'Beatles For Sale'

Hallelujah...Hallelujah...

I admit, these lyrics are from a different artist altogether; even so, the words mimic my reaction to the news that finally the Beatles are on iTunes!  Ever since owning my first iPod and iTunes library, I wanted to download Beatles albums.  I was rather confused and frustrated when I couldn’t find them – then realised it was the complexities of record labels that held the music back.

Not completely believing the reports of the Wall Street Journal, I opened my own iTunes account.  The sight that greeted my eyes was fantastic, a huge ‘The Beatles’ sign with all the available albums.  Thirteen studio albums, selling at £10.99, as well as a couple of double albums priced at £17.99; this previously desired back catalogue is now appearing rather expensive at £196.84.

Only £125 for the Beatles box set.  Hmm.  I better start saving.

Engagement Party

I know there will be many who do not care too much about Prince William and his personal affairs, and many who do not care about the royal family altogether.  However, the news of William’s engagement to Kate Middleton should, in my opinion, be celebrated. 

Yes, they exist in a completely different bubble, but it doesn’t mean they’re not human.  Having watched the live news coverage of Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997, it hit home what high expectations Prince William was to inherit. Two young boys, one my own age, and the other only two years older, stood waiting for their mother’s cortege.  They had to then publicly – viewed by millions worldwide, follow it, without any show of emotion.  It was their beloved mother, and yet everyone else was able to cry, whilst all they could do was hang their heads.

It was then passed onto a 15 year old, who had so many of Diana’s looks, to carry on causes which she had supported.  If he was to have any kind of ‘normal’ childhood before this tragic event, it was unlikely he’d get it after it.  Still, he managed to complete his education, whilst remaining a public figure (unlike most celebrities, who propel themselves into the public eye, and then complain of the attention).  He even partook in ‘normal’ activities – taking a gap year before university.  It wasn’t much of a surprise that adjusting to university life was quite hard for Prince William, and I’m sure meeting Kate helped him to carry on his studies when he wanted to give them up.  I hardly think William’s career depended on gaining a degree – it’s generally who you know, and he knows rather influential people.

William has also been well aware of his parent’s unhappy marriage, which often has a negative effect on someone.  However, he managed to find himself a companion that wasn’t of royal or aristocratic kind (although still from a rich family) who obviously made him happy.  Their engagement, after at least 8 years together, shows they haven’t rushed into anything to please anyone but themselves.  I hope they enjoy a happy marriage, because there is no reason they shouldn’t.

The role of the royal family within modern society is debated, often seen as outdated and irrelevant.  I wouldn’t deny I’m not keen on my taxes paying for corgi food, but at the same time, I see the culture and history continued by the monarchy.  So many people from other countries are, dare I say, jealous of our royal family and history, and I feel quite proud.  I don’t think a trip to London would be as special, if you weren’t looking for The Queen’s flag flying at Buckingham Palace, wondering if she was inside having a cuppa.

A Royal Wedding

Prince William is to marry his long-term girlfriend, Kate Middleton, next spring or summer, in London.

The announcement came from Clarence House today, saying the couple, both 28, had become engaged in October during their holiday in Kenya.  The young prince has informed The Queen and other close family members, and has sought the permission of Miss Middleton's father.  The Prince of Wales is said to be 'delighted' at the engagement. 

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I am delighted to hear this wonderful news. I am sure the whole country will join Samantha and me in wishing them great joy in their life together.”

Prince William met Kate Middleton whilst studying at St Andrews in 2001.  They were originally studying art history together, but William later changed to geography.  Miss Middleton is said to have helped William continue his degree when he encountered problems in adjusting to university life. 

Their relationship was made public in 2005, when photographers captured the pair kissing on a skiing holiday.  Following a brief split in 2007, the pair have been together since.  Miss Middleton has no royal or aristocratic family connections, and her family are self-made millionaires.

After the wedding, the couple will live in north Wales, where William is currently serving with the RAF.

No Longer a Roaring Tiger

The Irish Republic has denied that it needs to be bailed out by the EU, although they admit to having talks with “international colleagues”.

The government has said that it doesn’t want help from Brussels, and that it has enough money to last until next summer.  However, creditors see Ireland as having a bad credit rating and are trying to force them towards the handout.  Other countries too are considering how the Euro may be affected if Ireland doesn’t accept the bail-out.  If they accept the assistance, it will give a sense of certainty, easing the worries of some EU officials.  Portugal has urged Ireland to think of the EU’s interests as well as their own.

At the same time, it can be suggested that the pride of Ireland will be tainted if they take money from the International Monetary Fund.  It could also bring into question the independence of Ireland financially. Having enjoyed a booming economy (named the Celtic Tiger) based on investment, low interest rates and easy lending; Ireland, once one of the poorest EU countries, became one of the richest.  Now facing the great deficit as a result of the boom/bust, the country doesn't want to go backwards and want to build their own recovery, without looking elsewhere for assistance.

The Irish government will introduce greater cuts by 2014, with many jobs being lost and higher taxes; many fear it will deepen the recession instead of help resolve it. There need to be cuts, but the problem is that the Irish people have to pay for the mistakes of those in higher positions.    

If a bail-out is requested by Dublin, the Irish people are not the only ones who will then suffer.  It is reported that the Irish Republic will need £70bn, and for Britain’s tax payers it would cost at least £7bn.  However, if the Irish are not helped, it could lead to further problems – Portugal and Spain may follow in their requests for help, straining EU finances.

