What do you want in Monday's programme?
- 5 Nov 07, 10:37 AM
Continuing with our experiment that began last week, we're sharing the early thoughts of our production team and asking for your ideas as to what Newsnight should be covering tonight. Here's today's e-mail from output editor, Dan...
Pakistan
Pakistan is clearly very interesting. Can Musharaff succeed? Will the army stand with him? What can/should the West do about this? Having invested so much in the President to fight Al Queda and the Taliban, what is the West's room for manoeuvre? If Musharaff's rule unravels will this be another watershed moment in the so-called war on terror?
Queen's speech
The Queen's speech is tomorrow - can Brown find a theme, vision for his Government?
Credit crunch
The head of Citigroup has gone, the Sainsbury's private equity deal is off, are we witnessing the credit crunch mark two?
Beer rebranding
We have a fascinating film on the attempts of Stella Artois to rebrand its beer, as it tries to shed its nickname as the "wife-beater's" drink of choice.
Any thoughts on these? Guest ideas? Other stories we should do?
Comments Post your comment
STella rebranding
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Dear Editors,
Obviously, you have posted your message, before the "terror threat" statement by the MI5.
One other suggestion might be this "Jehovas Witnesses" story. Ingeneral, "stupidity of some religious beliefs in this day and age" subject can be interesting.
After Merrl Lynch, Citigroup's CEO has been sacked. What is happening in the markets ? Come your Your Economics editor ?
Regards
Zafer Arapkirli
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Perhaps the people paid to produce Newsnight could help you, if you don't have any ideas? Then the rest of us could come home from doing our job, to watch you doing yours?
Just an idea. Unless you want to pay the rest of us to do your job instead?
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BROWN VISION
"Man who looks toward spolight loses vision."
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Dear Newsnight
In terms of appeals against convictions perhaps an underlying issue is that there must be an acceptance that to ensure innocent people are not wrongly imprisoned , the system will also set free a certain percentage who are guilty,
We could ensure that no guilty person is set free, by setting no one free, but there again if we set the parameters too wide, and set the criteria impossibly high for conviction, then the system will fail to deter crime,
A feature could look at how we as a society - perhaps drawing upon the most up to date technology can try to get this balance as right as we can.
In some crimes the balance is clearly wrong in that the conviction rate is far too low. The problem has already being recognised by the Government so what have they being doing to increase conviction rates since then 鈥揘OW THAT THE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT IS OFF THEM ON THIS?
Cue for Newsnight.
I have to say I hate criminals and certain types should never be released,
the story from last week still bothers me, and to me the issues of discipline and a feeling that may exist in a very few Police officers that they are somehow above the law still needs to be addressed. This is for the sake of the majority of the decent and brave officers in the Police, and for the rest of us who may end up in the wrong place at the wrong time
Hope helpful,
The real results from this innovation may be over the long term so please persist with it,
best wishes
Bob
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Here's a suggestion - why don't you do your own job?
Newsnight has worked perfectly well for many years without the need to open everything up to the viewing public, and yet this mania for 'interactivity' seems to have engulfed the whole programme.
Anyway, since you asked, how about ditching the speculation and flippancy that seems to have overcome the last two remaining serious elements of 成人论坛 TV news (Ten O'Clock News and Newsnight) and go back to interesting and insightful stories on serious world issues, rather than tacky items such as 'what if there had been an election on 1 November?' (last Wednesday's programme)?
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ROOM TO MANOEUVRE
As "Christians" confronting Muslims, does not the Bible teach mote-and-beam humility? Lets tell them all our faults. By the time we finish they will be so sorry for us they will have no animosity.
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Credit crunch
Pakistan
Queen's speech
Beer rebranding
Both the Credit Crunch and Pakistan have world wide implications, the Credit Crunch effects more people.
the Queen's speech is intresting but in reality Brown knows what he's going to say and we don't (thro sources can give hints). may a lead for tomrrow but low priority for today. and Beer rebranding... Well the domestic violance issue is of course still as relivent as ever but is it really that important?
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Let's see something about politics - I know, for a change! It appears to me that Cameron is taking Blair's opposition style to heart and managing to get on the news every single day. What is Brown and New Labour doing about it? Are they even capable of meeting and overcoming this new threat? Or will they continue to take a passive line and let the Tories tear themselves apart as usual?
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Pakistan, an unstable shallow democracy and a country with terrifying cultural and economic barriers to Womens Empowerment and Womens Health and education. But UK goverment and the EU support development projects by providing funds through governments rather than direct to locally initiated and managed projects and programmes.
Shouldn't your programme be looking at the impact of isolation on the development of a stronger democracy through development programmes particularly related to women and children.
