves a lot of praise for didn’t want one and that his facing up to his own mortality work should be his memorial. and putting himself through a So we wondered how we could pretty harrowing experience. test this and called the obits He was really quite unnerved department for some advice.’ by the whole thing and there Nick Serpell, who runs what were definitely a few drinks he calls the ‘Dead Centre’ of the afterwards to calm the nerves.’ BBC, takes up the story: ‘We were The Art of Dying, BBC Four, chatting about death, as you September 30

deaths that pass acid test

Asked if the obituary unit ever gets caught out by unexpected deaths such as that of Michael Jackson, Nick Serpell says: ‘No, we didn’t get caught out on Jackson. We’d done his obit because a couple of years ago I thought there was no way he was going to get old.’

tt So how is it decided whose obituaries are prepared? ‘I get calls sse

a from people who ask if I know so-and-so isn’t very well and I look at the k b Spooky or what? Dan birthday pages to see how old people are. My acid test is ‘will people be ar Cruickshank examines talking about that death at the pub tonight?’ If that’s the case we, as the his life/death mask, BBC, ought to do them. I think we’re the only broadcaster with an obit unit cast by sculptor Jamie that does stuff in advance. We try to do people our viewers, listeners and McCartney online readers would expect us to do. PHOTOGRAPHs: m

Just groan and spit out the blood...

by Peggy Walker books, helped her get the part. Claire has aspirations to act full time, but Filming took place at Elstree Studios. ‘I was remains committed to her role in FM&T, where Sharp-eyed viewers of Holby City might have surprised how much hard work it was,’ she her job is to make sure that all the internal tech- spotted a familiar face in a recent episode. It admits. ‘They needed me for four 12 hour days nology systems work for other disabled mem- was Claire Jennings, head of access technology so they could film it from different angles and bers of staff. (Her own emails pop up the same and usability strategy in FM&T, who was cast in with different lenses. I loved it, though. It’s easy way they do for all staff, but are then read out the drama as a blind, vomiting drug taker. for casting teams to bring in sighted actors, so I to her by an electronic voice.) ‘I played a blind woman who tried to regain think it’s quite brave of Holby City to go with dis- ‘I think that the work I do is important for her sight by taking magic mushrooms,’ Claire abled actors as often as they do.’ the BBC,’ she says. explains. ‘She thought she would hallucinate Most of Claire’s days were filled by pre- She began her BBC career as a weekend pre- and be able to see again but took too many and tending to sick up blood – a smoothie drink senter at BBC Essex but became frustrated by made herself very sick.’ with red dye mixed in with it. ‘I had to hold the introduction of a new editing system. ‘I just Claire lost her sight gradually as a child, it in my mouth until I was given my cue, couldn’t use it,’ she says, ‘so my current role was Bedside manner: Claire Jennings with and has been totally blind since she was 14. then I groaned and had to spit it out. It partly created thanks to that experience – to fellow Holby actor JD Keleher Her agent, who only has disabled clients on her tasted fine, though.’ make sure things like that didn’t happen again.’

BBC IN ACTION 8 9 blogbites What we found on the week@work blogs this week Red herrings Right: let’s have another stab at this. How many houses in Wales would the new million pound tax affect, given the plan is to work Trade SECRETS from land registry values – in other words what you paid for your house all those years ago, not what it might be worth now? Not many noughts, I ventured. Around 100? One nought, said my colleague. The answer is 40. So bringing in the tax in Wales would raise very little but we’d get a lot out. We have a disproportionate number of people earning a get compliant low income and given the money raised from the levy would go towards raising all of those areas or include stronger content people out of the tax bracket, Wales would be Paul Smith, Risk if the programme is well made getting rather a lot out of the pot. Good news head of editorial management: and they understand what it is for Wales, then. End of story. Remember trying to achieve. Sometimes Betsan Powys, BBC Wales’ political editor standards for Ross and a programme has to earn bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ Audio and Music, Brand the right over a period of betsanpowys/ time to take the biggest on why context risks. The recent taste Now the Guardian demands better weather and standards research Most of the time Britain’s weather is dull matters showed audiences and the clear-voiced experts who read it are remarkably out do their best to make it interesting. Last Know who your programme is Context is everything. The Make sure you can explain why sophisticated, and don’t week Peter Gibbs, one of the Met Office’s

1aimed at and what they expect 3programme’s place in the 6you are doing something. If mind strong content if Pho regular broadcasters, decided to read out t

from it. Remember, your core schedule, the genre and channel you can’t do this think again about there is a good reason to og the evening’s weather in the slow, routine r

target audience may not be the can all determine what you can and your editorial justification for the include it. a manner of the shipping forecast – ‘East Anglia, p only people viewing or listening to can’t do. A show shown late at night content. On the whole, the rules ma h: southern England, rain at first, heavy at times,

