I have just watched this evenings news with Jon Snow with a growing sense of rage that this man thinks that media freedom to report what it wants when it wants at the expense of the safety of not only Prince Harry but all of our troops. Does he not understand we are at war with an appalling enemy that does not play by the rules. Had he been around in WW2 would he have been on the beaches of Normandy the day before tipping off the enemy? We are in a horrible war, anything that benefits the enemy should not be divulged. To do so is and should be treated as Treason. Jon Snow treated tonights subject as some sort of game with a silly smirk on his face. I think he should be sent to walk the streets of Afghanistan to show what a brave man he is, preferably with a big red arrow over his head! I'm going to switch to Channel 5,even Natasha Kaplinsky can't be this thick!

Jon Snow is a buffoon. Only lefties can bear his appalling bias and dreadful self righteousness.

A well structured and questioning report and interview from Jon Snow this evening on the 'Harry' story.

Something too often missing from the News today good journalism.

Keep it up!

quote:

Originally posted by illiam:
A well structured and questioning report and interview from Jon Snow this evening on the 'Harry' story.

Something too often missing from the News today good journalism.

Keep it up!

Snow wouldn't know good journalism if it bit him in the ass.

He has an agenda that stands out a mile.

The reports were okay. Jon Snow, though was just bizarre, even for him. He really does seem to be losing it. He appeared to be determined to turn the interviews into some sort of ill-thought out polemic. Fortunately, the interviewees were smart enough thta he just ended up making the Channel 4 News team look like idiots. Pity, really - could have been an interesting discussion had some else been doing the interviewing.

Snow has an agenda?

The only agenda I have seen him pursue during many years of watching C4 news is objectivity - something sadly that is all to missing from British journalism today.

I think its pointless to simply level insults.

C4 News is (like many media) these days anxious to stimulate positive and critical feedback. Why not use the opportunity to criticise positively.

You only ultimately anger yourself when you resort to insult.

Snow losing it?

I think in fact he was making a valuable point missed elsewhere i.e. that in a democratic society accomodations made by the media (even if it is to protect a Prince) are the start of a very dangerous and slippery road to censorship.

quote:

Originally posted by QOSheba:
Who cares?

Snow is about as objective as Fox News. Just because he's coming from the side you agree with doesn't make him somehow impartial.

The press don't report lots of stuff. They sign non-disclosure agreements etc all the time. Point is, they have the freedom to do so, or not. Thats not even remotely like censorship. Freedom to report doesn't mean having to report irresponsibly, or report everything, regardless of the consequences.

Well done hero Harry.

quote:

Originally posted by illiam:
Snow losing it?

The simple answer is yes. There are times when he can barely read his hard copy let alone his autocue. The fact that he is still allowed to anchor this flagship news programme is nothing short of inverted ageism. The man can be a truly sad embarrassment. Tonight he came over more as a pompous pratt rather than a defender of the freedom and integrity of the British media.

quote:

Originally posted by tony leeds:
I have just watched this evenings news with Jon Snow with a growing sense of rage that this man thinks that media freedom to report what it wants when it wants at the expense of the safety of not only Prince Harry but all of our troops. Does he not understand we are at war with an appalling enemy that does not play by the rules. Had he been around in WW2 would he have been on the beaches of Normandy the day before tipping off the enemy? We are in a horrible war, anything that benefits the enemy should not be divulged. To do so is and should be treated as Treason. Jon Snow treated tonights subject as some sort of game with a silly smirk on his face. I think he should be sent to walk the streets of Afghanistan to show what a brave man he is, preferably with a big red arrow over his head! I'm going to switch to Channel 5,even Natasha Kaplinsky can't be this thick!

quote:

Does he not understand we are at war with an appalling enemy that does not play by the rules.

I thought we invaded them to get the poppy crop?

quote:

Originally posted by Edibees:
Snow is about as objective as Fox News. Just because he's coming from the side you agree with doesn't make him somehow impartial.

The press don't report lots of stuff. They sign non-disclosure agreements etc all the time. Point is, they have the freedom to do so, or not. Thats not even remotely like censorship. Freedom to report doesn't mean having to report irresponsibly, or report everything, regardless of the consequences.