Contact the Women's Empowerment Group in Lahore and look at the picture through their eyes not the political apologistts in Islamabad.
PLw - Peter L. Walker FCIPR
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The Credit Crunch.
US Banks are now $1-TRILLION in the hole for mortgages which are worthless.
And repo's in the US will leave 2MILLION people homeless.
(Add these to the 1MILLION homeless in Mexico because of the floods.)
Someone MUST look at - and be prepared to talk about - the implications for the global economic system, "free markets" and all.
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Oprah Winfrey story is more exciting than beer rebranding
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Hi there
How about covering the news about the "Journalists rally over standards". We are following the US with sensationalising our news coverage, with ratings being unfortunately at the root of all journalism. Is professionalism and high quality journalism being jeopardised by the public's Hunger for News 24/7? Is it not time to take stock of how we are spoonfed news?
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Hiya,
I'd like to know more about the impending bother in Pakistan and the beer rebranding.
The credit crunch story is of no interest to me whatsoever, I'm sure we'll still wake up tomorrow. Beer and war much more interesting...
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I would focus on Pakistan.
Leave idle speculation about the Queen's Speech until we have heard it.
Interestingly, despite the gloomy scenario for the banking sector, Citibank shares did well in Asian markets following the CEO's departure so potentially a good piece here. Can the banks lend their way out of difficulty?
As for Stella - 'reassuringly expensive' wife beating beer? Too far fetched for me.
What about going back to Pakistan and the begining of the India cricket tour while Imran Khan is reportedly under house arrest?
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SELF DRIVE MIRE
Postings 3 and 6 (so far) and others on previous nights, are hitting the nail 鈥 but then I suspect PRESENTERS know the truth of it while not wanting to be out of a job. (Presenters just nod when no one is looking.) It is the 鈥測oung truks鈥 who tonker around with everything, applying the adage: 鈥渋f it ain鈥檛 broke 鈥 break it to show you can鈥 who are to blame - I suspect. They just love going off road - miles off - and leaving precious rare species with tyre marks all over. However 鈥 if it IS the presenters doing all this stuff (see 6) please own up on air and explain why it is good. It beats me.
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Forgive me (Barrie - posting 15) but don't presenters and reporters nod when everyone is looking. Was that not the whole point of the 'noddies' debate recently? Please can we get back to news and current affairs and stop playing up-market Jim'll Fix IT?
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Should pub landlords be responsible for enforcing the ban on smoking in public places?
Would love Jeremy to interview this guy, then he could legitimately go on air and ask sardonically whether he really thinks all politicians are "posturing political prats"!
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I agree with other comments on here about the idea that Newsnight can ask its viewers to almost produce the show for them under the guise of 'interactivity'. Surely you realise that Newsnight viewers aren't that guillible.
Recently there has been a debate about whether programmes like Newsnight and Today would survive the draconian and misguided budget cuts. One argument was that, although these programmes aren't hugely popular in real numbers, they are very influential. That's why people watch/listen to them so regularly. They want to be informed, especially with regards to stories that might otherwise escape the public's notice. Asking what viewers want defeats the object.
I'm sorry that production and newsgathering staff numbers are to be cut, but this isn't a long-term solution.
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Pakistan please. And forget the Stella - unless you can come up with a decent story around champagne or the secrets of a good martini, I'm not interested.
How flexible can you guys be? In the light of the recent warnings from MI5 I think this is a must.
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Definitely NOT the Queen's speech!!!
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With regard to Pakistan,surely the problem is
we justified the invasion of Iraq on the basis of supporting democracy then support an anti democrat in Pakistan as part of "the war on terror". It would be nice if the 成人论坛 actually addressed this contradiction instead of skating over it.
The announcement from MI5, isn't it about time the 成人论坛 started challenging figures like this, which are simply made up, rather than accepting them as fact ? As I understand it MI5 have not proved anyone guilty of anything, yet magically we are all in much more danger. I am really getting fed up with the politics of fear.
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Dear Newsnight
The postings from some designed to discourage you in this irritates me deeply, its speaks more about their negativity than your attempt to try something different,
one of the problems we have in the UK is a pervasive can't do pessimism, pulling people down wherever possible. Whereas we need to imitate other countries like the US with its positive can do attitude,
I watched coverage of the Space Shuttle walk at a service station over the weekend, utterly amazing and inspiring to us all,
Well done America!
Another thought for you,
Perhaps you could look at one of the pivotal battles in World History,
The Battle of Ayn Jalut in 1260 where the Muslim World turned the tide against the Mongols and played a decisive role in saving the Christian World from being decimated by them.
It might be timely to look at such things, and all that what we have learned from the Arab world. Many people know nothing about this, so much for our education...
