UK Press

  • The Observer should back its own journalism first

    The Observer has sided with the Prime Minister in a no-contest race. Noble of it. I’m sure he doesn’t need the support. He might have appreciated the answers to a blip with Mandelson. This would have improved his leadership standing in a lot more ways.

    This is a classic example of socialism masquerading as social Journalism. It takes the electoral cycle as its only impetus, and brings fresh faces to bear on a tired incumbent. It assumes Starmer can’t know anymore because of years in the job, and junior positions must be easier.

    It’s a hash, not an opinion, and cloaked in our terms and frequent frames of reference. People write like this to turn us red, not keep us black. They like it their way. This isn’t the writing that we need in national titles for public consumption. It’s more depth, not less scrutiny, that helps in these matters.

  • The controversies of London

    London is a big city, with big voices and personalities. It’s guided by its most ardent supporters – and vocal critics. In recent years, the Mayor of London has emerged as a chief defender of our capital.

    However, on a backdrop of soaring investment, and signs of a rapidly expanding base of global brands and iconic innovations, its journalistic output is sketchy.

    It offers a patchwork, spread between some new but many existing news brands. We know about the buyouts, the moves, and even new hires, but what about the quality?

    Is this what’s lacking? I imagine – as do most of us – that a Mayor would agree our writers at the top of publications, outlets, and news studios could do better.

    The trials and travails of the Mayor’s we’ve had are now lore. They’ve tried to boost investment, fight crime, and give a positive image of the city, only to be beaten back by the media.

    London is a proud city, and hopeful about its future. It’s a shame that morning after morning, and now all day, it’s talked down to the ground.

  • Journalism in focus: Assange’s trial

    The case of Julian Assange that passed out of the UK’s legal system earlier this year in June is a textbook instance of Government mishandling and a lack of journalistic integrity here.

    In some ways all of us have something to regret. In looking at the ordeal Assange went through, from his refuge in an embassy to his arrest and imprisonment in London, we have to reflect.

    His release is beside the point. A lack of pace and appropriate working habits is clear. Our way of progress is stagnant and we are impoverished of talent. It’s only fortunate it no longer needs to be proved.