your programme – there may be for a specialist audience could have not changed but the scrutiny Have a working r dying out overnight, lowest temperature k ba k sizeable secondary audiences who contain material that wouldn’t levels have increased massively. knowledge of the 11 to 13 degrees, tomorrow dry with sunny 9 ssett have different expectations. Radio be acceptable elsewhere in the editorial guidelines. You are intervals’. It was a triumph – clear, informative Blast’s fashion manager Olaf breakfast shows often have more schedule. Think about the risks involved contractually obliged to work week showcasing the work of ten and memorable – and, even if intended as Parker helps designer Laura rate competition was held to find children listening than normal 7 in the programme. What are you within them. teens who, with Parker’s help, with her outfit on inside out, but a cheeky, one-off parody, it should herald Sallsbury put the finishing touch- eight T-shirt designs that will be because they coincide with the If you’re not sure about doing to mitigate them? Do you created their own fashion label, it was all part of the excitement,’ a quiet reformation of the BBC’s forecasts. es to a model’s outfit during Lon- sold on the site to raise money for school run. 4something refer it, ask experts need to give the audience more Read and understand 1.WO/MAN. The design team and explains Parker. ‘I’m working on Listeners, judging by their responses, liked the don Fashion Week. Children in Need. and discuss with colleagues. information or guidance such as a 10 the values of the BBC models all applied for the chance a slightly different format next new factual style. So make it permanent. The BBC’s creative network host- ‘We had lots of last minute emer- Don’t assume you can’t do warning before it starts? (they are on the back of to get involved in the project on year which will allow even more Eddie Mair, presenter ed its own catwalk event last gencies, including one model something. Come up with the Where there are strict most ID cards). the Blast website while a sepa- people to share in the design bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm/ 2 about to step onto the catwalk best idea you can without self 5 processes (eg competitions) Quality makes a difference. experience.’ bbc.co.uk/blast censoring as there might be a way or referrals (eg secret recordings) 8Interestingly, the audience Round Up: Thursday September 24 2009 to make it happen. I struggle to know what they are, fill in the form, will give you Autumn is traditionally the time when tv think of a programme idea that and stick to the process. Also more space schedulers roll out good news so let’s start has not gone ahead because of make sure you keep the to explore CHANGING there. The announcement on the blog that compliance issues. documentation. difficult iPlayer favourite Top Gear was getting the PLACES WHAT TO WEAR HD treatment has reverberated around the internet like a souped up Ford Fiesta Titanium. Chris Mason (pictured), u Iain Stirling, CBBC presenter, TVC There hasn’t been so much buzz since iPlayer Europe correspondent for got onto the PS3. Part one of the Telegraph’s nations and regions based Where did you buy the stylist. The money I would Have you had any fashion The 50 most influential Britons in technology u Steve Scott, duty in Brussels, becomes 5 live’s outfit you’re wearing in make in a month as a nightmares? featured blog contributor and regular SHAMELESS PLUG operations manager, political reporter… Special the photo? student, I spent in two When I was young my Mum commenter Andy Quested at number 42 and Bush House assistant editor in news, Top from Adidas; ‘Lyle and hours on Oxford Street. used to knit me jumpers the BBC’s legendary Brandon Butterworth at Sally Freestone, Scot’ t-shirt from Urban including a ‘Postman 27. What unites these two? Probably two of In my experience as a guitarist, becomes W1 migration man- Outfitters; jeans from Levi; Are you experimental in Pat’ one that was a total the coolest job titles imaginable: ‘principal band practice and shift work don’t ager... 1Xtra breakfast show trainers from Office. your style? shocker. technologist, HD’ and ‘chief scientist, BBC’ mix, unless a last minute rehears- producer Julie Shepherd I think I play it relatively respectively. al for a staff Christmas party is moves to present West- Do you need to dress a safe but if I ever wanted a Whose wardrobe would Paul Murphy, internet blog editor called for. Instead I figured I’d be COMING UP wood’s drivetime show particular way for work? dodgy shirt I can always you most like to rummage bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/ better suited to a studio project, at the station... South East Just stuff I’m comfortable ask my flat mate as he has through? so with singer/writer Chris Fosh u A final series ofA shes to Ashes has been com- Today presenter Bever- in. Although we get a quite a few. I quite like Pharrell Next week’s themes... we started Electro Voice Project missioned for BBC One by channel controller Jay ley Thompson leaves the clothing budget and a Williams’s style. It has been an exhausting week, and I’m which fuses deep, rich, spoken Hunt and controller of drama commissioning Ben BBC. Polly Smith and Rob looking forward to the weekend off. Running vocals with guitar-synth electro. Stephenson. Pencilled in for 2010 the series will Evans now present the the Berlin marathon last Sunday has probably We recorded demo tracks in my follow DI Alex Drake as she continues her quest to evening regional news pro- got something to do with my tiredness. I flat using a cupboard as a vocal find out why she is back in the 1980s. It will be exec gramme... Sam Smith, head started well and stayed on my target till booth and posted the results on produced by Piers Wenger. of research for tv, becomes 35k when the heat took its toll on me. I still MySpace. Somehow we man- u CBeebies will explore different religious and head of audi- SPEECH PATTERNS managed to finish in under three hours but aged to get a guest performance cultural festivals in Let’s Celebrate. The 15x15 ence serv- that was down to great support and a rather at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club and minute series was commissioned by controller ices and op- Chapterisation... It’s early stirring bit of Whitney that was blasting out as I after that I set up EVP Recordings. Michael Carrington and will tx next year. Made in erations in days, but Audio and Music is ran the stretch. Thanks to ‘mates’ rates’, favours, house, it will be exec produced by Alison Stewart. brand and pioneering ‘chapters’ on on demand Bryan Burnett, Radio Scotland presenter and a graphic designer wanting u Controller of BBC Two Janice Hadlow and com- planning. programmes. These will let users bbc.co.uk/blogs/bryanburnett/2009/09/

