The media is quite good at challenging everyone else in society. It is less wonderful at being modest about its own contribution to debate. Every week the media demonstrates how noisy it can be, and how wonderful and awful by turns. We aim to keep a useful eye on this intriguing beast.
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Why we posted this: People have forgotten how badly they need to be governed by an elite. The exposure of MP’s allowances in the Daily Telegraph shows just how far we have gone in misunderstanding the problem of public service. The paper of the professions has descended into tabloid destructiveness. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Politics / Society / Truth & Trust. Posted by Richard D North on May 9th, 2009
Why we posted this: Politics and politicians in the UK are mostly decent and public-spirited. So it profoundly matters that journalists should tell us more of what they know about the skullduggery at the heart of Westminster. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Truth & Trust. Posted by Richard D North on April 18th, 2009
Why we posted this: It’s becoming quite common to declare that free market capitalism is dead, long live state interference. Even some Financial Times gurus are taken with this line, and it is useful to wonder if they are right. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Money. Posted by Richard D North on March 10th, 2009
Why we posted this: It’s official: the Israeli military did not – as widely reported at the time – shell a United Nations school in Gaza, killing 43 in its grounds. Time for an apology by the reporters? More »
Themes: Campaigning / Green / Interrogating the Media / Media / Politics. Posted by Richard D North on February 4th, 2009
Why we posted this: Many people failed in the run-up to the current credit crunch and recession. Should journalists share some of the blame? Aren’t they supposed to know what’s going on and tell the rest of us? More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Money. Posted by Richard D North on December 13th, 2008
Why we posted this: The BBC has no idea how to be a respectable broadcaster, and not much desire either. How could it? Its biggest fear is that it won’t hit its numbers. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Society. Posted by Richard D North on December 13th, 2008
Why we posted this: What’s the right response to the financial crisis? Are commentors and politicians speaking their minds or are some spouting conveniently compassionate guff? More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Money / Politics / Rights. Posted by Richard D North on November 25th, 2008
Why we posted this: The media has mostly accepted as reasonable the idea common amongst blacks that until Obama it wasn’t worth voting. This is worth challenging. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Politics / Rights / Truth & Trust. Posted by Richard D North on November 5th, 2008
Why we posted this: The BBC has no idea how to be a respectable broadcaster, and not much desire either. How could it? Its biggest fear is that it won’t hit its numbers. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Society. Posted by Richard D North on October 29th, 2008
Why we posted this: The web – especially in Web 2.0 mode – spreads dangerous nonsense. Sure, but we should hold our nerve and redress the balance. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Money / Society / The Good Corporation / Truth & Trust. Posted by Paul Seaman on September 17th, 2008