The Newsroom

Are BBC 1 News Presenters Credible?

(September 2004)

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BB
BBCTV2003
Maybe the whole make news presenters seem more human idea is an idea for a ratings boost for BBC News, if the viewing public like what they see on Strictly Come Dancing, or Children In Need etc, then maybe they would want to watch more of the presenters when they present the news. Also programmes such as those raise the profile of the stars which participate whether they are news or not.

So far the conversation has been about BBC News, but what if Mark Austin, Mary Nightingale, or Trevor McDonald donned sparkly outfits and danced the night away on national television. Would you think any less of them regardless of whether it was for charity or not.
SM
smw
Its not new for a news presenter to present a non-news programme. Micheal Burek presented 999, Jill Dando did Holiday, Huw Edwards has presented things for BBC Wales which are non-news. Whats the programme?

As long as these presenters can still present the news well, whats the issue? I can't understand why we can't see the personality of news presenters and still see them as being serious presenters - we can all be serious and fun at different times and I would imagine that people won't have a problem with Natasha doing Come Dancing and Breakfast.
TW
Turnbull and Williams
smw posted:
Its not new for a news presenter to present a non-news programme. Micheal Burek presented 999, Jill Dando did Holiday, Huw Edwards has presented things for BBC Wales which are non-news. Whats the programme?

As long as these presenters can still present the news well, whats the issue? I can't understand why we can't see the personality of news presenters and still see them as being serious presenters - we can all be serious and fun at different times and I would imagine that people won't have a problem with Natasha doing Come Dancing and Breakfast.


I entirely agree, there is no problem with this at all. If these journalists have the versatility to do presenting roles as well then good on them.

Earlier in the thread people mentioned the fact that Zeinab Badawi and Lyse Doucet would never move into entertainment presenting. Has it not crossed your minds that the reason for this is that they would be wholly unsuitable for the job?

There's no conspiracy theory going on here, it's just about people doing what they're good at.

Incidentally, on the Natasha point, I never used to rate her as a news presenter when she first arrived at Breakfast. But she grew on me, and now I see her as an EXTREMELY credible presenter. Her authoritative but relaxed style on Breakfast completely shows up Dermot's wooden demeanour, and when coupled with Bill's relaxed gravitas it makes the programme an entirely watchable affair.

In addition, she has proved herself to be an excellent bulletin reader, certainly better than George Alagiah, Darren Jordon and many of the rest.

Presenting light entertainment programmes will make no difference to her ability to anchor news programming as she does now.
MI
mizzb
BBC WORLD posted:
Interested to read that Natasha Kaplinsky is to be a co-presenter alongside Bruce Forsyth in the latest series of "Strictly Come Dancing" on BBC 1 networked television.

Now, I for one, do not like my news presenters (on whom I rely to bring me the world's events) to do so, when they have spent the previous hours on my screen dabbling in slapstick entertainment (no offence intended to highly talented and magnificent professional dancers all over the world), dressed in attire that is not quite reminiscent of a serious news broadcaster.........................................................................................

Is this a very clear and obvious public endorsement by BBC News Chiefs that they do not consider UK Network output to be as important as their global output on BBCW, by allowing their frontline presenters to appear to trivialise their jobs and themselves by appearing in sequins?

Or, is it more due to the fact that Zeinab and Lyse and others would never dream of doing this sort of thing in the first place, because they are serious broadcast journalists and feel that they are there to uphold everything that the BBC "allegedly" stands for?

It really does puzzle me when we have Natashas, Kates and Fionas all trying to be the next Davinas, Cillas and Cat Deeley's!...........................................




I agree with you that her appearing on a variety show does undermine any credibility that she had. It was her choice alone to do this though and if shes happy to be a dance show hostess then thats her decision.

Perhaps the BBC and her believe she can lead this double life and be a newsreader in the morning and hit the dance floor at the weekends without any problem to the viewer.

Given her reticence to be in it originally and the ensuing 'personal' controversy around her during and after the series, I can only assume she is doing this for the love of money and celebrity rather than some duty to BBC light entertainment.
TV
TVAND
I quite disagree with Mr. BBC world or whatever his name may be. I think one of the most important qualities most journalists should have is versatility; I just can’t imagine most journalists being serious and unfriendly all the time; they need to be searching new contacts and new stories of course. If he wants to see "his" news presenters just presenting the news, I think he needs to search for another news corporation then! ..lol!

By the way, Newsroom, we are in 2004!!what’s wrong with your calendar boy! LOL!!!!
Laughing
BR
Brekkie
Mark Austin hosted Survivor in 2001, before he became the main Evening News presenter.

Mary Nightingale also hosted Wish you Were Here?, while Kirsty Young has hosted numerous shows for five and ITV, including The People Versus and Rat Trap.

As for Natasha Kaplinsky - don't really see the problem - any credibility damage was done when she was a contestant.
NR
News room
Bogaboy19 posted:
I quite disagree with Mr. BBC world or whatever his name may be. I think one of the most important qualities most journalists should have is versatility; I just can’t imagine most journalists being serious and unfriendly all the time; they need to be searching new contacts and new stories of course. If he wants to see "his" news presenters just presenting the news, I think he needs to search for another news corporation then! ..lol!

By the way, Newsroom, we are in 2004!!what’s wrong with your calendar boy! LOL!!!!
Laughing


HAHA - We all make mistakes, mine was a right bloomer!
CS
Cerulean Sunrise
Dermot Murnaghan - Eggheads
Fiona Bruce - Crimewatch
Angela Rippon - Matchpoint IIRC
Michael Buerk - 999 (don't forget that!)
Rob off Five News - some bizarre word game

it's not a new phenomenon is it?
JW
JamesWorldNews
Just to clarify, I am not only having a go at Natasha, but rather using her current situation as a prime example.

I don't agree with News Broadcasters presenting variety shows, no matter where their roots lie, whether its BBC, ITN, Sky or wherever.

So unless its a real charity scenario, my same personal comments apply to Dermot, Rippon, Nightingale, Austin, McDonald and whomever,

On reflection (and this is not a back track), presenting current affairs and similar programmes would be acceptable. However, variety and entertainment should, personally, to be ruled out!

Sorry if I've appeared to rant. I seem to have upset some of you, but it was not intended. It's just something that I feel the BBC are guilty of double standards with.
BR
Brekkie
Don't forget one of our most respected newsreaders - Jeremy Paxman, hosting University Challenge. Jon Snow and Krishan Guru Murphy have also done Number 1 and the E-Millionaire Show for C4.

And as for the example of BBC Worlds Zeinab Badawi and Lyse Doucet - who?
CS
Cerulean Sunrise
Isn't it Krishnan Guru-Mu rth y?
TE
TELEVISION
Cerulean Sunrise posted:
Isn't it Krishnan Guru-Mu rth y?


Yes

I don't suppose he is related to Geeta Guru-Murthy is he ?

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