There are always two disciplines in play when broadcasting tackles history: one is broadcasting, the other is history. And the needs of broadcasting usually come first, as they do, in David Elstein's opinion, in the earliest of the 2500 hours worth of programming the BBC is transmitting in memory
The BBC needs to make a principled shift of resources in its drama offerings; less than it has spent in recent years in disposing of surplus bureaucrats.
David Elstein vividly recalls Thatcher coming to the studio for a 'live', hour long interview, followed by two whiskies and a cheery rebuke that no one really cares about monetarism.
In which the critic reverses a bit of advice he gave the writer on trusting people, maybe not including our neighbours, and ponders the latest mass TV audience.
How is the new Director General of the BBC faring? Can he guide the institution out of crisis? A good first bold step would be to put the 'single voice' on trial, and go instead for plurality and flexibility.
Last week, David Elstein, chairman of the Broadcasting Policy Group and openDemocracy, criticised two key proposals on press regulation following the Leveson Report. Here is his piece, published with responses from Nigel Warner, author of the 'Life after Leveson' IPPR pamphlet, and Brian Cathcart,
