Since I went up to Cambridge in 1968, BBC’s Today programme has been the invariable way the wireless has kickstarted my brain for the coming day (Has Today had its day? BBC’s flagship Radio 4 show grapples with podcast age, 13 March).
Complaints about content, structure and presenters have always accompanied its broadcasts, being simply signs of the programme’s importance – just as was the telephone call to the studio from Margaret Thatcher, when the prime minister wanted to make a point live on air. Yet even its old fans must admit that Today has recently lost its way in two important respects. (Assessing the personalities I will leave to others: I am still mourning the departure of Jack de Manio.)
Nearly every day there is at least one item on pop music, which is noisy, distracting and talked about as if listeners are both interested and knowledgeable on the subject. I listen to Today for news and serious discussion, not to hear unpleasant sounds readily available on other channels.
More serious is the frequent lack of balance in discussions. Having a pair of experts address a contentious subject when both the speakers hold very similar views is not a balanced discussion. On the contrary, it stifles diversity of thought and suggests that there is an “approved BBC line”. This is not what Today has always been about. These two problems could be corrected with ease. Then the assault of the podcasts would be readily rebuffed.
Francis Bown
London
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