Electric payment in aftershave, The EVP EP missioning editor for independents Mark Bell have Pho navigate within programmes, help next_weeks_themes_92.shtml t

friends: is now available on iTunes. Track commissioned History Cold Case for the chan- og them link to interesting moments,

r

a Steve Scott previews and a professionally nel. Each of the 4x60 minute episodes will focus on p and ultimately mean that users will be

(front) directed video can also be found a corpse from a different era of history and work ma h: able to find all items the BBC has on a Are you a BBC blogger? Do you have a blog r

with singer at myspace.com/electrovoice- out how they would have lived. Made by Shine TV ba k subject. 5 live is testing chapters on its you’re proud of? Email Laura Scarrott

Chris Fosh project. and exec produced by Cassian Harrison, the series ssett new website. bbc.co.uk/5live is expected to go out next year.

IF YOU HAVE A suggestion FOR who or what should be in WEEK@WORK PLEASE Email Laura Scarrott 10 Opinion/Analysis a 29·09·09 For a BBC under fire, Strictly aview is part of the ammunition

Saturday night entertainment shows have gone SALLY head to head since The Two Ronnies took on Game HILLIER for a Laugh, but for some, the Strictly v X Factor Convergence of clash is more than a media debate – it goes to the an odd alliance heart of what the BBC is for, says Torin Douglas Joan Bakewell and Jeremy Hunt – not a great deal in common, you would have thought, yet there they were last week, each ‘Strictly under siege,’ ran on a mission to change things in BBC news. one headline last week, above Strictly’s Zoe Lucker Stacey Bakewell, veteran presenter and now a a particularly doom-laden and James Jordan Soloman government adviser on ageism, wants more view of the storm that is swirl- performs on older women presenting the bulletins while ing around the BBC’s Saturday The X Factor Hunt, shadow culture secretary, thinks the night dance show. BBC should ‘actively look for some Conserv- ‘It’s a debacle,’ wrote Alison atives to be part of its newsgathering team’. Boshoff in the Daily Mail. ‘The Revealing that she had had talks with both BBC has taken a successful en- Mark Thompson and Helen Boaden, director tertainment show and, by re- of news, Bakewell suggested that she had scheduling it against ITV’s The influenced their thinking on expanding the X Factor and tweaking it by sack- newsreading pool. But did she? According ing a star judge, turned it into a to the Sunday Telegraph, the dg’s inspiration disaster... was Selina Scott, who won an age discrimi- ‘Not only has the [schedul- nation case against Five, and is well known ing strategy failed, it has also for her strong views on the lack of older fe- caused many to question the male presenters. ‘The pair have been chums,’ BBC’s status as a public service says the paper, ‘since they worked together broadcaster.’ 25 years ago when Scott anchored Breakfast- Jana Bennett, the BBC’s di- Time and Thompson was her tea boy.’ rector of vision, gave the BBC’s Teaboy, eh? Whoever prompted Thomp- side of the story in a blog, in son, it is certainly true that he has spoken to which she sought to reassure Boaden and other senior execs ‘about the staff: ‘From the perspective of need to have a broad range of presenters on the BBC we shouldn’t get too air – including older women’. thrown by this media debate... day schedule moving from fam- course by people who want to What he has not done, as has been widely There’s been a long tradition ily drama to entertainment to make a larger point about the reported, is to give ‘a 12 month deadline to re- of competing entertainment ‘Some want sport. And Jana Bennett has de- BBC at the expense of a great cruit a female presenter over 50’. No such cut- shows on BBC One and ITV on fended the decision robustly: show.’ off point, nor age stipulation, has been set. a Saturday night – from Noel to make ‘These two great shows, with loy- Yet it’s not just the schedul- Critics always make much of the fact that vs Cilla; to The Two Ronnies up al fans, have happily co-existed ing issue that has raised ques- female newsreaders are often significant- against Game for a Laugh.’ a larger on a Saturday night since they tions about the BBC’s public ly younger than, as Bakewell puts it, their began,’ she blogged. ‘Indeed, responsibilities. The dropping ‘jowly, white’ male counterparts, but actually Decision backfired point at the every season the press have ex- of 66-year-old Arlene Phillips – the BBC doesn’t do too badly when it comes Indeed there has – but this citedly written about the two to be replaced by the 30-year-old to mature female representation in news is now more than a media shows going head to head and Alesha Dixon – has re-kindled and current affairs, with the likes of Kirsty debate. For some, the question expense of a whether Bruce or Simon would the perennial debate about the Wark, Maxine Mahwhinny, Caroline Wyatt and of whether the BBC should com- be crowned king of the living lack of older women on tv. Bridget Kendall. pete for audiences on Saturday great show room. Where it doesn’t do so well, according night goes to the heart of what ‘The shows have overlapped Age issue won’t go away to Jeremy Hunt, is in having enough Tories the BBC is for, and it has taken JANA BENNETT more than 40 times in the past – Many viewers who’ve bombard- in its ranks. After the MP made his point at on particular significance in the and on many occasions for well ed the BBC’s messageboards, are a Broadcasting Press Guild event, the BBC current political and economic side organisation, not a govern- over an hour. So this is noth- more aggravated about the ‘Ar- quickly, and rightly, pointed out that it would climate. ing body with ‘BBC’ in its title. ing new to either the schedul- lene versus Alesha battle’ than not recruit people on the basis of their politi- With the BBC already under The trust’s chairman Michael ers, or more importantly, the the scheduling clash. And de- cal views, and that impartiality had to remain fire from its commercial com- Lyons rejected that point, but public. Indeed, this year there spite the BBC’s denial that the the bedrock of its news operation. petitors, the BBC Trust has now acknowledged the concern is even more choice for viewers decision was taken on grounds Even so, Hunt touched a nerve that has sustained a triple salvo from about Strictly’s scheduling. with Strictly launching on a Fri- of age – and Arlene’s re-emer- been exposed before. Some of the BBC’s own the culture secretary, the shad- He told The Times that day and Saturday night and The gence on a new BBC dance show people have spoken out on this issue, notably ow culture secretary and the in principle the BBC should X Factor scheduled on a Saturday – the age issue won’t go away. Andrew Marr, who at a seminar on impartiality culture select committee. Strict- focus ‘on the quality and im- and Sunday night. Last week, it was reported three years ago pointed to a ‘cultural liberal ly has been part of the ammu- pact of its programmes, not ‘The great fact about Strictly that Mark Thompson had asked bias’ within the corporation, and former nition. Jeremy Hunt, the Con- just audience share’ and hinted and The X-Factor is both shows the director of news Helen Today reporter Robin Aitken who claimed that servatives’ spokesman, told the that he thought the BBC’s deci- are highly popular with the pub- Boaden to find an older woman in 25 years at the BBC he had met only a smat- Royal Television Society Cam- sion had backfired. Viewers had lic – nearly 20m viewers tuned newsreader, as part of a wider tering of staff with right wing views. bridge Convention the decision been ‘asked to make a choice in last Saturday. With about move to ensure the BBC reflects More recently BBC Four controller to schedule the dance show at between the programmes and 90 percent of homes now with a broad range of backgrounds Richard Klein has said that most of the BBC’s the same time as The X Factor that choice didn’t go in favour digital television and many of in its on-screen talent. employees ‘think the same’. had been extraordinary and of the BBC’. those with digital recorders or Inevitably, the headlines Does it matter? Well, it does if the BBC would disappoint thousands of broadband, the chances are if harked back to the ‘fury over wants a truly diverse workforce, to reflect licence-payers. He claimed the You can watch both shows you want to watch both shows Arlene’. the audience it serves. incident highlighted a problem Privately, the trust is thought to you can. ITV repeats The X-Factor • The X-Factor outperformed They might have been making different with the governance of the BBC have been satisfied by executives seven times over the week, and Strictly on Saturday by 8.9m to points, but the respective messages from – and that if people felt angry claiming that it was not easy to Strictly is available on iPlayer for 7.6m viewers. Bakewell and Hunt amounted to pretty much and disappointed, they ought avoid a clash at this stage, with- seven days from broadcast. Torin Douglas is BBC media the same thing. to be able to complain to an out- in the constraints of a Satur- ‘So let’s not get knocked off correspondent Sally Hillier is deputy editor of Ariel

