Post by Teddy Bear on Nov 23, 2010 21:34:50 GMT
Who said the BBC was dumbing down? Katie Price set to guest edit Radio 4's Today show
By Jessica Satherley
Last updated at 9:18 PM on 23rd November 2010
It's probably fair to say that when Radio 4’s Today programme talks about Jordan, it’s focusing more on the Middle East than the glamour model.
So the decision to approach the former Page 3 girl to guest edit an edition of the BBC’s flagship news show has raised more than a few eyebrows.
The Corporation’s journalists fear that Jordan, who now prefers to be known as Katie Price, will trivialise the programme and alienate listeners.
Since 2003, Today has appointed five guest editors who come up with ideas for about a third to half of the content of a show for a day each between Christmas and New Year.
Usually they come on air for at least part of the edition. Previous guest editors on the show, broadcast from 6am to 9am on weekdays and 7am to 9am on Saturdays, have included P.D. James, Stephen Hawking and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
Sources close to Jordan, 32, have admitted she is interested in the idea.
Last night one experienced BBC journalist said approaching her was part of a ‘dumbing down’ mentality.
The journalist said: ‘It is showing a certain contempt for the audience. They are quite a high-brow lot.
‘What are they trying to say – “we are all hip and trendy”. It is part of this whole celebrity-chasing process that has been going on for ages.’
A Today spokesman said: ‘We haven’t finalised the line-up for this year yet.’
By Jessica Satherley
Last updated at 9:18 PM on 23rd November 2010
It's probably fair to say that when Radio 4’s Today programme talks about Jordan, it’s focusing more on the Middle East than the glamour model.
So the decision to approach the former Page 3 girl to guest edit an edition of the BBC’s flagship news show has raised more than a few eyebrows.
The Corporation’s journalists fear that Jordan, who now prefers to be known as Katie Price, will trivialise the programme and alienate listeners.
Since 2003, Today has appointed five guest editors who come up with ideas for about a third to half of the content of a show for a day each between Christmas and New Year.
Usually they come on air for at least part of the edition. Previous guest editors on the show, broadcast from 6am to 9am on weekdays and 7am to 9am on Saturdays, have included P.D. James, Stephen Hawking and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
Sources close to Jordan, 32, have admitted she is interested in the idea.
Last night one experienced BBC journalist said approaching her was part of a ‘dumbing down’ mentality.
The journalist said: ‘It is showing a certain contempt for the audience. They are quite a high-brow lot.
‘What are they trying to say – “we are all hip and trendy”. It is part of this whole celebrity-chasing process that has been going on for ages.’
A Today spokesman said: ‘We haven’t finalised the line-up for this year yet.’