I just watched that famous report by Michael Buerk on Ethiopia from 1984. Sombre, serious and presenting the human tragedy unfolding, it was an unforgettable and amazing piece of journalism which galvanised the world into acts of great generosity and human compassion. /1

And there have been many other historical moments since that our tv news channels have guided us through with equal humanity and total integrity. /2

I find it so desperately sad that some journalists from the BBC and other news channels seem to have forgotten how to present these stories to us with humanity, showing us the way to demonstrate and express our own humanity. /3

Instead they ignore the individuality of the protagonists in a story of desperation and lump them into a faceless problem to be solved. They aren’t telling a story, they are dumbing it down into just another so-called reality tv show where reality is skewed and twisted! /4

Instead like good little boys they follow the agenda of the haters who are ranting about invaders in small boats and indulge the darkest and unkindest and most judgemental sides of human nature. The saddest part is that I don’t think they believe that’s what they are doing. /5

But I ask you all this, will anybody look at the news reports from these last few days on YouTube in 30 years time and find anything to admire about the journalism?

Sorry but I don’t think so. /end