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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

Creche out this the clubs intend to enter into a Outsourcing can work brilliantly. Chil- joint venture to form a single club tern College has run the BBC Moni- We shouldn’t recruit on basis of favouritism and hope to extend the membership toring nursery in Reading since it The announcement that BBC News is ‘actively case that they were discriminated against on to everyone, no matter where they opened 14 years ago. It has taken work, to give access to all the exist- care of our children, and children seeking to recruit a female newsreader over the grounds of their age or gender. ing clubs, organise BBC wide inter whose parents work for BBC Radio the age of 50’ appears to be trumpeting Attempting to solve the problem of age site activities, discount schemes and Berkshire and BBC Oxford. our intention to break the age-discrimination discrimination with more age discrimination other member privileges and create The nursery is sited in our laws. does not sound like a formula for success a sustainable future for the BBC. grounds at Caversham Park, in a pur- Meetings have been held in some Anyone under 50, or any man who unsuccess- to me. pose-built building. Bluebells grow clubs and where this has happened under the garden trees, and you can fully applies for a newsreading job in the com- Mark Hanrahan the members have voted strongly sometimes see muntjak deer feeding ing months, would appear to have an iron-clad acp, FM&T in favour of a single global club. We on the other side of the fence. hope that all the members of every The nursery’s ethos has always club will sign up to this exciting been the same. The children are have been trying work we commissioned from this site, along with many ‘readers initiative. taught to care for one another, to be to find out why Andrew Marr, Jimmy Doherty and comments’ on BBC blogs, seem to We hope to become a Company gentle, and unsparing with affec- the series The Voy- David Attenborough among others. be filled with the same people who Limited by Guarantee to be known as tion. I think this testifies more to the age of Charles Dar- The BBC is proud of its associa- have hijacked the discussion to air The BBC Club Limited. quality of care provided than any win has not been tion with the film Creation but this their often questionable views. BBC Club chairpersons Ofsted report can. shown as part had no bearing on the decision. Is moderating this kind of Some of my daughter’s friends are of the Darwin The world moves on and audiences’ material a good use of licence fee close as cousins. And I have become season. tastes change – we must accept that. money? Another chance better friends with colleagues whose I’ve been I would have liked to make the Carl Davies Why is Stephen children she plays with. Not infre- unable to get a older series available to view as part media manager, I&A Fry’s BBC Two quently we support each other: pick- satisfactory an- of the digital archive. Hopefully, as programme ing up a child whose parent may be swer from any the archive develops and online dig- called Last Chance stuck on a train, for example. of the many people I have asked. I ital rights become less complex, this Fear for freelancers to See when it’s Because of colleagues’ rave was even more mystified because of will become possible. The regulations state that freelanc- available on BBC reviews of the nursery, I felt reas- all the recent hype surrounding the ers aren’t eligible for a taxi to or iPlayer (to see sured enough to return to work full release of the film Creation which from work. So, are we happy to ask whenever you time when my daughter was seven purports to tell the Darwin story in System’s got a leak them to work unsociable hours but get a chance, months old. I breastfed her until she a new way when, in fact, the 1978 se- Julia Harris is letting Siemens get not be bothered about how they get presumably)? was a year by visiting at lunch time. ries covered the same ground plus a off lightly with an anti-spam system in and out of the building? Gary Lonergan How to describe the peace of lot more. that only ‘anticipates catching about What would be our official line if freelance art editor mind of knowing your child is only I can now only assume that, as 90-95 percent of all spam’ (Septem- something happened to one of these in the next building as you work? Or the BBC is involved in this feature ber 22). freelancers on their journey in for the pleasure of catching a glimpse film, it doesn’t want to mire its own I’m with Tiscali at home and they a late/night shift? It seems that yet DG is white van man of them out the window, on a walk publicity by showing the excellent catch 100 percent of spam and have again freelancers are second class So, driving along the M20 in Kent, on around our extensive grounds? and in depth seven-part archive been doing so for several years. citizens. my way to work on Tuesday morning Well, the nursery closes its doors drama series. I occasionally check it on web- Carolyn Rice last week, I was somewhat astounded on October 2 as part of a BBC-wide Helena Stones mail and it’s always 100 percent ac- bj, business and economics unit, news by the sight of a white van overtak- decision to shut all in-house nurs- college of production, BBC Academy curate. I suggest we change our ISP. ing me. eries. I rage and spit and swear over Bob Clary, contract project manager, Proudly written on the back was: the mealy-mouthed excuse that it’s Chantal Badjie, pan-BBC season transmission and distribution, WS Club together ‘Mark Thompson Electrical Services’ because the BBC’s in-house nursery project manager, replies: We did, of There are currently eight separate (no, it is real: www.markthompsone- provision was not equitable, and could course, view the wonderful seven- BBC Clubs with premises of their lectricalservices.co.uk) not meet the needs of all parents. parter The Voyage of Charles Darwin Go without saying own — Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, And I wondered, whether in this But I am profoundly grateful for before the shape of the season for May I make a suggestion about Caversham, London, Manchester, time of post-credit-crunch austerity, the four years of happiness the nurs- 2009 was finalised. where we could save some money? Plymouth and Southampton. They has the dg had to resort to moon- ery provided me. Thank you Chiltern I enjoyed it and the painstaking Close the ‘Have Your Say’ page on are now working together to create lighting? College. And thank you, BBC. You replica of HMS Beagle was magnifi- bbc.co.uk. a single unified organisation which Dave Austin don’t have measures adequate to cent, even if some of the storytelling It obviously costs money to mod- anyone working for the BBC, includ- FM&T assess the goodwill you earned. and voiceover is a bit old fashioned to erate what is effectively a shop win- ing our partners and associates Tse Yin Lee modern ears and eyes. dow for rants, ignorance and a such as Siemens, Capita and Red senior monitoring journalist I do wish we could have shown it lack of anything positive. There is Bee, can join. Call of nature again, even though it is showing its even a website dedicated to ‘the drib- You might be surprised to learn Has anyone else noticed that the on-screen age, but to ask any of our ble-spattered lunacy of BBC ‘Have that the clubs are entirely independ- new soap in the BBC toilets at Fittest fails to survive channels to give up seven hours of Your Say’ discussions’. ent, although their aims and purposes Television Centre smells like natural I read Alan Griffiths’s letter (Septem- prime broadcast time to a 30 year- I can understand that, as the remain the same. yoghurt? ber 15) with interest and was sorry to old drama series would have meant BBC, we want to endorse comment They have no legal link either to Ben Dirs see that no reply was provided. I too sacrificing the fresh, contemporary and give a voice to the public but the BBC or to each other. To resolve BBC Sport website

