Jack Straw criticises "prancing" newsreaders

I wonder if anyone has noticed this article on the BBC News website. I have to say that for once I agree with Jack Straw. Newsreaders should just sit behind the desk and read the news, not strut about the studio in front of unnecessary graphics. The infuriating fad for doing so is copied from ITV News and is another symptom of the dumbing down and tabloidisation of British television news.

Jack S really must get out more

If our newsreaders and Sportscasters were sitting behind th desk decade on decade, it would seem extremely boring. At BBC Scotland, Jackie Bird and Davie Robertson stand up while newsreading - and Ali Walker is the only one who does sit behind a desk on the main bulletins reading the sport. When the news updates are on-air, then anyone who's presenting sits behind a desk.

Agree with Jack. There's no point to them standing, it just looks very contrived. If someone can't concentrate for 8 minutes on someone reading the news then I think they need to learn to. It's a complete fad that the BBC have had to copy to pretend they're in touch with the viewer. Even disregarding the standing up, the set looks bodged, the studio interview shots showing Mr. Edwards trying to look interested are cringeworthy, there's little news content and the majority of reporters are rubbish and light-weight. So I don't think there's much going for it.

Whilst I'm not a great fan of standing up news (and don't get me started on desk-perching ), I really think if you're talking about BBC News becoming more tabloidal, presenters on their feet is the least of your worries.

Instead I'd concentrate on the content, which on the Six and One particularly seems much more focused on thicko-friendly sensationalist, family, consumer and domestic stories.

I agree SFH.
Yet again..you are spot on

Erm, three posters with a username of "(Female Name) Fan" in just 5 posts. Hmm?!

I cant help there might be a bit more to think about in the House of Commons.

What a complete **** waste of my tax money.

Here's the full quote:

"On the issue of whether MPs should prance around parliament or actually sit at a desk and discuss the news, which is what it seems to me they are paid for - and too much - personally I prefer the latter to the former," Mr Straw told the Commons.

"On the issue of accuracy," he continued...

So there you have it TVN, you're wrong, and you're a grotesquely ugly freak.

10 points for the Brass Eye reference.

The whole exchange is, of course, on Hansard: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060518/debtext/60518-0238.htm#060518114000204

Slightly off topic, anyone see HIGNFY tonight?

One of the 'Odd One Out', featured 3 pics of dogs & Natasha Kaplinsky.

'The audience are making up their own jokes!', said Paul Merton.

When did NK become such a 'figure of fun'?

Strictly Come Dancing, or ealier than that?

When she joined BBC News.