Introduction to Media - Feature Exercise

Identifying types of features from ‘Surrey Life’.

Profile: ‘Shane Filan’- Shane Filan p56, ‘The Max Factor’ – Max Clifford p74, ‘Curioser and curioser...’ – local Lewis Carroll highlights p41

Response: competition p86, ‘Your views’ – letters p11, ‘Q&A Meet the Estate Agent’ – tips on lettings p13, ‘At Home in Surrey’ – property advice p12, ‘Strawberry fields forever’ – recipe p134

Confessional interviews: ‘Living the dream’ – moving out of London p78, ‘My Surrey Weekend’ – what a weekend looks like for Mandy Morrow p146

Reviews: ‘Top Summer Pubs’ – Pub review p67

Media Law - Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Statue – requires all public funded bodies (not private)

-          Must publish documentation on demand

-          Must publish the schedule of information they have

-          Must give in a reasonable time (approx within 20 days to reply to the initial request)

National security matter won’t be digressed, neither will military.

The Business of Freedom

A key figure, Matt Davis has made FOI his business.  He runs a news agency DataNews, which relies alone on FOI researches.

In a press conference attended by the Press Gazette in February 2009, Davis suggested that the BBC would suffer cuts due to their spending being released.   When the accommodation for the world cup in Germany was made public - £1.6m, a small fortune; or the Christmas party in 2007, at £50 a head (with a total bill of £250,000), it’s more than obvious that someone was going to be unhappy that their license fee was spent in that way.  Davis credits the FOI Act for lowering the Christmas party to £25 a head the following year.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the BBC tried to fight FOI and initially it seems they did, refusing requests on the exemption of ‘journalistic, artistic or literature’ reasons.  However, they finally embraced the idea, setting up a specific team to deal with the questions.

FOI Requests

-          Has to be simple

-          Write to the council, to the information officer of whatever body you wish to contact

Although the law has meant much wider access to information, there can be delays in requests.  The government can refuse or delay requests if it is best for them.  Be sure to simplify the request of information, so it can’t be deemed too expensive to find out the information.  It can also take time to be given the information you’re trying to find out, so planning ahead is best.  Even though FOI does reap its rewards, Jeremy Hayes suggests that costs and time limits could lower the amount of research by newsrooms.   

Does the public really need to know?

I must be honest; I don’t like being kept out of the loop.  If something is worth knowing, I want to know it and I appreciate that FOI has brought things to light that the public should know.  For instance, I would want to know the MP expenses scandal.  If an MP claims for a second house that’s 100 miles from their constituency or claims for lightbulb replacement, it’s in the public interest that these ones should not go unnoticed.  As a result of publicising the expenses (through the original FOI requests made in 2005 by The Sunday Telegraph), MPs will have to closely watch their claims, knowing they cannot claim for mole control; which in turn tightens government spending.

Even so, there are SOME things I don’t particularly want to know.  I believe the Blue Peter Garden - the untouchable haven for those growing up watching the programme, doesn’t need its leaky dyke to be made public; it’s not its fault after all.

Media Law - Confidentiality

Official Secrets Act
The Official Secrets Act 1911 and 1989 enforce national security surrounding the UK State or Crown. They place the duty of confidentiality upon employees where work is sensitive. In part this legislation was designed to punish spies who betrayed UK intelligence, but in later years it has applied to those who give away sensitive information to journalists. Usually the person leaking the information can be prosecuted by the Crown, however, if the journalist is seen as an accomplice, he too can be prosecuted. At the same time, a Crown employee who doesn’t give information to journalists deliberately, but leaves it where it can be found or accessed, they can be punished.

In 1998, a journalist was arrested and charged over the 1984 OSA. After publishing his book The Irish War, Tony Geraghty, once the Sunday Times defence correspondent, had published The Irish War, in which he disclosed computerised surveillance in Northern Ireland by intelligence agencies. It took a whole year before the charges were dropped.


The Right to Privacy
It wasn’t until the Human Rights Act 1998 came into place that English law acknowledge the right to privacy. Under Section 8, it guarantees the right to privacy. Even so, more importantly for journalists; when courts are considering injunctions, Section 12 requires ‘particular regard’ for them to recognise freedom of expression covered in Article 10.


Breach of ConfidenceThe law of breach of confidence makes sure that information acquired when given in confidence, cannot be published.

To breach confidence, according to Mr Justice Megarry there are three elements;
- The information must have ‘the necessary quality of confidence’
- The information must have been imparted in circumstances imposing an obligation of confidence
- There must be an unauthorised use of that information to the detriment of the party communicating it


Injunctions
If a person has confided information to a journalist, and they find out that it is going to be published, they can try to get a temporary injunction that prohibits the publication of the confidential information.

In 1984, Southern Evening Echo in Southampton was presented with an injunction from Medina Borough Council, on the Isle of Wight. It stopped the paper from reporting on development plans in Newport, the capital. On arrival of the Hovercraft, the injunction was given which meant that the papers could not be distributed. A new edition had to be distributed to the island.

If an injunction is in place at one newspaper and another in England or Wales learns of the information, they can be in contempt of court if they publish it. This was held in the Court of Appeal in 1987.