ine and gener- Derby, recalls that his days seemed where needed. tional. He latterly set up a successful OBITUARY ous. He made like the Tardis. There was more He arrived at BBC Radio Derby in web design company and then ran a his programme room inside them than us non time- 1983 to present the mid-morning specialist tea and coffee shop in his graham knight team’s life stretching Lords could quite under- show and stayed for 14 years. And adopted home of Nottingham. Mention the radio presenter easier, and stand. Into it went work, wildly yet he loved being freelance; it Graham had been ill for some Graham Knight to those who knew frequently fun- assorted interests, family and allowed him to juggle many things. time, but typically he was often him and the words you keep hearing nier. As an friends, and any random conversa- He broadcast Monday to Friday for more concerned about his wife are genuine, generous, warm and interviewer he tion you might want to have with BBC Radio Derby and Saturday and Cherry, his boys and his friends than caring. As a person he was one of was Paxman- him. How else did he turn up with Sundays for Radio 2. himself. the good guys, as a broadcaster he persistent, but a headful of ideas/books read/news Among others he also worked for It was a privilege to know and was the consummate professional. if sometimes scanned/contact book every morn- BBC exhibitions, BBC television, BBC work with Graham; we’ll miss his He was at home in the radio stu- bloody-minded, ing? And however busy he was, Children in Need and also helped broad grin – you could hear it on-air dio – simply because he was exactly almost always bloody marvellous. he always made time to chat and many organisations such as the and enjoy it in his company. the same on and off air: nosey, genu- Jan Rogers, a colleague at BBC offer encouragement or support National Trust and Amnesty Interna- Gary Andrews

 

a 29.09.09 14 Jobs See Attachment 

                 Comply                                with me                       The political research              unit’s Mark Williams              jumps on a conveyor               belt of controversy              A top floor office overlooking Westminster            Abbey, easy access to the Houses of Parliament and           a front-row seat for the daily political theatre that      Westminster offers up. For a self-confessed politi-         cal geek, working in the political research unit in      Millbank was obviously hell.        A couple of months ago I swapped the beating          heart of politics for the beating heart of the BBC,            at least until the next general election. Thankfully,               editorial policy has offered a spectacularly poor        haven from political controversies. Tory complaints     about Alan Sugar, the prospect of televised lead-        ers’ debates in a general election and Nick Griffin’s             mooted appearance on Question Time have all made                    They are                     not a                    group            of finger                      wagging                    killjoys                      White City feel like a home away from home.     But that’s only been the half of it: from Arlene        Phillips to George Alagiah, it sometimes feels like       there’s a conveyor belt taking the top stories of the        day from the newspapers straight to our office.              And that, in a nutshell, is what gives working        in editorial policy its fascination: the situations we        deal with are as varied as the BBC itself. Across all        genres and platforms, the day throws up a mixture          of fire fighting and honing of early-warning sys-          tems to prevent future conflagrations. Above it all,       there is a constant striving to define what the BBC        is for, what it should do and how it should do it. So          quite straightforward, really.        My experience has shown editorial policy to be        far different from the clichéd view some have of it           as a group of finger-wagging killjoys determined       to rain on programme makers’ parades. What has        struck me has been the passion that the team them-        selves have for quality tv and radio. The dreaded ‘c’       word, compliance, is not some arbitrary pedantry     designed to get in the way, but a blueprint designed         by people with real experience in the field to help        make all BBC content as good as it can possibly be.         The BBC can be a baffling place to work and it’s      all too easy to stay in your silo and comfort zone.      Vision, FM&T, MC&A…to me, they were all abstrac-         tions referenced in emails from on high. No longer,            and with knowledge comes understanding and     with understanding comes appreciation. I’m glad I’ve burst out blinking into the light to catch a fleeting glimpse of the wider BBC world.     Been anywhere nice? Send your attachment    stories to Clare Bolt           

    

14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 29·09·09 What am I doing here 15 PHOTOGRAPH: e d swi

