Post-graduate Journalism student, Sandra Juncu, from Edinburgh Napier University scours today’s papers for tales about the media…
The much debated planned relocation of BBC’s Question Time – from London to Glasgow – is yet again in the news. As reported extensively by the media over these last two weeks, plans to transfer production from London to Glasgow have met with opposition, with the programme's editor choosing to resign rather than move and presenter, David Dimbleby, supposedly refusing to move to Scotland.
Columnist, Richard Littlejohn (Scottish Daily Mail, page 17), offers a possible solution: scrap the show altogether. In his opinion, the show is not relevant anymore comparing it to “a carthorse in a cyber-space world” that “should be put out of its misery”.
Also on the BBC, The Daily Record (page 6) and the Scottish Daily Mail (page 21) report on complaints regarding the network’s cooking show, MasterChef. According to the two newspapers, loyal fans are accusing the programme of ‘chasing ratings’ and having an X Factor-style new format. One of the viewers is quoted by the Mail expressing his disappointment, saying: “I expected Cheryl Cole to come on.” It is understood the BBC has received 40 formal complaints about the show.
Elsewhere, Westminster Foreign Secretary, William Hague, is reported acknowledging the BBC’s reporting role during the recent democracy protests in the Middle East (The Scotsman, page 13). The politician is reported saying the BBC should develop its satellite television services in the region as it, together with social networking sites, has influenced the spread of protests.
And finally, pop star, Peter Andre, is apparently to front a new ITV2 show, ‘Here to Help’, during which he will aid people with various 'problems'. The Australian is quoted saying that he wants to pay back the Brits for their support during his divorce from Katie Price: “The great British public are phenomenal. I have seen first-hand their supportive messages. Now it’s time to give something back.” (The Scottish Sun TV supplement, page 4).
