MediaGuardian briefing

Media briefing Thursday 19 Feb 2015 g Top stories on MediaGuardian More » Peter Oborne: what I have seen is unprecedented in a quality newspaper The political commentator talks about the response to his attack on the Daily Telegraph, his hopes for the future of the paper – and why the distinction between deer hunting and deer stalking matters  Telegraph took down story on HSBC accounts 'black hole', says Peter Oborne Former chief political commentator says in resignation letter he learned Harry Wilson’s article was swiftly removed ‘even though there were no legal problems’  BBC coverage of raid on Cliff Richard's home does not win RTS award Royal Television Society awards Scoop of the Year prize to BBC Northern Ireland for Spotlight – A Woman Alone With The IRA  NME staff told talks have been held on going free Discussions on magazine’s future form part of wider review of Time Inc UK, also home to Marie Claire and Country Life  Washington Post journalist held in Iran denied access to lawyer, says brother The new lawyer for Jason Rezaian has not been allowed to drop off the necessary paperwork to formally represent him despite several attempts  John Oliver won't replace Jon Stewart as he renews HBO contract British-born comedian had been tipped to take over Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, but signs deal to stay at rival until 2017  Sun reporter claims Rebekah Brooks gave him tips before criminal trial John Troup says he was contacted by ex-Sun chief while he was facing trial over an email linked with a payment request for a prison officer  EastEnders: who/you confusion adds to drama during live segment First of BBC1 soap’s special 30th anniversary live editions adds 1.5 million viewers to a near-40% audience share as suspected firework sparks blaze on set  Most stories sold to News of the World by ex-soldier ‘just tittle tattle’, court told Ryan Sabey’s counsel tells jurors five articles written by defendant came from former Lance Corporal Paul Brunt, with other stories just ‘rubbish tittle tattle’  UK's digital advertising spend set to outstrip all other forms Industry researchers predict more than half of marketing cash will be spent digitally as tablets, smartphones and digital media dominate Britain’s shopping habits  Today's newspaper headlines More » Today's media stories from the papers Our roundup of the day's media stories, including the latest on the fallout from Peter Oborne's resignation from the Telegraph  Media Monkey's pick of the day More » Is this the worst drop intro ever written? Journalism students worldwide are taught about the importance of balancing light and shade in their work – to strive for that “light touch” that news editors crave to cut through page after page of death and misery. The “drop intro” is the keystone of the art; a signal to the reader that nothing so important has happened that you can’t wait until the second, third (or sometimes even lower) paragraph to be told. And by jove we can have a jolly good time together while we get there. (Just like we’re having here, Monkey hopes.) So with it being Valentine’s season, you can see what the top of this otherwise bread-and-butter Washington Post crime report was trying to achieve. The lede on this @washingtonpost story is a crime against journalism pic.twitter.com/CnTHHf4Lmp— Toby Harnden (@tobyharnden) February 16, 2015 But on a crime story – really? And underneath a dead-straight headline – really? Monkey is loth to ridicule the bylined writers, as sometimes it can be a well-meaning subeditor or news editor who attempts to inject a bit of sunshine high up a story. But their faces should be as red as that fire truck. Have you seen a worse intro than that? [Monkey grabs tin hat and prepares for someone to throw some of his own bad writing in his face]

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