Links I like 11.10.9

In praise of the Peak District – Living with rats Sheffield-based journalist Julian Dobson writes about one of England’s treasures, on the fringes of the Steel City. I got married in the Peak District when we lived in the north and will always have fond memories of the area. I enjoyed reading this piece over [...]

‘Andy Gray-gate’ highlights slack media practice

Andy Gray’s sacking today after another of his puerile outbursts (this time to colleague Charlotte Jackson last month, above) has taught him a harsh lesson. Someone of his experience should know that ‘private’ (as in off air) comments are still fair game if someone within earshot finds them offensive enough to share with the media. In fact, if you utter them in a room [...]

Links I like 11.01.08

‘Squalid truth behind the Sun’s murder reward’ – Media Guardian Roy Greenslade takes aim again at the tabloid press, and The Sun in particular, whose offer of a £50,000 reward to help catch Joanna Yeates’ killer is treated with cynicism. He should know; Greenslade was once a senior executive at the paper, when Kelvin MacKenzie (think ‘Freddie Star ate my hamster’, [...]

Social housing lacks ‘X Factor’ appeal

The Government’s proposed social housing reforms were published today, promising some of the most radical changes the sector has seen for a generation. Changes to the right to lifelong tenancies, the introduction of an ’Affordable Rent‘ model and the long-awaited reform of Council housing finance are all set out, and have been the source of debate amongst housing people in recent weeks. I have not gone [...]