(and cooperation between Christians and Muslims made this victory possible)
best wishes
Bob
Please ignore the negative postings on this blog about what you are attempting
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Find out more about British teenage terrorists as stated by M15 boss in lunchtime interview
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I agree with all the comments that suggest you just get on with doing your job. I am quite sure that this initiative did not come from Paxo and probably from no other member of the presentation team.
Who is asking for this spurious exercise in consultation? I know of no restaurant that asks for customers'recipe suggestions, no newspaper that asks what readers would like to see printed.
Life is too short (despite the fact that I am writing this comment)to do your job and ours. Just get on with it.
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The murder/killing of the Brazilian chappy; so very important that it just can't be left to rest as things are.
The crucially important referendum we nearly ALL want on Europe, but are not being given as of yet.
The increasing 'poverty' of the new Brown government. Where is it leading us?
NB. Please ignore the poor people who are rude to you here about your recent initiative to allow viewers to contribute with ideas etc..
______________________________________
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What reassurance is Gordon Brown giving to the public over the potential economic tsunami crashing its way over to Britian? Following the demise of Charles Prince and a 57% drop in profits of the world's biggest bank, is it responsible of the banks to offer out of reach mortgages to those who don't have a hope in hell of paying? A first-time buyer's cheapest option of a home is on a property of at least 拢200,00.
Gordon Brown - discuss. He was in charge as Northern Rock hurtled to oblivion and now bank worries haunt the golbal market. There is a huge credit crunch on the way and the Treasury are doing nothing and saying nothing to their public.
Newsnight needs a debate on this continuing subject - fast.
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Emma (3), David (6), Barrie (16), Stepthen (19) and Rob (24) - We'd like to reassure you that we're not trying to do Newsnight on the cheap by getting you to do our work for us - what we are trying to do is give you an insight into how the programme works, and encourage you to let us know your thoughts on the stories we've done / plan to do.
As Peter said in his blog on Friday:
"We don't want you to do our job, we just want to know what you'd like so we can do our job better....
Your e-mails are simply instant audience research so we can check that our ideas about what to put in the programme and your expectations aren't completely at odds, although we reserve the right sometimes to serve up dishes you might hate."
Brian
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Dear Newsnight,
I am writing from Belgium, you know it as the land without Government. I am a regular viewer of the program an a belgian citizen so of course I am interested in what you have to say about Stella. We haven't heart anything about it.
Yours sincerely
Pieter Dobbelaere
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I hadn't realised Stella was a "wife beaters" drink! Would have thought "Carlsburg Special Brew" was more of a "hooligan's dirnk". Look forward the report on beer :-)!!!
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Also wanted to add if we could have a slot on Emma Gough - the Jehovah's Witness who died after refusing a blood transfusion to save her life following the birth of her twins. Doctors had begged her to reconsider, but she refused. Is this just another form of suicide? Should it be allowed to happen? Perhaps there could be a change in the law preventing people from refusing treatment to save their lives. Either way, I always used to think that hopsitals were places where lives were saved.
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Greg @26:
I'm not being rude - I just want editors to have the balls to choose the stories they run, rather than constantly consulting the audience. Some of the greatest pieces of foreign reporting and investigative journalism have been aired because editors and producers took a story that was outside the public consciousness, may have been unpopular with the public, politicians, or the broadcaster's management, but which needed to be heard.
I just worry that this the same slippery slope on which the 成人论坛's politics (think The Daily Politics) and news (think News 24, the Six O'Clock News) output are already a fair way down ...
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Please, Pakistan's crisis. This could ultimately effect the whole world,especially since Pakistan is a nuclear power in a very unstable region with a very unstable government.
Thank you!
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As most of The Queen's Speech does not apply to Scotland schedule it
after the Newsnight Scotland opt-out
please and make explicit in reports transmitted south of the border that most of these are English bills. It may get up Gordon's nose if you do that but we're more interested in the extended coverage of Pakistan, the credit crunch & Stella Artois!
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Dear Newsnight
As I see it this is an 鈥榠deas bank鈥 not a version of Question time
We suggest the bait and people like Jeremy Paxman will continue to haul in the catch,
The weakness of Question Time is perhaps that the while questions might be excellent they would have greater impact if delivered by an experienced interrogator.
Best wishes
Bob
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WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS GET INTO THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS OR ISLAMISTS? THIS IS MUCH MORE SERIOUS THAN IRAQ?IRAN? AFGANISTAN!!!!!
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AGE OF CHANGE - BUT WHY?
Is it me or are Peter Barron and Brian Thornton stating inconsistent objectives in the PM 鈥淎ge of Change鈥 debate? I am still no wiser 鈥 although I asked for enlightenment 鈥 what is 鈥済ood鈥 in all this, in terms of a competent, worthwhile program that engages minds seeking information and cogent comment.
