MediaGuardian briefing

Media briefing Thursday 15 Jan 2015 g
Top stories on MediaGuardian More »
France clamours for Charlie Hebdo as news kiosks sell out Seven days after massacre of staff at the satirical weekly, millions queue to snap up copy of special ‘survivors’ edition  Al-Jazeera may make alternative leaders' debate bid embracing Green party The Qatari-broadcaster’s English news channel considering televised event featuring five UK party leaders  Rupert Murdoch tries to clarify Charlie Hebdo attack comments Murdoch rebuked after claiming Muslims must be held accountable until they ‘destroy their growing jihadist cancer’  BBC accused of ‘spying’ after nearly 150 staff emails accessed or monitored Freedom of Information request reveals 37 accounts over two-year period were looked into by corporation because of leak investigations  Charlie Hebdo poster burned in protest as Muslim leaders condemn cover Protest in the Philippines and Turkish website ban come as Muslims accused magazine of reckless provocation  Human rights lawyer in Tajikistan jailed for nine years He regularly defended the country’s independent news agency in defamation actions  BBC director general prepares staff to face 'bullying' in run-up to charter renewal In address to staff, Tony Hall says corporation will ‘never confuse justifiable complaints with naked bullying’ as it enters ‘high risk’ general election year that will define its future  Whisper editor-in-chief Neetzan Zimmerman leaves company, report says Zimmerman, once ‘most popular blogger working on the web’ turned secret-sharing app editor, ends Twitter silence  ‘Freedom of expression’ anti-snooping campaign launched over Ripa changes Campaigners fear draft code of Ripa legislation in UK will allow police sweeping powers to access phone and email records of journalists, lawyers and doctors  Darcey Bussell to front BBC’s search for UK’s best young dancer BBC is devoting year of programming to music and dance including how to make a pop song and ballet documentaries
Today's newspaper headlines More »
Today's media stories from the papers Our roundup of the day's media stories, including Charlie Hebdo's new edition 'made with joy as well as pain' and editors demand action as snooping fears escalate
Media Monkey's pick of the day More »
Broadchurch courts disaster, say lawyers | Media Monkey All is not well on the good ship Broadchurch it would seem. Aside from shedding 1.5 million viewers from the opening episode of the second series, the ITV drama is now getting a cross examination from the legal profession. The Times reports that lawyers have taken to Twitter to raise objections about things such as improbable gaps between not guilty pleas and trials starting (should be months, not weeks, they reckon), free parking outside courts and unrealistic courtroom scenes where legal arguments take place in front of the jury and whatnot. A QC tweeted: “Broadchurch ruined for me by totally unrealistic courtroom scenes. Very annoying for lawyers watching such twaddle.” Another questioned the demographics, saying it was unlikely there would be two female barristers as well as a female judge. Sad, but probably true. ITV, however, is pleading not guilty. A spokeswoman said: “The scripts for Broadchurch are thoroughly researched and we take legal advice. However, as happens with television drama, creative decisions are taken to heighten the dramatic effect.” The defence rests, M’lud.