BBC BREAKFAST TEAM SHOULD PLAY TO THEIR STRENGTHS?
Patronising or dumbing down the Prime Minister is not an edifying show to witness. But that is what BBC Breakfast produced when, on 15 November, Naga Munchetty conducted the first of a series of morning interviews with the leaders of the main political parties. The next day Quentin Letts in his political sketch column satirised the BBC Breakfast approach with a delightfully playful perspective: perhaps a bit harsh in places, but he certainly caught the flavour.
Naga Munchetty and her fellow Breakfast presenters are nice and cheerful to watch on topics of lighter interest and personal experiences (such as with war veterans earlier in the week). It is unreasonable to expect them also to punch with weight with serious leaders or on major issues of say politics, finance and many global themes. Interviewees on these topics will always be so much better informed. It is usually so evident that the limit of the team’s knowledge is contained on the briefing paper dictating their questions and so a wider- ranging response is flummoxing. That, combined with the single technique of repeating the same question over and over again, often ignoring the answers, is an inadequate level of sophistication.
Indeed, when frustrated that Boris Johnson did not agree with her view, Naga Munchetty tended to mutter her own view almost under her breath, barely but still audible. It seems likely Boris Johnson is not held in high regard by her, but that judgment should not influence her approach.
The objective of these interviews, it was explained, is for the public to find out more about in this case Boris Johnson, the person. The magic question was “Are you relatable?” The only answer with any humility was that the reply should be provided by others, the people he relates to. He gave that answer. That was not acceptable to her and the script was to be followed; and so, film of Boris Johnson with a mop cleaning up, it was implied inadequately, was shown to suggest the right answer!! Mildly amusing but a farce was developing on what I imagine Boris Johnson hoped was a serious chance to engage with the public.
Many people may well find the Breakfast team fun and good viewing, well presented and likeable. But they are not trained interrogators, not Paxman (thankfully) and not rottweilers (thankfully again). They should not try to be the clever “I am” whose ultimate measure of success is to catch the interviewee out. It would be an advance if the BBC let them stick to what they are good at. If the big issues of the day are to be addressed on this show through interrogation, perhaps someone can be employed for whom that is stock in trade, but it may not sit well with the rest of the content. Whatever happens, please, BBC ensure that all interviewees are treated with proper respect.
