There's a very good piece in the Media Guardian today on Michael Crick, the newly appointed political editor of Newsnight. It's ironic given recent events that a lot of it is based around comments made about him on blogs. In the article Crick admits he was wrong to refer the Betsygate issue to the Parliamentary Standards commissioner.The appointment of Michael Crick - TV journalism's foremost political sleuth-cum-anorak - as Newsnight's new political editor sent many a Tory-leaning blogger and their fans into a frenzy of keyboard-pecking. "How ridiculous!" fulminated Anthoninus on Guido Fawkes' popular politics blog. "I'd switch off my TV if the dumpy little fellow didn't look and act so silly! I think Newsnight needs some sort of disclaimer - 'news for Lefties'." Meanwhile, posting on former Tory candidate Iain Dale's influential blog, Matt Davis seethed: "Crick is a blatantly biased Tory-hater who will undoubtedly misuse his publically [sic] funded job to promote his own political views." And even BBC News' own Editors' Blog was not spared. "I'm sorry, but from watching and listening to Mr Crick's previous output," wrote disgruntled Bernie, "it is clear that he is as pro-Labour as it is possible to get."
So why is Crick - in the delicate words of yet another blogger, an
"anti-Conservative scum bag" - singled out for far more than his fair share of
opprobrium? Well, according to Dale himself, it is because many of the subjects
of his investigations and books are drawn from the top tiers of the Conservative
party. "He's seen by many Tories as a sort of enemy of the people. That is
the perception. Over the years, he has relentlessly pursued Conservative
politicians. During the last general election, Michael seemed to delight in
following Michael Howard around and causing mischief. I remember an event in
Norwich, where my main role was to keep Michael Crick off Michael Howard's back.
But I don't actually think myself that he has a leftwing agenda. He is simply a
professional troublemaker."
While there must be few sights more disheartening for a dodgy politician -
or as entertaining to viewers - than to see Crick careering towards them
clutching a microphone, such routines will be largely a thing of the past in his
new Newsnight job. As political editor there will be far less on-camera
"theatre" and offbeat commentary, and considerably more general reporting on -
and cool-headed analysis of - the big political story of the day. Crick, the
slightly geeky anti-establishment figure who describes immersing himself in
archive footage as "heaven", will now be expected to play the part of
Westminster insider. And what's more, says Iain Dale, his Tory critics will be
ready to pounce at the first hint of bias. "Michael is a very good story-chaser
and story-creator," he says. "But the role of a political editor is to report
and interpret events. The interpretation is the most difficult part because you
can always lay yourself open to accusations of bias. A lot of people will be
watching with eagle eyes."
I totally agree that the Political Editor of Newsnight must be impartial, but would so many Tories have complained if he had a record of Labour scalps. Plus you couldn't say that his pursuit of Jeffrey Archer wasn't in the public service!
ReplyDeleteAnyone criticising Michael Crick has never seen his fantastic demolition job of Jeffrey Archer which is still available on the BBC website. Flippin' tremendous, complete with interviews with prostitutes. Ace.
ReplyDeleteAnd let us not forget that he did some great work to bring the Smith Institute to a wider audience. Who needs the toe-curling Louis Theroux, when you have got Michael Crick ??
p.s. If Tories don't like getting harangued by him, then the message is the same as for Labour MPs, they just have to stop being so sleazy.
Hmmm getting quoted in 'The Guardian' - feeling rather ambivalent about that. Crick is worth a laugh really but I prefer Martha Kearney as she had real class - no real hatchet jobs from her!
ReplyDeleteCheer up: his appointment is proof positive that the Beeb expects a Tory government soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Conservatives dislike Crick because of Betsygate or Archer or whatever. I dislike him because he's a sanctimonious horror.
ReplyDeleteThe other journo's story you should look at is why, after marching Mr Brown to the top of the hill with his transcending dental medication story, is Mr Murdoch now marching him down again by laying the pension crisis firmly at the dour narcisist's feet.
ReplyDeleteCrick does some good work which sadly gets drowned in a sea of biased non stories.
ReplyDeleteIt's what comes of putting politics over quality.
Crick is one of the few journos of today who can actually be bothered to get off his arse and go and investigate people. He also happens to be quite brilliant. You surely aren't sore because of the Archer case are you Dale? What a perfect tosser that man is and how marvellous Crick was in demolishing him. And oh dear - he was a top tory. Makes you wonder if there are more.
ReplyDeleteIn his interview Crick does indicate why it took him so long to get the Blair college photograph revealed (boater, perm, hand gesture).
ReplyDeleteIt seems that he'd seen the pic in all its glory some years ago, but couldn't persuade the owner to let it be filmed. It's only when the row blew up over the Cameron Bullingdon pic that he could go back to the owner and make a case for the, erm, full-frontal edition to be filmed for Newsnight.
During the same piece, he uncovered a frankly disturbing pic of a young John Reid, with hair. Anyone have a copy?
UPDATE: Read a fantastic interview with Martha Kearney HERE. She takes over as main presenter of The World at One today
ReplyDelete16th actually. I can't wait. The only time her predecessor sounded happy was announcing a drop in the stock market.