There’s extra to presenting the information than merely studying the tales.
Naga Munchetty has been a newsreader and broadcast journalist for the BBC for over 18 years (Picture: BBC)
Former Newsnight host Jeremy Paxman as soon as stated, “Any idiot can learn the information”. He subsequently publicly denounced the newsreading career, saying it lacks “any grandeur or talent” throughout an look on the RHLSTP with Richard Herring podcast. Whereas his rhetoric could seem a bit harsh in the direction of his former colleagues and contemporaries, few individuals might say they have not appeared on the information and lamented what a simple job it seems to be. Which begs the query why are some individuals higher at it than others?
I’ve to look at lots of information for work – and subsequently lots of information presenters – and the truth is there is a little more to it than Jeremy recommended. They should truly perceive the tales and the background to them with a view to convey them with the mandatory gravitas or, if applicable, humour. They should put emphasis on the right sections of the story and, so simple as this sounds, they want to have the ability to articulate. Regardless of his deeply flawed private decisions, few would argue Huw Edwards wasn’t good at his job earlier than his fall from grace. He ticked all of the bins for a information presenter (aside from not fancying younger boys!)
Alongside the skillset required to really share the tales, presenters even have sure tips they should comply with – together with impartiality. That is an space some wrestle with. BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty, who ought to know higher after 18 years with the Beeb having joined the company in 2008, was discovered to have breached BBC tips in 2019.
This got here after she acknowledged she was “completely livid” about Donald Trump’s remarks telling feminine politicians of color to “return” to their dwelling nations. The choice prompted an enormous backlash, and the ruling was finally reversed by then-Director Normal Lord Corridor, who acknowledged her phrases weren’t enough to advantage an upheld grievance however it does name her impartiality into query.
This does not essentially make her the worst newsreader on TV – a number of others have additionally proven they’ve impartiality points round sure tales. Final 12 months BBC newsreader Martine Croxall famously went viral and was discovered to have damaged BBC impartiality guidelines after altering a stay broadcast script to vary the time period “pregnant individuals” to “ladies”.
The BBC’s Govt Complaints Unit (ECU) upheld 20 impartiality complaints and concluded her facial expressions and on-air script adjustments gave the “robust impression of expressing a private view on a controversial matter” relating to trans identification, thereby violating editorial tips. Regardless of your private emotions on the problems, newsreaders will not be imagined to current their very own.
However even that does not essentially make somebody the worst – and it’s a very subjective factor. A fast search across the web reveals Kay Burley was unpopular with many viewers earlier than her departure from Sky Information in February 2025. But others actually preferred her.
So, as a TV knowledgeable, who do I discover the worst – unequivocally, it must be one among Sky Information most up-to-date signings, Cathy Newman, who joined after a 20-year stint at Channel 4 Information. She was the topic of many complaints all through these 20 years, and simply weeks into her new function, she was humiliated stay on air by Zia Yusuf.
He shut her down whereas discussing Nigel Farage’s feedback in regards to the homicide of Henry Nowak. Referring to the latest protests which had damaged out in Southampton, Newman stated: “Nigel Farage issued an announcement on digicam calling for individuals to reply with ‘pure chilly rage’, that is incitement, is not it?”
“Did you watch the bodycam footage, Cathy?” he requested. As Newman famous, she had swiftly interrupted Yusuf. “Cathy, what did you are feeling having watched it?” When she ignored the query, he continued to press her, main the presenter to announce: “I am conducting the interview, so I’m asking you if that’s incitement.” As quickly as she needed to pull the “I am the interviewer” card, she misplaced all credibility – and that’s one thing all information presenters want in spades.
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