JOSIE CAHILL nd foreign e Internal communications n manager, BBC North report and Children’s She used to take tips from Emma Jamie Oliver, Peil but now gives Scotland researcher advice to those does a stint in uganda thinking of The UBC office in Kampala is a shiny, mod- moving to ern building – from the outside at least. The new facade hides a run-down concrete Salford block which bears the scars of Uganda’s turbulent past; bullet holes can be seen in some of the windows from the days when new governments stormed the radio build- ing during military coups. That’s all in the past, although the gov- ernment still exerts a strong influence and partly funds UBC, where I had a month’s placement over the summer. In that time the minister for information and national guidance, princess Kabakumba Matsiko, visited. The next day we were told that news programmes had to observe ‘politi- cal protocol’ – ie that the first story must What do you do for BBC North? What things do you get asked When did you start working for with bankers all day. It wasn’t be about president Museveni, regardless of I started not long before the about most? children’s? my cup of tea. I left that and what else was happening. BBC Trust gave the project the People want to know what cer- I started in June. It was a great worked in the only Michelin A typical day starts at 8am (or 8.30am, green light. I helped design tain areas of the north west are opportunity to work with a Star Chinese restaurant in the or 9am... Ugan- the BBC North website, which I like, where to live, what the department I’d been commu- world and served lots of famous dan time is now edit. I look for content and schools are like. nicating with. Already it has people like Jamie Oliver and Ben Two days ‘elastic’) with video clips to feature, and help People worry that Media been useful to see how comms Affleck. The tips were amazing. the reporters’ organise events and the e news- City is a bit out of town, and from BBC North reach people, before I left, meeting. Tips are letter for staff. wonder what other companies and what needs changing. I also Have you ever lived abroad? shared, stories I’m a point of contact for will be sharing the site with us. wanted to go and work in a pro- I lived in California when I was riots erupted assigned and a London staff whose jobs are Often people get caught up with duction area because I’ve not 16. I went to high school and the mad scramble moving and anyone wanting the little things, like how many had experience in that. prom and home coming. It was in Kampala begins. There to know about BBC North, and bicycle bays there will be, and brilliant. My Mum did a work aren’t enough I communicate information miss out on the bigger vision. Do you split your time between exchange so swapped her job cameras, so reporters often need to wait about the move to Manchester Manchester and London then? and our house with an Ameri- for someone else to return before they can staff, as well as to staff across What is the bigger vision? Yes. I try to do two days in Lon- can family. I’ve still got friends go out. There aren’t any radio mics or boom the north. It’s about being more open to don, but I have to be flexible. I there who I visit when I can. poles. There often aren’t enough batter- working with external part- stay with friends in London so ies or tapes. Just getting to a story can be a How do you think people in the ners. Not everyone is going to it’s nice to see them. It’s a bit Where do you like to go out in challenge as usually there’s no car availa- regions are feeling? be able to move, and I under- tiring but it’s worth it. Manchester? ble. Walking in 30+heat, with kit, isn’t much There is a definite interest in stand that, but if you can it I love the vintage shops and fun, but it beats taking a boda – a motorcy- the north west, and in the will be an unbelievable opportu- What did you do before joining independent bars of the North- cle taxi. The drivers usually have no licence departments that are moving nity. You can be part of something the BBC? ern Quarter. I like the way it’s a and little regard for safety. here. Eight hundred people from the start. For me, it’s not I worked for the British Council bit edgy and interesting. Sometimes reporters are given money have signed up to the BBC North really about the buildings, as on global scholarship projects. by press conference organisers to encour- Enthusiasts list – those people lovely as they will be, but the They offered people from oth- So I assume you’d like to work age them to go along. My questions about with jobs that aren’t ‘in scope’ people and what we will do dif- er countries the chance to come at MediaCity then? how that might affect impartiality were to move, but who want to be ferently there. and study for a Masters degree Yes, and I plan to flog my house brushed off with ‘It’s just how it works’. kept informed. which they would be able to to some big media exec so I can Around lunchtime, UBC reporters start to How do you get to work each day? use back in their home coun- move somewhere posher. I’m edit and file their stories. There are only five What do you say to people who I’ve just started cycling in from try. A lot of people from Iraq did joking... It’s great as I’m walk- computers, two of which are always in use are due to move to Salford? Old Trafford. It takes about 11 peace studies at UK universities, ing distance from the site at the by the news editors. Getting a pc to write a For me, it’s not a sell. It’s about minutes whereas it used to take and then passed on what they’d minute. script is like musical chairs. The same goes providing information so peo- me 10 minutes just to walk to learnt back home. for editing, with the four pcs in the edit ple can make an informed deci- my nearest bus stop. I used to How have the familiarisation suite in constant demand. sion, rather than trying to sell be too scared of the traffic but You used to work in London? tours of the north west for staff Each weekday, UBC news staff produce them Manchester over London. now I’ve got a helmet and I just I did a graduate job in the City. in line to move gone down? four morning bulletins, a lunchtime bulle- They’re different cities. go for it. It was dreadful. I was dealing I went along to some of the tin, an afternoon update and three evening evening meals and I’ve been sur- news programmes (in Luganda, Swahili and You set up the buddy scheme? prised how little people know English). I worked as a camera operator, Yes, there are about 100 bud- about Manchester. Everyone’s voiced updates (with some spectacularly bad dies on the website now. Lon- CV really impressed though, with pronunciation of African names) and had a don staff can get first hand feed- Degree: Sheffield University, literature and language. the city and the site itself. chance to script, voice and edit my own back about what it’s like to live Manchester will never have report. Two days before I left riots erupted in and work in Manchester from First paid job: Working in a greasy spoon cafe for £1.80 as many shops, bars and thea- Kampala. The government wouldn’t let UBC a buddy. Many of the buddies an hour, near Salford. tres as London, but it does have cover the story (the tv manager was sus- featured on the website have Career landmark: When BBC North finally got green light lots and they are really good. pended for letting one report go out); we got made the move away from Lon- from the trust; we’d been in the planning stages for months away with it by doing a ‘business’ piece about don themselves and are able to business in the city centre coming to a halt. share their experiences. and it felt great to be able to shout from the roof tops. Interview by Peggy Walker

