Newsreaders who can't read news

She is a highly educated journalist who is, as Asian Cutie said above, pronouncing things in the way that the natives of the place would say it.

So, what's wrong with that?? Should all BBC Newsreaders speak as though they were from Hull or Morecambe? If they did, the global audience wouldn't have a clue what's being said.

If you all recall correctly, Jan Leeming and Moira Stuart also pronounce place names with exactly the right sound and emphasis. Leeming was particularly good at it.

We Brits expect everything to be homely and simple. It's a nonsense approach. Like the proverbial "I am not going on holiday abroad, There is no John Smith beer or Heinz Beans there........"

Remember the BBC is broadcasting to a global audience and if the news was read in regional slang, how would your average Watchara Mingmitwan in Thailand comprehend it?

The key word is 'gravitas' as far as I'm concerned, which Moira Stewart and Alistair Yates both possess in spades. Yates is particularly good as he manages to do this yet still retain a laid-back air (he reminds me a little of the late Leonard Parkin's style).

On the other hand, I cannot stand Huw Edwards, who seems to be bumbling through the bulletin making everything up as he goes along and ignoring the script completely. Bring back Richard Baker!

To be quite honest I'm suprised no one's mention Katie Derham of ITV.
Dresses like she's just got of a motorbike - leather jacket - and really anoyingly, nods and shakes her head with serious expressions when her co-presenter reads his autocue. Where's her impartiality?

Probably because Katie is an excellent news reader; no quirky pronunciations and she actually follows what is being read (even if that does lead to the odd nod or shake of her head).
I also love the fact that she has personality and that her choice of clothes extends beyond the sombre trouser suit. (Fiona Bruce was wearing a leather jacket the other day so I guess it's official news reading attire ).

I think Katie Derham is great! Definitely one of the better female news presenters on ITV News. As you said, at least she pronounces words properly.

On the subject of Mishal Husain, I understand James' point but she also does these pronunciations on the BBC ONE News, which is only broadcasting to the UK. Also, I'm sure in France the news presenters say Londres instead of London. Surely that is wrong, then? They should be pronouncing it the way we do...?

True, Rob. (London/Londres example).

No nonsense newsreading can also be found with Lindsey Brancher and, I guess the overall Queen of no-nonsense was Anita the Ice-maiden.

Oh, I do so wish she would return to BBC World, Rob. Where is she now anyway?

Yes, I agree that Lindsey Brancher is very good. She's definitely under-used on BBC WORLD, despite being the channel's longest-serving newsreader.

As for Anita, I haven't seen her in a while. The last time I saw her, she was doing some reporting for CNN but I haven't seen her do that for quite some time now. Anita was also a very capable anchor on BBC WORLD.

I agree.

I pronounce "Carribbean" in what many people in this country would call "the American pronunciation", my reason being that - as I understand it (correct me if I'm wrong) - that's how people from the actual carribbean pronounce it!

So, I think that Mishal's pronunciation of Asian country names is perfectly sensible!

When "BBC LDN" was first launched, I was amused by Emily Maitlis (sp?) surname.

It sounds like "mate-less" (i.e. she's got no friends!)

right on!!

Yes, we... erm.... remember.... his handling of.... the Queen Mum's death - and the fact that.... he wasn't wearing..... a tack bly.... erm.... I mean a black tie.

I can imagine!

Glasgow: "Howzitgaunman, how'd ye like some noos?"
Outer Hebrides: "Och aye the noo, here's the news."
Edinburgh: "Here is the news. You'll have had your tea." (read in a plummy Morningside accent)
Newcastle: "Why-aye, it's the news like, man!"
Manchester: "Ey-oop, it's newstime..."
Yorkshire: "It's time for the news, to our first story....ee-ba-goom, this is a cracker, thissun...."
Liverpool: "We've gorra lorra lorra news for yew tonight...."

and so on.....