Tag Archives: journalism

How should broadcast news journalists interview and talk about extremists?

Posted on November 23, 2016 by samiraahmed

Over the weekend I spoke to veteran ex BBC journalist Robin Lustig, Berlin correspondent Damien McGuinness for an insight into Germany’s media and Stuart Stevens, Mitt Romney’s 2012 senior strategist for 2 articles I wrote for The Guardian and The … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, journalism, Media, Politics, Radio, Religion, TV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A brief history of the News At Ten: one of the biggest mistakes in the British TV News business

Posted on September 17, 2015 by samiraahmed

The Culture Secretary’s  speech to the Royal Television Society conference in Cambridge last night included an observation about whether the BBC should be presenting its flagship evening bulletin at 10 pm – the same time as its main commercial rival … Continue reading →

Posted in Business/Economics, journalism, Media, TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

The truth about true crime: A crime reporter’s qualms about Serial

Posted on January 7, 2015 by samiraahmed

I’ve reported on violent crime for 25 years including the OJ Simpson case. I consider it a privilege to cover trials. Strip away the glamour of celebrity and a very large proportion, such as the OJ Simpson case, are about … Continue reading →

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Outrage is cheap: Challenging politicians about Rotherham, race & misogyny

Posted on October 6, 2014 by samiraahmed

  I suppose it’s good to still get agitated about stories I cover. But the amount of political capital that politicans have tried to make out of the Rotherham child sexual grooming scandal left me all the more appalled when … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Crime and Justice, journalism, Media, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A mystery for Sherlock: Why won’t big media organisations pay for online photos?

Posted on February 26, 2014 by samiraahmed

This photo is copyright Samira Ahmed (@SamiraAhmedUK) I posted some photos on Twitter on Sunday taken on a phone at a family party of a Sherlock Holmes cake, which generated a lot of interest. I’m not a professional photographer, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Business/Economics, journalism, Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 88 Comments

The art of newswriting – KU Writing School Class notes

Posted on February 6, 2014 by samiraahmed

  These are links to some of the stories and ideas we discussed in Thursday’s class. RADIO: BBC R4 NEWS BRIEFING (play 2nd item from 1:18 to 1: 59) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03sbkqq TV: ARIEL SHARON FUNERAL JAN 2014 (JEREMY BOWEN) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25709378 TABLOID … Continue reading →

Posted in journalism, Kingston University class notes, Media, Radio, TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What If…? HG Wells, Arnold Bennett and your alternative future

Posted on January 14, 2014 by samiraahmed

It is early January in a new century and a group of  technicolored-Victorian gentlemen are awaiting the return of their friend from the future. I’ve always loved the 1960 film of HG Wells’ The Time Machine. Drawing inspiration from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Film, History, Politics, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Missing news: A tale of an NHS rally, zombies and security guards

Posted on October 4, 2013 by samiraahmed

Should the BBC have given more attention and coverage to a mass protest rally over NHS changes outside Tory party Conference in Manchester on Sept 29th last weekend that attracted over 50,000 marchers? The rally, organised by unions, was mentioned. But like other … Continue reading →

Posted in journalism, Media, Politics, TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Why Be A Journalist?

Posted on June 20, 2013 by samiraahmed

I spent a curious, but lively morning at News International today. The organisation hosted a one day conference for many state school students on behalf of the Young Journalists’ Academy, encouraging them to consider entering the trade. I was asked … Continue reading →

Posted in journalism, Media, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

But it’s news… Some questions about Woolwich coverage

Posted on May 23, 2013 by samiraahmed

 I’ll be discussing questions about BBC TV’s news coverage of the horrific Woolwich street murder of a young soldier on Newswatch with the head of the BBC Newsroom, Mary Hockaday on Friday May 24th. This blog post lays out some … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, journalism, Media, TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 47 Comments