> CONTACT peggy walker to suggest a colleague for this feature 16 a 29·09·09 green room ▲ THE ARIELAT0R WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: BBC Jersey have won a ‘Crapaud D’or’ award. ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off Lying down Stop that sniggering at the back – despite what the title may suggest, this is in fact a Good Thing. ▲ UPSIDE A dou- The awards are handed out annually by the Con- ble up ariela- gres des Parlers Normands et Jerriaise to any ▲ tor this week as on the job island organisation helping to promote the Jer- two brave souls sey French language and keep it alive. Crapaud is ▲ separately took actually a local name for the common toads that their place in art cover the island. ▲ history on An- tony Gormley’s BBC Radio Suffolk presenters Mark Murphy installation at the and Rob Dunger have gone where no man has ▲ Fourth Plinth in gone before. The breakfast show duo are be- Trafalgar Square. lieved to be the first men ever to become presi- ▲ For his hour Glasgow-based presenter dent and secretary of the Women’s Institute in and producer Huw Williams (above) Earl Soham, Suffolk in its 90 year history. Mur- ▲ donned a very smart suit and played a phy and Dunger took on the challenge as part selection of music from the 1920s and of their ‘jobs for the boys’ feature which has in ▲ 1930s on a portable cd player, ‘in trib- the past seen them working ute to the earliest days of broadcast- as chambermaids in a ▲ ing’. Journalism trainee Kay Crewdson hotel and tightrope travelled from BBC Belfast for her stint walking in a local on the plinth, opting for the less refined circus. ▲ but worthwhile route of charity promo- tion. She also found time for a quick live Dangling ▲ OB to Radio Ulster’s drivetime show. down a cliff face to film ▼ downSIDE Last week’s 35th birthday an eagle’s of Ceefax was a bittersweet occasion, nest for Coast ▼ marking the final proper anniversary of didn’t faze pre- the tv text service that’s gradually being senter Neil Ol- ▼ switched off around the country to be iver and celebrity replaced by the ubiquitous digital Red No, it’s not a bizarre protest people standing holding mattresses farmer Jimmy Do- Button. Sadly future generations will against long working hours, nor is and getting knocked over by the one herty (right) who took ▼ be deprived of the thrill of constantly it a rehearsal for the latest Satur- in front of them, to endlessly amus- riding through croc-in- changing pages that always seemed to day night gameshow extravaganza ing effect. The Guinness-monitored fested waters for Jimmy’s Global Farm in his stride. ▼ flick to the next one just when you didn’t (although…). So why were there 100 attempt was successful, but not So what would be outside their comfort zone, want them to, necessitating having to mattresses arranged in a spiral for- without incident – one media man- asked Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark, at a Vision Forum ▼ sit and watch them all roll round again to mation around the TVC hub last week, ager was left bereft after the Blue session on specialist factual in Pacific Quay. Be- see what you missed. Ceefax aficiona- accompanied by 100 people, some Peter badge he had been given for ing an accountant, said Doherty; being asked to ▼ dos should check out the Magazine’s ex- of whom were in their pyjamas? Two his participation got broken in the sing and dance, confessed Oliver; no Strictly invi- cellent 10 things you didn’t know about words: Blue Peter. As we previewed a stunt. ‘They’re a lot harder than they tation for you then, said Wark. ▼ Ceefax at tinyurl.com/ceefax35 few weeks back, the team mounted look,’ he said of the plastic covered an audacious attempt at the mattress mattresses (all donated to charity Unwitting BBC Manchester conference goers ▼ dominoes world record (which stood after the event). ‘I finally get given a thinking they had nothing more shocking to at 80 mattresses). For the uninitiated badge and now it’s broken. It spiked face in their day than a particularly excruciating (where have you been?) this means me right in the nipple’. Powerpoint animation might have had a surprise ▼ last week: ‘Crimewatch are using the conference room for some auditions – there could be some ▼ screaming… be warned,’ ran a cheerful memo to rebel songs staff. A brush with the au- Win a Have I Got thorities for BBC Essex Billy Bragg and EARWIGGING presenter Chris Pen- Chris Penhall News For You book hall last week during hit the streets OVERHEARD AT THE BBC a busking lesson with This country can be noted rabble-rouser a confusing place at …When I got back from Billy Bragg outside the the best of times, but that Brucie thing the other Tower of London to what better guides to promote Southend’s the state of the nation day I just couldn’t settle… Big Busk event. The than the Have I Got singer was halfway News For You team? …I always sleep in through Redemption With their Guide the recovery position Song (‘a bit of Bob Mar- to Modern Britain ley goes a long way’, he (out October 1) the anyway… advised) when he was people behind the suddenly cut short by claims. The presenter really began to panic.’ show aim to help …He literally has the voice of God. Or at least two security guards wasn’t so confident Nonetheless she gave us understand why John the Baptist… who ushered the pair about her on-air busk- a stirring rendition of ‘the most ingen- on. Bragg retaliated ing debut, though. ‘As Bragg’s song New Eng- ious, resilient, resourceful, …Hello, Dudley Zoo? Can I speak to a Mr with a burst of I Fought soon as I agreed to do land, worthy of the man and proudest people on earth became the Twit- the Law, but Chris was it, I began to panic,’ himself – which was tering, touchy-feely, fame-obsessed, flu fearing C.Lion?… undeterred: ‘It was all she admits. ‘When I ar- just as well as he was wimps that they are today’. To enter to win one done in very good hu- rived at the Tower and standing right next to of five copies, just answer this question: What …Why would I have ordered 2500 mour, so it wasn’t em- realised what I had let her playing the accom- magazine does Ian Hislop edit? sandwiches?… barrassing at all,’ she myself in for, I really, panying guitar. Email ariel.competitions by October 5.

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