The PM's use of tame media is annoying the big guns at Sky, ITN and the BBC.

[dipsydoodle]

Britain's senior political television journalists are at war with Downing Street over what they see as attempts by David Cameron to bypass them and use less critical media outlets to broadcast policies to the public.

Senior producers from the BBC, ITN and Sky called a meeting ahead of the parliamentary recess to ask for more access to the Prime Minister, after what they regarded as a concerted effort by Downing Street to avoid questioning from tough political interviewers. Senior correspondents and producers said Mr Cameron was allowing them fewer opportunities to ask him questions than Tony Blair or Gordon Brown. No 10, which took a robust line at the meeting, angrily rejected the accusation last night: "This is nonsense – this government has given more access to the Prime Minister than any other previous government," said a spokesman.

Political journalists are frustrated by the PM's repeated use of "pool clips", where Mr Cameron makes a brief statement in front of a scenic backdrop and is untroubled by difficult questions.

One producer said that, prior to the meeting at No 10, the BBC political editor, Nick Robinson, had told Downing Street communications chiefs: "It's not our job to broadcast televised press releases!" Adam Boulton, political editor of Sky News, is also believed to be unhappy with No 10's approach.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/downing-street-hogs-the-remote-control-the-pms-use-of-tame-media-is-annoying-the-big-guns-at-sky-itn-and-the-bbc-8783680.html

[tjwmason]

1. Do they expect him to answer the difficult questions?

That's a bit harsh of them isn't it...

[T_i_B]

2. Sadly, this seems to be how politics is going

Not just the Prime Minister but all politicans are looking for the easy appearances where they won't be asked difficult questions. And to that end we see a lot more top-down control of politics by party leaderships.

[dipsydoodle]

3. We need more Paxmans

"Answer the question" and if the response to that is "no - I'll answer a different question" then tell the interviewee to fuck off live on TV.

[T_i_B]

4. One problem with that approach......

.....is that politicians will take one look, and decide not to appear, so you end up with a bunch of ignorant rent-a-gobs like James Delingpole and Katie Hopkins instead.