Something happened on Radio 4′s Today programme which could mark a change in political interviews from now on. The emperor’s clothes suddenly disappeared. When John Humphries in exasperation asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne for a straight answer to a straight question, the answer he got was the usual political fudge. But this time, everybody – Humphries, Byrne, and the audience, saw it for what it was – a refusal to tell the electorate what its Government was doing. It would have been a normal, if unsatisfactory exchange a year ago. But in June 2009 it has become totally unacceptable. Later that day on Radio 4, Media Mentor’s Paul Murricane was interviewed on the PM programme. Presenter Eddie Mair wanted to know if companies like Media Mentor could train politicians to be honest. The answer Paul gave was crystal clear: the old ways of avoiding the question are dead and gone. Being honest is essential – but it may take some politicians quite a while to get used to it.
Posted in Latest Media Training News | 1 Comment »
January 31st, 2010 at 8:47 am
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