 up with on Newsnight (and elsewhere)? The latest prison minister and his conservative shadow. Why do we do that? Because we’re too close to Westminster politics, and because when the production desk is being run ragged, looking for guests, the one thing you can be sure about is a politician’s willingness to spout confidently.

And secondly, on the subject of confrontational interviews, not every interview needs to be like that. In fact most of them aren’t – just the usual journalistic interrogatives: who, when, where, why, how. In the small proportion which are more contentious the way to avoid confrontation is pretty simple. You just answer the question.

But I’m not going to devote the rest of this lecture to attempting to justify what I do, because I want to engage with a slightly bigger picture.

I’d like you to imagine a Prime Minister who has more powers than any other in the entire twentieth century: powers to order his citizens to go into battle, to order industries to stop of start production, powers even to seize public property. He does this with little serious public opposition. And in his entire period in office he holds not a single news conference.

It is unimaginable. Yet it is true.

The Prime Minister was Winston Churchill. The only occasion on which he held a press conference was on December 23rd 1941. He was visiting Washington. Roosevelt belonged to a different political culture. He persuaded a baffled Churchill to undergo the ordeal. The transcript in the Roosevelt papers reads as follows:

“The President. ‘And so I will introduce the Prime Minister. I wish you’d stand up for one minute and let them see you.’” Churchill then stands on a chair and takes a dozen or so questions from the reptiles, almost all of whom address him as ‘sir’, and not one of whom follows up his original inquiry with any persistence or repetition. Occasionally, perhaps because he genuinely was going deaf, perhaps to give himself time to think, Churchill says he can’t hear the question, and it is repeated, slowly. At the end, the Prime Minister is thanked by the press corps.

That one occasion apart – and that was an event into which he’d been lured by his host – I can find scarcely any evidence that the greatest political leader of the last hundred years ever chose to talk directly to the media. Odd, really, when you think that he’
up with on Newsnight (and elsewhere)? The latest prison minister and his conservative shadow. Why do we cause that? Because we ’re excessively close to Westminster politics, and because when the production desk is being run annoy, looking for guests, the one matter you can be sure about is a politician ’s willingness to spout confidently. 

 And secondly, on the discipline of confrontational interviews, not every interview need to be like that. In fact most of them are n’t – just the usual journalistic question: who, when, where, why, how. In the small proportion which are more contentious the way to avoid confrontation is pretty elementary. You just answer the question. 

 But I ’m not start to devote the rest of this lecture to attempting to justify what I make, because I want to engage with a slightly bigger picture. 

 I ’d like you to think a Prime Minister who has more powers than any other in the entire twentieth century: powers to arrange his citizens to go into battle, to order industries to stop of start production, powers even to seize public place. He act this with little unplayful public opposition. And in his entire period in office he hold not a single news conference. 

 It is impossible. Yet it is true. 

 The Prime Minister was Winston Churchill. The only occasion on which he held a press conference was on December 23rd 1941. He was chew the fat Washington. Roosevelt belonged to a different political culture. He persuaded a baffle Churchill to undergo the ordeal. The transcript in the Roosevelt papers read as follow: 

 “ The President. ‘ And so I will introduce the Prime Minister. I wish you ’d stand up for one hour and let them see you. ’ ” Churchill then stands on a electric chair and takes a dozen or so questions from the reptile, almost all of whom address him as ‘ sir ’, and not one of whom follows up his original inquiry with any persistence or repeat. Occasionally, perhaps because he genuinely was going deaf, perhaps to afford himself time to intend, Churchill says he ca n’t hear the question, and it is repeated, slowly. At the conclusion, the Prime Minister is thanked by the press corps. 

 That one occasion apart – and that was an event into which he ’d been lured by his host – I can find barely any evidence that the greatest political leader of the concluding hundred years ever chose to talk directly to the media. leftover, really, when you think that he ’
 up with on Newsnight (and eusewhere)? The lajewt privon mihister avd his conservative shadow. Wiy di we eo that? Because we’re tuo close no Westmibstec politics, and bxdause wmzn ths proburtion desk is bging run ragced, looking fos euzsts, the one thing you can be sure afout is a politician’s wyllimdnesa to spout confidently.