I quite agree that there are restrictive accords periodically within the media but that does not make it good practice.

By the way its not a case of 'sides' I have not expressed a view on that.

I do hope all the folk in the UK don't have to agree with a news story to regard it as well conducted and presented?

You do not have to support the news presenters focus on an issue to appreciate its candour and balance.

quote:

Originally posted by John W. Elliott:

quote:

Originally posted by illiam:
Snow losing it?

The simple answer is yes. There are times when he can barely read his hard copy let alone his autocue. The fact that he is still allowed to anchor this flagship news programme is nothing short of inverted ageism. The man can be a truly sad embarrassment. Tonight he came over more as a pompous pratt rather than a defender of the freedom and integrity of the British media.

I can appreciate from the tone of your post that you are annoyed but I think your criticism of the professionalism with which Snow carries out his job as an anchor on a key news programme is misplaced. Obviously generally you must enjoy it and appreciate his professionalism or you would not have been watching this evening.

In addition your unnecessary reference to age I think to an extent proves my point.

I don't think that just because someone watch C4 News, you can conclude that they 'appreciate' Jon Snow's 'professionalism'. There are some excellent people working for C4 news, but sadly imho JS ain't one of them any more.

quote:

By the way its not a case of 'sides' I have not expressed a view on that.

I wasn't really refering specifically to 'you', illiam – the point was that some people seem to think that just because they agree with the presenter, it must be that the presenter is being impartial. I happen to agree with him on some things, but I certainly would never say he's impartial - he's easily one of the most biased news presenter on UK televison. Candour and balance are definitely not words i'd associate with Snow most of the time!

quote:

Originally posted by illiam:

quote:

Originally posted by John W. Elliott:

quote:

Originally posted by illiam:
Snow losing it?

The simple answer is yes. There are times when he can barely read his hard copy let alone his autocue. The fact that he is still allowed to anchor this flagship news programme is nothing short of inverted ageism. The man can be a truly sad embarrassment. Tonight he came over more as a pompous pratt rather than a defender of the freedom and integrity of the British media.

I can appreciate from the tone of your post that you are annoyed but I think your criticism of the professionalism with which Snow carries out his job as an anchor on a key news programme is misplaced. Obviously generally you must enjoy it and appreciate his professionalism or you would not have been watching this evening.

In addition your unnecessary reference to age I think to an extent proves my point.

To refuse to watch the programme because of the manifold presentational inadequacies of Mr Snow would be to subscribe to a latter day version of the Donatist heresy. The reference to his age is most apt and necessary as this now seems to be having a most detrimental effect on the manner in which he does his work.

quote:

Originally posted by illiam:
Snow losing it?

I think in fact he was making a valuable point missed elsewhere i.e. that in a democratic society accomodations made by the media (even if it is to protect a Prince) are the start of a very dangerous and slippery road to censorship.

Snow's point was ridiculous. No army in any country gives away operational or tactical information if it can help it. Democracy has absolutely nothing to do with it. This is about the deployment of troops and nothing more.

quote:

Originally posted by Tomus:
Snow's point was ridiculous. No army in any country gives away operational or tactical information if it can help it. Democracy has absolutely nothing to do with it. This is about the deployment of troops and nothing more.

Snow wasn't going on about the Army but the fact that the British press colluded to keep quite about it.

If you can't see the bigger picture you really should get that myopia sorted out.

quote:

Originally posted by dereki:

quote:

Originally posted by Tomus:
Snow's point was ridiculous. No army in any country gives away operational or tactical information if it can help it. Democracy has absolutely nothing to do with it. This is about the deployment of troops and nothing more.

Snow wasn't going on about the Army but the fact that the British press colluded to keep quite about it.

If you can't see the bigger picture you really should get that myopia sorted out.

The press regularly collude with the army over military matters of which this was one.

Leaking that Harry was in Afghanistan would have compromised operational and military security. There is no "bigger" picture.

quote:

Originally posted by Tomus:
The press regularly collude with the army over military matters of which this was one.

Please give me one example where the MOD and the Press have colluded over an individual

quote:

Originally posted by Tomus:
No army in any country gives away operational or tactical information if it can help it.

