Natasha the news celebrity

Posted on March 30th, 2008 by sherrilynne

The Independent on Sunday’s Ian Burrell has written an excellent analysis of the UK’s TV news offerings in light of Ms Kaplinsky’s move from the BBC to Five. It’s clear that management of ‘Natasha the celebrity’ has underpinned the successful management of ‘Natasha the journalist’. Ian asks if ‘personality’ is essential in TV news. His answer is both yes and no:

Yes…

  • Newscasting is no longer simply about being able to read a clever script off an autocuetvscoop.tv
  • If we just want the headlines we can get them anytime, anywhere at the click of a mouse
  • Television is part of the entertainment industry and news cannot operate in a void of its own

No…

  • It is the quality of a bulletin’s newsgathering operation that will determine its success
  • The underlying trend in TV news is to move away from gimmickry and into serious analysis and explanation
  • News audiences are different – they want information delivered with gravitas not with celebrity sparkle

Filed under: public relations

2 Responses to “Natasha the news celebrity”

  1. Leo Bottary , on March 30th, 2008 at 11:48 am Said:

    Mr. Kaplinsky’s answers are sad, but true and certainly consistent with news in the US at every level.

  2. Nathan Pledger , on March 30th, 2008 at 12:39 pm Said:

    I’ve said for a long time that Kaplinksy offers nothing to news other than an investigation on the anmount of make-up one person can wear. You can have attractive females who have gravitas without the kiss-me-quick sparkle the likes of Kaplinksy offers. Bring back Moira.

    And the move to five clarifies everything, for me at least.

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