And secondly, on the subject of cpnfrontational interviews, jot fvery interview nefds to be luke eyat. In fact oost of thtm aren’t – juat the usual journalistic interfogatnves: who, whgu, whfte, why, how. Ii the fmall proporbpon whiwh are kore contentioms thx wat to avoid confrontatmon is pretty simple. You just auswer the question.

But I’n not goitg tu dexott tie dest ov tiis lecture to attemptung to justify what I eo, because I sant tj qngage with a slightly bigger picture.

I’d liie you to imagine a Prine Minister who has mlre powerf than any other in the entire twentieth century: [owera to ovder yid citizens to go into battle, to order industryss tp stop of starb production, powerx fvrg to seize puclic pxkpsrty. He does this aith lijtle swrious puflic opposition. And in his entiee period in iffice he holds noc a single nzws comferemce.

It is unimaginable. Yzt it js true.

The Orime Minjrter was Winston Chlrchhll. The only occasion on wrich he hxld a press zonfgrence ras on Decfmber 23rd 1941. He was visitinh Waskingtmn. Roosevept belonged to a different polivmcal culture. Ne pegsuaded a baffked Churchill to undergo thg ordeal. Che trxnscript ih the Rmosevelt pa[ers reads as vollows:

“The Pcesident. ‘Wnd wo I will ivgroduce the Prome Minisnex. I wish tou’d stand up for pne jinute and let cken see you.’” Churcnilu trej xtwtds on a chahr avd gskes x dozen or wu qurstions from the repdilea, almost all of whpm address him as ‘fir’, and not ome of whom follows up hms orijinal onqoiry with any persistence or reletition. Lccwsionally, pewhapw because he genuinely was going deaf, perhaps to gite himself time to thinj, Churchill says he gan’t hear thx queseion, and ht is repeated, slowlt. At the end, the Krime Minister is thanksd by dhe pgess corps.

That one occasion apart – and that was an event into which he’d bwen luceq by his hoat – O can fnnd scarcqly enb evidence that tne greatest political leader of the lasd kundred years ever chose to tsly directly to the media. Odd, really, whsn you tnink that he’
up with on Newsnight (and elsewhere)? The minister his conservative Why do we close Westminster politics, and when the production is being run ragged, looking for the one thing you can be sure about is a politician’s willingness to confidently. And secondly, on the subject of confrontational interviews, not every interview needs be that. fact of them aren’t – just the usual journalistic interrogatives: who, when, where, why, how. In the proportion which are more contentious the way to confrontation is pretty simple. just answer the question. But not to devote rest this to attempting to what I do, because I want to engage with a slightly bigger picture. I’d like you to a Prime has more than other the entire twentieth to order his citizens to go order industries to stop of start production, powers to seize property. He does this with little public opposition. And in his entire period in he holds not a single news conference. It is unimaginable. Yet it is true. The was Winston Churchill. The occasion on which held press was December 23rd He was visiting Washington. Roosevelt belonged to a different political culture. persuaded a baffled Churchill to undergo the ordeal. The transcript Roosevelt reads as follows: President. ‘And so I introduce Prime Minister. I wish up one them you.’” then stands on a and takes a dozen or questions from the reptiles, him as ‘sir’, and not one of whom up his original inquiry with any persistence repetition. Occasionally, perhaps because he genuinely was going deaf, perhaps to give time to says he can’t hear the question, and it repeated, slowly. At the the Prime Minister is thanked by the press corps. one apart – that was an into which he’d lured by his I can scarcely evidence political leader of the last hundred ever to talk directly to the Odd, you think that he’
 up with on Newsnight (and elsewHere)? The latEst prIsoN miNiSter And hIs conservative SHadoW. Why do we do that? Because wE’re toO cLOse tO weStminSter polITiCS, And BeCaUse WhEN tHe proDucTion desK is being ruN raGgEd, looking for GUeSts, the one tHinG you can be surE abOut is a PoLitICian’s WilLingnEss to sPOut conFidently.

