Sky News: Presenters & Rotas

Thanks! Even got my first troll the other night... standard.

Apart from five of us on here that is!

I believe the phrase is: "Oh no, you di'int!"

Kay Burley is being investigated by Ofcom over her interview with Nick Varney, Merlin Entertainment chief executive, following over 1,000 complaints.

I didn't think it was a particularly good or insightful interview. However in my view there was nothing untoward or particularly distasteful about the interview and I'm sure Ofcom will find in Kay's favour.

If only Ofcom would investigate certain local tv channels not meeting their commitments instead of investigating a presenter who may have got a little too personal, but was still doing their job correctly.

She does seem to be a bit rude in that interview.

I don't know how she gets away with it.

It seems like this latest wave of Kay bashing has somehow turned the tide and she's now suddenly being praised by media and colleagues as female Paxman. Go Kay!

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/kay-burley-is-an-inspirational-woman-and-calls-for-her-to-be-sacked-are-just-plain-sexist-10319090.html

There is no comparison between Jeremy Paxman grilling Ed Miliband over policy pledges during the Election Debate and Kay Burley interviewing the Merlin CEO after the Alton Towers accident. They were two different interviews about two completely different topics and conducted with different approaches. In fact I think Kay's performance in the Sky News audience debate was fantastic.

However, the interview involving the Alton Towers boss came shortly after the accident when friends and family were still coming to terms with what happened. She was also asking for Nick Varney to comment on speculation (at the time) that one person had lost a limb. Although subsequently that did turn out to be true - at the time of interview it wasn't fact and the guy, quite rightly said it wouldn't be appropriate to comment. A slightly more respectful and dignified approach from Burley, at least towards that response was all that was needed.

In the past, when a Sky News presenter has ''caused outrage" or done something a bit silly (Colin Brazier bag-gate) they've swiftly apologised or the presenter has issued a statement to that effect.

However you view the interview, good or bad, aggressive or passive - I feel this story has in some ways overshadowed the victims of the accident (at least in the papers) and the press giving promotion to the petition is not helping anyone.

John Sparks - most recently Channel 4 News' Asia Correspondent - is joining Sky News as Moscow Correspondent, replacing Katie Stallard, who's going to the Beijing bureau.

Looks like they're giving Harriet Hadfield a test run at presenting as she presented the midnight bulletin with Lukwesa returning at 0100.