UK Forces in theatre (deploying from 10 October 2007)

* 52 Infantry Brigade Headquarters and 258 Signal Squadron
* 846 Naval Air Squadron
* Naval Strike Wing
* 40 Commando Royal Marines
* Armoured Support Group, Royal Marines
* The Household Cavalry Regiment
* 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
* 1st Battalion Scots Guards
* 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
* 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles
* 4th Regiment, Royal Artillery
* 36 Engineer Regiment
* 27 Transport Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
* 5 General Support Medical Regiment
* 1 Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
* Elements of The King's Royal Hussars
* Elements of The Queen's Royal Lancers
* Elements of 5th Regiment, Royal Artillery
* Elements of 16th Regiment, Royal Artillery
* Elements of 32nd Regiment, Royal Artillery
* Elements of 39th Regiment, Royal Artillery
* Elements of 47th Regiment, Royal Artillery
* Elements of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
* Elements of 70 Gurkha Field Support Squadron
* Headquarters 62 Works Group Royal Engineers ,519 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (Works)
* Elements of 10th Signal Regiment, The Royal Corps of Signals
* Elements of 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare), The Royal Corps of Signals
* Elements of 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support), The Royal Corps of Signals
* Elements of 30th Signal Regiment, The Royal Corps Signals
* Elements of 3 Regiment, Army Air Corps
* Elements of 1 Close Support Company, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
* Elements of 7th Battalion, The Rifles
* Elements of 52nd Lowland, 6 Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
* Elements of 9 Regiment, Army Air Corps
* Headquarters 102 Logistic Brigade
* Elements of 9 Supply Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
* Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
* Elements of 12 Logistic Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
* Elements of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps (47 Air Dispatch Squadron)
* Elements of 24 Postal Courier and Movement Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
* Elements of 29 Postal Courier and Movement Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
* Elements of 148 Squadron Expeditionary Forces Institute (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic Corps
* Hospital Squadron formed from 201 Field Hospital (V) and 243 Field Hospital (V)
* Elements of 7 Air Assault Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
* 101 Provost Company, 5th Provost Regiment, Royal Military Police
* Elements of 1 Military Intelligence Brigade
* Elements of Joint Civil Military Co-operation (CIMIC) Group
* Elements of 90 Signals Unit Royal Air Force
* 904 Expeditionary Air Wing Royal Air Force
* Elements of 1 Air Control Centre Royal Air Force
* 15 Regiment Field Squadron Royal Air Force
* 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters Royal Air Force
* Elements of:
* 18 Squadron Royal Air Force
* 24 Squadron Royal Air Force
* 27 Squadrons Royal Air Force
* 30 Squadron Royal Air Force
* 47 Squadron Royal Air Force
* 70 Squadron Royal Air Force
* Elements of 1 Air Movements Wing Royal Air Force
* Elements of 85 (Expeditionary Logistic) Wing Headquarters, Royal Air Force
* Elements of 2 Motor Transport Squadron, Royal Air Force
* Elements of 5001 Squadron, Royal Air Force
* Elements of Mobile Catering Support Unit
* Elements of Tactical Medical Wing
* Elements of Tactical Armament Squadron
* Elements of Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing
* Elements of 151Transport Regiment (Volunteers) The Royal Logistic Corps

Source

But this isn't just an individual its a senior member of the Royal Family and also a serving soldier. Press silence allowed him to serve without compromising himself or his men. Just as the press agree not to publish accounts of troop movements or deployments.

quote:

Originally posted by Tomus:
But this isn't just an individual its a senior member of the Royal Family and also a serving soldier.

Yes - it's about an individual.

quote:

Just as the press agree not to publish accounts of troop movements or deployments.

Tosh! The press regularly reports on deployments.

quote:

Originally posted by dereki:

quote:

Originally posted by Tomus:
But this isn't just an individual its a senior member of the Royal Family and also a serving soldier.

Yes - it's about an individual.

quote:

Just as the press agree not to publish accounts of troop movements or deployments.

Tosh! The press regularly reports on deployments.

Yes with military approval. They will not compromise operational security.