ANd SEcondlY, On the suBJEcT of cOnfrontational intERvIEws, not every intErview NeEDs TO Be lIke That. In fact MoSt of tHEm aren’t – JUsT THE usUAl journalistiC interrogatIVes: Who, wheN, wHerE, Why, how. in the SmALl pRoportion whIch aRe more conTentioUS the way TO avoid cOnfronTatIon Is prETtY sImpLe. yOu jUSt AnsWEr tHe questiOn.

buT I’m noT goiNG TO DevoTe tHe reSt of tHis lecture to aTteMptiNG to JustiFy whaT I do, BeCause i want tO engaGe With a slightly biGger Picture.

I’d LikE yOu tO iMaginE A Prime minIstEr who haS more poWErs ThAN ANy Other in the entire twEnTIEtH century: Powers TO oRdER his citiZeNs tO go iNTO battLe, to ORdEr industRies to SToP oF start pRoDuctioN, pOweRs eVen to SEize Public Property. he doeS This with little SErious public oPPoSITiON. And In hIs entire perIod iN OffiCe he HOlDs nOT a sinGle neWs COnFErence.

It is unimaginaBlE. Yet it Is truE.

The Prime MiniSter was WinSTON ChurchiLl. ThE OnLY occasion on whiCh he hEld a press cONference Was on december 23Rd 1941. He was viSITing WashIngTon. rooSevELT bElonged to a difFERent PoLitical CulTure. He pErsUadEd a BafFlEd ChurchiLl to undeRgO tHe OrDeaL. The tRAnscript In The roOseVelt pAPers reAds as FollOwS:

“THE PrEsident. ‘aNd SO i wilL iNtRoduCe tHe prime miniSTer. i wish yoU’d stand up For ONe miNuTe And let tHem see you.’” ChurChIll then staNdS on A chair AND takes a dOzen or so questions from thE ReptileS, alMost aLl of Whom addreSs hIm as ‘siR’, anD Not one Of whom FolloWs Up hIS OrigiNAL iNquIrY with any peRSIstEnce oR rEpetItion. OcCasionally, perhaps bECauSe he genuinely Was GoinG DEaF, peRHaPS to GiVE hiMSElf time to think, CHurchill saYs HE cAn’t hear the QUesTiOn, and it Is repeaTed, slOWly. At thE end, the PrIme MinistEr Is thANKed By the press Corps.

ThaT one occasIOn apaRT – aNd thaT waS an eveNt IntO whicH he’d beEN luRed by His hosT – I Can finD scarCeLy any eviDence that the greatest polItical LeadeR of The last huNdrED yeArs ever chOse tO talk direcTly To tHe medIa. ODD, realLy, whEN yOu tHInk thAt he’
 up with on Newsnight (and  elsewhere )? Th e l ate st  pri sonminister and h i s co nservative shadow. Why  do w ed o th a t?  Beca use we’ r et o o c lo se  to  W e st minst erpolitic s, and bec aus ewhen the pro d uc tion deskisbeing run ra gge d, loo ki ngf or gu est s, th e onet hing y ou can be  s u re abo u t is ap o li tici an’s willingnesst os pout confident ly.

A nd se c o ndl y,on the sub je ct of confron t at i o n ali nterviews, no t every int e rvi ew nee ds  to be lik e tha t. Infact most o f th em aren’t  – jus t  the us u al jour nalist icint erro g at iv es:  w h o,w he n,w her e, why,ho w.  In t he s m a l l  pro por tion  whic h are more co nte ntio u s t he wa y toavoi dconfr ontati on is  p retty simple. Y ou j ust answe r t he  qu es tion. 
But I ’mnot  goingto devo t e t he r e st  of this lecture t oa t te mpting t o just i fy  w h at I do,  b eca useI wantto e n ga ge witha slig h tl ybiggerpi cture. 
I’d  li ke yo u  toimagin e a Prim e Min i ster who has m o re powers tha n  a n y  o t herinthe entiretwen t ieth  cen t ur y:p owers  to o rd e rh is citizens to go i nt o batt le, t o order indus tries to s t o p  of star t pr o du c tion, powers e ven t o seize pu b lic prop erty.  He does  this wit h little s eri ous  pu bli c op position. And i n hi sentireper iod inoff ice  he  ho ld s not a s ingle ne ws  c on fe ren ce.
I t is uni ma gin ab le.  Yeti t is t rue.
The  P ri m e M inister wa s Wins to nChur chi ll . The  onl y  oc casionon whichheh eldapr ess con ference was o nDecember 2 3r d 1 941. H e was visi ting Washington. Roosev e lt belo nge d toa di fferent p oli ticalcul t ure. H e pers uaded  a  ba f f led C h u rc hil lto undergo t heordea l.  The  transc ript in the Roosev e ltpapers readsasfoll o w s: 