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David (32)
Don't worry on that score - we're not aiming for government by focus group.
I agree some of the best things on TV generally and on Newsnight come from ideas that the viewers would never have asked for or maybe had no knowledge of, and we'll certainly continue to seek those out.
But I don't think that means we should ignore the audience altogether.
Peter
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Other thing you should talk about!
You should consider the massive number of advantages that there would be in moving Government to the north-east of England.
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#39 Better still:
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Repossess Westminster?...The Public Knows we are all Owed...!
Council tax payers could repossess council properties and police stations...
House accountants should acknowledge The Location Cost with Post Code shares... every home could discount income tax and council tax into an Advantage Tax....to support and reward those companies that make our locations attractive...
We should repossess the NHS...they have diminished every age of humanity with their MEDS Modernist Economically Degrading Substances...and arrest their criminally behaved paramilitaries...
Repossess our schools and campuses to free them from academia and support the growing potential of all..
11% believed in Blair's Prejudice Movement... 86% love the Customer Opportunities Movement..COMs...
We look forward to the world... of open access organisations and subscriptions to company clubs for all...
..to a world where all can get the advantages they want through customer representation ... through town websites and preference popularisation systems...
...to the world of possibility and Great Britain...that many have enjoyed...and a world free of prejudice but prepared for supportive interaction
BCD TLC
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ps to my No.11: Credit Crunch
What we need to hear is WHAT and WHEN re the REFORMS to the system (and its lack of solid standards) that has created this situation. It is Enron and Worldcom all over again.
Thank you!
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PI Charts
What about a little betting game - in view of the news on Pakistan, what are the odds for Pakistan and India being the first 'Superpowers' to declare Nuclear War on each other - or are the odds-on favourites Israel-Palestine ........ hmmmm. Decisions, decisions, decisions. And Pi Charts.
Complicated thing this - mixing politics, war and sacred geometry.
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Better still, Graham (posting 39), why not move the whole government to Sweden? That is where my tax self-assessment requests come from these days. Malmo to be precise.
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Well said Bob Goodall (post #23). It is about time that British people thought about what they do have, rather than what they don't have. When did winging and moaning pass for constructive criticism? As I see it, all Newsnight wants are ideas. between it and it's viewers.
I would like to suggest, a profile on Canada. Canada would make a good comparison with the UK - a parliamentary system of government, similar civil service and a similar health care system. Some interesting subjects might also be - the Conservative government's take on environmental policy and the appalling Third World conditions endured by the First Nations People. Perhaps a joint news programme with the CBC?
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mistress76 - I understand the point you're making, but I believe people must ultimately be allowed to refuse their treatment. Cancer patients in the final days of chemotherapy know best whether the payoff is worth the pain. Sometimes they can be guaranteed life, sometimes it is just postponing the inevitable.
I'm personally not a fan of euthanasia, but as an alternative approach a patient must have the right to refuse treatment, although I would agree in this instance it appears to be based on a rather mis judged interpretation of the Bible.
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My friend gets irritable, verbally agressive,rude and abusive more often after drinking Stella Artois than other, even twice as strong alcoholic drinks {eg. special brew} and we try to remind him not to drink it.
Obviously this is not a statistically significant observation but is interesting compared to the report, the reputation and the law court observations.
There can be increasing sensitivity to, and use of additives and agro-chemicals; and more food sensitivities including grains and sugar (all of which can cause physical and mental symptoms) - could one or more of these happen to be involved for this product ?
I realise the effect of alcohol and why people drink too much is a wider issue but i do not think it is thought about nutritionally, enough. [Unfortunately i do not see alcoholics, homeless or binge drinkers "deciding" to buy organic, low-sugar or low-allergen drinks especially if they are more expensive and are already drunk - although at that level the alcohol, and possibly sugar may overide other considerations].
PS: As one can of special brew (4.5 units) contains more than one days' 'responsible drinking' should it be allowed for sale as an individual portion?
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Well said Bob Goodall (post #23). It is about time that British people thought about what they do have, rather than what they don't have. When did winging and moaning pass for constructive criticism? As I see it, all Newsnight wants are ideas. between it and it's viewers.
I would like to suggest, a profile on Canada. Canada would make a good comparison with the UK - a parliamentary system of government, similar civil service and a similar health care system. Some interesting subjects might also be - the Conservative government's take on environmental policy and the appalling Third World conditions endured by the First Nations People. Perhaps a joint news programme with the CBC?
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Both thumbs up sign from Jeremy
"Keep sending you ideas"
He seems a lot happier now !
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