Paxman packs 'em in
05 Feb 2008
The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism was delighted to welcome Jeremy Paxman, presenter of BBC's Newsnight, to the Institute for the event: 'A Conversation with Jeremy Paxman' on 1 February 2008.Speaking to a packed audience, Jeremy answered questions and gave his thoughts on a number of issues covering the news media in the UK. Before BBC personality Jeremy Paxman could utter a word, those attending his Q&A session at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism were warned that everything would be off the record, and that the Chatham House rule applied. There followed a no-holds-barred exchange, with Paxman on form in his inimitable style. So suffice it to say that Paxman discussed his criticism of journalism schools; being a public figure; the Marks and Sparks pants issue; his infamous interviewing technique; the watchdog role of the media; and why journalists might be influential, but ultimately hold no real power. If you were interested in what his actual opinions were of these issues, you should have been there - if you could fit. The star of the Newsnight programme drew such a crowd that there were audience members standing in the back and sitting on the floor.