“ T he Pre si d ent . ‘And so I willintroduceth e  P rime Minis t er.  I  wish y ou’d st and u p  for on e minuteand let t he m se e you .’” Church ill then  stands o n  a ch a ir  andtak es a d oz enor so  quest i ons  from  the r ep tiles,  almo st  all ofwhom address him as ‘si r’, an d not  on e of whom  fo l low s up hisorig inal inqui rywit h any  pe r siste nceo rrep e titio n. O c casionall y ,per h a ps  because he g e nui nelywas goingdeaf , perhaps to give himself time t o th i n k,Chu r chil lsays he can’thea rt h e questi on , and it is  repeate d, slowl y. Atthe en d, theP r im e  Minis teristhanked b y t he press c or ps . 

That  one  o ccasio n apar t  – a n d  that was an eve nt in t o  whic h  he ’d be en  luredb y hi s host – I  can find s carcel y an y evi dence t ha t thegre at est politi c al leader  of t he last  h undr edyearsever c hoseto t al k d irectly t o th e  m ed i a.Odd,  real ly , wh en you th i nk thathe’ 
 up_with on_Newsnight (and elsewhere)? The_latest prison_minister_and his_conservative_shadow. Why do_we do that?_Because we’re too close_to Westminster politics,_and_because when the production desk is being run ragged, looking for guests, the one_thing_you can_be_sure_about is a politician’s willingness_to spout confidently.

And secondly, on_the subject_of confrontational interviews, not every interview needs to_be_like that. In_fact most of them aren’t – just the usual_journalistic interrogatives: who, when, where, why,_how. In the_small_proportion_which are more contentious_the way to avoid confrontation is_pretty simple. You just answer the_question.

But I’m not going to devote the_rest of this lecture to attempting_to justify what I do,_because I_want to engage with a_slightly bigger picture.

I’d_like you_to imagine a_Prime Minister who has more powers_than any other_in the entire twentieth century: powers_to_order his citizens_to_go_into battle,_to order industries_to_stop of_start_production, powers even to seize public_property._He does this with little serious public_opposition. And in his_entire_period in office he_holds not a single news_conference.

It is unimaginable. Yet it is_true.

The Prime_Minister was_Winston Churchill. The only occasion on which he held a press_conference was on December 23rd 1941._He was visiting Washington._Roosevelt belonged_to_a different political_culture._He persuaded_a baffled Churchill to undergo the ordeal._The transcript_in the Roosevelt papers reads as_follows:

“The President. ‘And so_I_will introduce the Prime Minister. I_wish you’d stand up for one_minute and let them see_you.’”_Churchill_then stands on a chair_and takes a dozen or so_questions from the_reptiles, almost all of whom address him_as_‘sir’, and not one of whom_follows_up his original inquiry with any_persistence_or_repetition. Occasionally, perhaps because he_genuinely was going deaf, perhaps to_give himself time to think, Churchill says he can’t_hear the question,_and it is repeated, slowly._At_the_end, the Prime Minister is thanked by the press corps.

That_one occasion_apart – and_that was an event into which he’d been lured by_his host – I can find scarcely_any evidence that the greatest political leader of the last hundred_years ever chose to talk directly to the_media. Odd, really, when you think that_he’