DIY Journalism

Just a quick blog to fill in time as I wait for IRN news to call and a BBC Breakfast film crew to arrive at our house.

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Cuts in budget are really getting ridiculous.

I just had a lone cameraman turn up- with no reporter.

He set up and lit the "interview", then the producer called me on a mobile from the studio and H had to sit in for eye-line and ask the questions, parrot-fashion, after he relayed them remotely.

This isn't some student channel attached to a Uni, this is the BBC.

What's happened to the NUJ?

I can honestly say that I am shocked that this is being allowed to happen.

As an old-hand at interviews I could make this situation work, kind-of, by directing H and keeping an eye on Huw (the cameraman).

But I pity some poor inexperienced spokesperson, facing this crazy under-resourcing.

Where will it end?

Me being interviewed via my laptop?

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As if that wasn't frustrating enough, I just had a call from This Morning to say they are dropping the Frank cannabis launch from the show- because they want to follow something that's come up over the weekend?

They messed me around all last week and after finally saying no, they then said yes- because a celebrity had dropped out.

So what is so important now?

Another celebrity has said yes, no doubt.

More important than our youth's exposure to cannabis and mental health issues?

In their world!

Happily, I am still booked on Sky and the BBC New Channel tomorrow..and I think this story has legs.

So watch this space.

I may boycott This Morning from now on.

I'm getting sick of being messed around by them.