Robert Capa’s Falling soldier - does the evidence stack up?

[Traveller's tip: Don't miss: This is war! at the Barbican till 25 January 2009] I was fortunate enough to enjoy a ‘private viewing’ of the Robert Capa and Gerda Taro exhibition at the Barbican this week. Helen and I got doused by a storm walking from Moorgate, but once we were inside, the magic of the [...]

Controversy good for the Brand brand?

A perfect media storm has been building in London all week. The row over Russell Brand and Jonathon Ross’ stupid phone prank has claimed a number of BBC scalps already and more could follow. But, it seems that Brand’s brand could benefit from the fuss. [Non-UK mediaphiles click here for some background on this story] Interviewed in [...]

Ethical Martini live on Twitter

You can follow me now on Twitter, I’ve turned on the RSS feed. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, but as a digital immigrant, I’m sometimes a bit slow. Thanks to AM for this tip.       

The beginning of the end of the ABC?

I’ve just seen this item from The Australian’s media pages about the possible sacking of ABC programme maker Stephen Crittenden. Stephen’s treatment by the aging Aunty seems to be a bit harsh, even though as The Australian points out, he technically broke the rules. [Off air after outburst] Apparently Stephen lost his rag over planned changes [...]

Something to look forward to - Robert Capa photographs

Next week, my cousin Helen is taking me to see the exhibition of Robert Capa and Gerda Taro photographs that recently opened at the Barbican. Capa and Taro are two important figures in 20th century war journalism. Taro was German and I must admit I know nothing about her beyond what I’ve read on the Barbican [...]

(Not quite) The end of journalism

Over the past weekend I was at a conference hosted by the University of Bedfordshire in Luton. The conference, of mainly journalism academics, was provocatively titled ‘The end of journalism?’ It turns out that the conference organisers were having a bit of fun with us. Like all good journos (and former journos), they could not resist [...]

A nice day in London

I went for a walk along what seems to be the busiest mile of footpath in London this weekend. It’s a stretch of path and parkland on the south bank of the Thames that goes from Southwark bridge past the Tate Modern, the Globe, National and BFI theatres and lots of cafes and bars. The weather [...]

Dominion Post cleared of contempt - the right decision?

An interesting decision this week in the New Zealand High Court. Contempt of court charges against Fairfax Media and Dominion Post editor, Tim Pankhurst, were dismissed. Earlier this year the Dom Post published extensive details of a police affidavit alleging weapons offences and related charges against a group of people who were arrested after a [...]

The end of journalism?

Next weekend [17-18 October] I’m speaking at a conference in Luton with the dread-inducing title, The end of journalism? The question mark is probably the most encouraging symbol here. It signifies that it might no be the end. The conference has been organised by journalism and media studies academics at the University of Bedfordshire and I [...]

Respec’, Karl, Paul and the Iraqi Communists

Post-it Note: I’ve been having a bit of difficulty accessing wordpress for the past week or so, but finally found an empty draft that I could canibalise. A couple of weekends ago I visited Highate cemetery, near Hampstead Heath in north London. There’s a five pound entry fee, but the grounds themselves are worth the price [...]