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Gather round, it's story time for everyone who hates reporters & journalists (a distinction few with Very Strong Opinions on the 'news' profession seem to grasp).
I was a regional telly researcher in the early 90s, regularly sent out to doorstep Arthur Scargill. It was a game. https://twitter.com/BenJolly9/status/1283873331939246080
I was a regional telly researcher in the early 90s, regularly sent out to doorstep Arthur Scargill. It was a game. https://twitter.com/BenJolly9/status/1283873331939246080
Scargill was a hate figure for anyone to the right of, say, Tony Benn.
Like Corbyn, he was awful at handling the media.
I liked him. As a bloke. He did my head in as a communicator.
The relationship between the media & Scargill was a game. A sort of Pantomime.
Like Corbyn, he was awful at handling the media.
I liked him. As a bloke. He did my head in as a communicator.
The relationship between the media & Scargill was a game. A sort of Pantomime.
Like Corbyn, Scargill was outrageously smeared by an unscrupulous establishment (& subsequently cleared of the worst smear).
But this story is about the relationship between Scargill & the media. Or, as I came to see it, the game. The Panto.
But this story is about the relationship between Scargill & the media. Or, as I came to see it, the game. The Panto.
Those of us journalists based in Sheffield, who met Scargill often, always gave him fair coverage. Sometimes he did a Corbo & refused to engage, but we had ok relationships with him. He knew we were ordinary folk, doing local work.
I was based at a radio station, for local BBC telly, so I saw him often when he came in for interviews.
Bonus fun fact. Scargill is a really funny bloke, especially as an impersonator.
I came to see his media persona as 100% character acting. The Very Dangerous Radical.
Bonus fun fact. Scargill is a really funny bloke, especially as an impersonator.
I came to see his media persona as 100% character acting. The Very Dangerous Radical.
But there was a very different relationship with network news, to whom we often supplied footage & interviews.
Because telly news relies on pictures I'd often be sent, with a camera crew, to get some.
Even if there was no content to be had.
Because telly news relies on pictures I'd often be sent, with a camera crew, to get some.
Even if there was no content to be had.
So I'd ring his assistant, Nell Myers, to request an interview. And if she refused, our masters in London would insist that we doorstep him.
I've wasted many an afternoon hanging around with a crew, outside NUM HQ, just to get a shot of Scargill's car arriving or departing.
I've wasted many an afternoon hanging around with a crew, outside NUM HQ, just to get a shot of Scargill's car arriving or departing.
It was fucking ludicrous. But we had to do it.
One time I couldn't get hold of Nell, so I went down to NUM HQ & spent 20 minutes searching the (mostly unoccupied) building until I found Arthur's office. I knocked, went in & he just smiled & said 'no'.
It was a total game.
One time I couldn't get hold of Nell, so I went down to NUM HQ & spent 20 minutes searching the (mostly unoccupied) building until I found Arthur's office. I knocked, went in & he just smiled & said 'no'.
It was a total game.
One time I rebelled, because it was immoral. Network news demanded an interview & I knew he wasn't at work & wasn't going to talk.
I told them.
They ordered me to doorstep him at home.
I went, with a crew. I didn't knock. We claimed the mileage & went home.
Sorry, lads.
I told them.
They ordered me to doorstep him at home.
I went, with a crew. I didn't knock. We claimed the mileage & went home.
Sorry, lads.
Like Corbyn, Scargill hated the national media for good reason.
Like Corbyn, Scargill was a sort of entertainment.
This is why they doorstep Corbyn today.
It's not for your edification. It's to fill black screen space because telly news is about pictures. It's entertainment.
Like Corbyn, Scargill was a sort of entertainment.
This is why they doorstep Corbyn today.
It's not for your edification. It's to fill black screen space because telly news is about pictures. It's entertainment.
Also, there's a world of difference between journalists & reporters serving a local community & the 'big names' serving a national audience.
So, friends on the left, stop the fuck celebrating local journalists losing their jobs.
So, friends on the left, stop the fuck celebrating local journalists losing their jobs.
Now support great local journalism. Start by following @JayMitchinson & @LiamThorpECHO
It's where the good work is done. The work I have seen too many on the left celebrate the demise of.
It's where the good work is done. The work I have seen too many on the left celebrate the demise of.
