Newsreading Easy - Wogan

Broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan has taken aim at "self-important" newsreaders, who he says have "the easiest job in the media".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8235462.stm

I don't work in the media, but I've always thought this to be true, particularly the 25 minute bulletins. They don't even write the scripts.

It's quite difficult to pick holes in what Sir Terry says, particularly given that he has been there and done it, albeit in the days before all newsreaders had to be qualified journalists and had input into the scripts.

Jon Snow has responded in his usual style this afternoon in his blog ...

So Terry Wogan considers newscasters as ’self important’ and the job a “piece of cake“.

He’s quite right..or nearly right. It’s a piece of cake so long as you can absent yourself from any involvement in generating the material that you are reading. The moment you combine newsreading with actual journalism, going after stories, trying to find out stuff, and the rest, it becomes much harder.

more ...
snowblog

Does anybody else think that the "unnamed journalist" he has a dig at is Phil Hayton? He's the only public example of a difficult working relationship (with Kate Silverton) I can think of off the top of my head.

almost certainly.

Like you say, who else?

Pardon?
All Presenters on BBC One Bullies do just that.
The Producer puts a few thoughts in each cue - to tee up the story and explain what's said in the package - and the presenters write all Intro's, Headlines and Promos.
In actual fact the presenters spend a lot of time and thought on all of these, and it's a fine art to get the message and story across in a tight, snappy and engaging way. Add to that the editorial discussions with the Programme Editor, SDE (Senior Duty Editor), and Six/Ten Editor you have a pretty demanding process. The only reason that 2 way questions are tightly discussed and thought through is the fact that usually you only have 1'30 for a 2 way and you may want to expand on certain editorial matters that arose from the package or further thoughts to help tell the story.
Its not just a matter of sitting in front of the camera and reading the words!

Maybe back in the stone age (well, maybe a bit after that ) when Wogan did it newsreaders were just that, readers, but maybe not now.

I was always under the impression they wrote their own scripts too. Maybe before everyone has a go at newsreaders they should watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOR7L90SQwI

Sky's report mentions that the unnamed journalist is thought to have had issues with his co-presenter's involvement in non-news programmes, which would fit the bill.

Absolutely agree. And live telly is a lot more fraught with problems than people seem to think. I've sat in the gallery for several live news programmes over the past few years (BBC Six, N24, World, ITV Lunch/Evening, C4 Noon) and I've always been totally in awe of what these people do. It is so far removed from turning up and reading it's untrue. The way they deal with everything that's going on in their ears whilst making it seem as though everything is as calm as can be on air is remarkable.

I take your point..but I still think it's a handy enough job. Many of the presenters only work 4 days a week.

The presenter has no input in what stories are covered surely.