‘Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading the newspapers,’ said the American writer Ben Hecht, ‘is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.’ This is as true of commentary as of news, and presents a Fleet Street commentator with a dilemma.
‘Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading the newspapers,’ said the American writer Ben Hecht, ‘is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.’ This is as true of commentary as of news, and presents a Fleet Street commentator with a dilemma. Useful commentary needs perspective. Perspective is gained by standing back. A good way to stand back is to wait until the hullabaloo has died down. But the end of the hullabaloo usually coincides with a story’s passing from the news, and from public interest.
It’s no good us columnists getting too precious and complaining about that. But when our indignation lingers after the fuss has subsided, we should notice and, perhaps, revisit.
I remain resentful on Carol Thatcher’s behalf at the bucket of media censure that was poured on her head when some insensitive remarks made privately in a BBC green room were sneaked into the press, and she was subsequently dropped from the One Show. That happened two years ago this week, but continues to niggle me. Twelve years ago this week came the dropping of Glenn Hoddle as the England football manager because, asked about his personal philosophical beliefs, he told an interviewer he believed in reincarnation according to how you had lived your life, and that disabled people were being punished for wrongs committed in a former life.
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