A change at the BBC for which I have mixed feelings, but in a good way. The change? Evan Davis is moving to the Today programme from his post as BBC Economics Editor.
Evan Davis is, to me, amongst the very best of the BBC’s editors. I enjoyed his pieces when he was ‘just’ the Newsnight Economics editor, and his move to the top Economics role at the BBC was entirely deserved. He is engaging to listen to, incisive in his analysis, presumes intelligence on the part of his listeners, but uses a language, examples and terminology that is accessible to all. I always look out for his reports: He is everything a journalist should be, and as the financial world experiences a historic period of uncertainty, his incisiveness will be missed. Stephanie Flanders knows she has big shoes to fill, but she’s got formidable experience: I look forward to seeing her approach.
But he’s going to become for a year at least, a presenter on the Radio 4 Today programme, a programme that has been a regular part of my day for many years. It’s the flagship news programme, and has a huge audience largely because the presenters are the very best at the BBC, with a wide range of issues to cover, and able to call on the worlds leading politicians. It’s a great step for Evan Davis to make, and hope that his wit and skills will be put to the test, despite the fascinating economics story he has to leave for his successor. I suspect the Chancellor, and even Prime Minister’s and Presidents will find Evan Davis a difficult and challenging interviewer, and that’s going to be a great gain for us the public!
Entries (RSS)
March 20th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
And he is a rampant homosexual too - what more could we ask? Personally I am looking forward to Evan on the Today programme. I feel he will add a bit of flair and camp attitude and that will certainly perk me up in the morning!
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
[...] You, however, should slap the director who’s telling you to do this, and seriously consider a move to radio (like that nice Evan Davis. I suspect they won’t ask you to do much of that sort of thing there. [...]