BBC: Whitney Houston funeral coverage ‘reflected the significant interest’ in her death

The BBC has issued a statement in response to complaints about the length of its live coverage of Whitney Houston’s funeral service.

The broadcaster reports that it received 118 complaints about its live coverage of the 3 and a half-hour service, which appeared on the BBC News channel.

Live coverage of the service began at 17:00 GMT and continued until just before 20:30 GMT, with the BBC continuing to report on the story afterwards.

In a statement, published by the BBC, the broadcaster said the coverage “reflected the significant interest in her sudden death as well as acknowledging the impact she had as a global recording artist”.

It acknowledged that “some people felt there was too much coverage” but said BBC One’s teatime bulletin, radio bulletins and other services had still given viewers “the best access to the day’s other news stories”.

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Journalisted Weekly: Valentine’s Day, Whitney Houston and Rangers FC

Journalisted is an independent, not-for-profit website built to make it easier for you, the public, to find out more about journalists and what they write about. It is run by the Media Standards Trust, a registered charity set up to foster high standards in news on behalf of the public, and funded by donations from charitable foundations. Each week Journalisted produces a summary of the most covered news stories, most active journalists and those topics falling off the news agenda, using its database of UK journalists and news sources.

Valentine’s Day, Whitney Houston and Rangers FC

for the week ending Sunday 19 February

• The newspapers loved Valentine’s Day this week
• Whitney Houston, Rangers FC and Dereck Chisora were covered lots
• Anglo-French entente, German Presidential resignation and Venezuelan opposition covered little

Covered Lots

• It was Valentine’s Day, 313 articles
• The singer Whitney Houston died aged 48, 254 articles
• Rangers FC went into administration, facing a tax bill of £75 million, 183 articles
• Boxer Dereck Chisora slapped opponent Vitali Klitschko ahead of their world title fight, and brawled with David Haye after it, 111 articles
• David Cameron stated his commitment to political union between Scotland and England, after talks with Alex Salmond, 104 articles

Covered Little

• Cameron and Sarkozy strike deal for joint military operations and could create up to 30,000 British jobs amid rising UK unemployment, 22 articles
• German president Christian Wulff, an ally of Chancellor Merkel, resigned, 22 articles
• Venezuelan opposition parties choose a single candidate, Henrique Capriles Radonski, to oppose President Hugh Chavez, 4 articles

Political ups and downs (top ten by number of articles)

• David Cameron, 488 articles (-17% on last week)
• George Osborne, 195 articles (+20% on last week)
• Andy Burnham, 179 articles (-11% on last week)
• Alex Salmond, 110 articles (+59% on last week)
• William Hague, 85 articles (-27% on last week
• Ed Miliband, 82 articles, (-51% on last week)
• Andrew Lansley, 79 articles (-45% on last week)
• Nick Clegg, 77 articles (-43% on last week)
• Ed Balls, 74 articles (+24% on last week
• Tony Blair, 69 articles (+31% on last week)

Celebrity vs Serious

• The new series of ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ hit TV screens, 179 articles, vs Rupert Murdoch flew into London to reassure staff at ‘The Sun’ and promise the launch of a Sunday edition, 89 articles
• The X Factor, not on television at the moment, 111 articles vs David Cameron considers minimum alcohol pricing amid alcohol crackdown, 35 articles
• Sean Penn supports Argentinian claims to the Falklands, 57 articles vs further riots in Greece amid austerity debates, 46 articles

Eurozone leaders (top ten by number of articles)

• Nicolas Sarkozy (France), 108 articles (+54% on last week)
• Angela Merkel (Germany), 77 articles (+10% on last week)
• Lucas Papademos (Greece), 58 articles (-45% on last week)
• Mario Monti (Italy), 37 articles (+131% on last week)
• Mark Rutte (The Netherlands), 6 articles (+20% on last week)
• Mariano Rajoy (Spain), 6 articles (-14% on last week)
• Enda Kenny (Ireland), 3 articles (-57% on last week)
• Elio di Rupo (Belgium), 1 article
• Jean-Claude Junker (Luxembourg), 1 article
• Pedro Passos Coelho (Portugal), 1 article (-75% on last week)

Who wrote a lot about… Iran

• Jennifer Lipman – 6 articles (The Jewish Chronicle)
• Kate Hodal – 6 articles (The Guardian)
• Lee Moran – 5 articles (MailOnline)

Long form journalism

• 3,991 words: ‘The heat after the storm’ by David James Smith, Sunday Times, 19 February 2012
• 3,628 words: ‘In the line of fire: Afghanistan’s IED experts’ by Stuart Webb, Telegraph, 17th February 2012
• 3,253 words: ‘When good deeds pay dividends’ by John-Paul Flintoff, CNBC Business, 16th February 2012

The Media Standards Trust, which runs journalisted, won the ‘One to Watch’ category at the Prospect Think Tank Awards

Hacked Off will be reporting live from the Leveson inquiry again next week via twitter @hackinginquiry and [hackinginquiry.org] (http://hackinginquiry.org)

Visit the Media Standards Trust’s Churnalism.com – a public service for distinguishing journalism from churnalism

Read the MST’s submission to parliament’s Joint Committee on Privacy and Injunctions and the House of Lords Communications Select Committee on investigative journalism

For the latest instalment of Tobias Grubbe, journalisted’s 18th century jobbing journalist, go to journalisted.com/tobias-grubbe

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A Guardian hotel? Publisher says it is ‘exploring options’

Guardian News and Media says it is “currently researching and exploring a range of options”, amid claims that it is thinking of developing a new hotel concept.

A post on the Washington-based Harry’s Place blog quoted a market research email which described the hotel idea as “an atmospheric place to unwind, broaden your mind and meet others”.

This would be much more than simply a place to stay and would offer an inspiring break for our guests.

The hotel would offer a diverse programme of activities and events including workshops, debates and classes featuring guest speakers, writers, artists, chefs and political commentators.

Or it could simply be a place to relax with others. A stay at the hotel would be a social experience with plenty of communal space. We are in the very early stages of forming this plan and your feedback will be valuable in helping us to shape it.

Guardian News and Media said in a statement today: “We are currently researching and exploring a range of options relating to our successful adult educational course – Masterclasses – and our travel offerings.”

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New York Times takes two wins at George Polk Awards

The George Polk Awards, run by Long Island University, announced the winners of its 63rd event today.

According to a release the New York Times won two of the 15 categories. The first, for military reporting, was awarded to CJ Chivers, and the second was the foreign reporting prize which went to Jeffrey Gettleman and Tyler Hicks for their “numerous exclusives and heart-wrenching photos of ethnic conflict, pillage, famine and piracy”.

It was also announced that Anthony Shadid, the New York Times foreign correspondent who died from an apparent asthma attack in Syria last week, will receive a posthumous award “for extraordinary valor for his work in the Middle East”.

Other winners include the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, the New Yorker and the Boston Globe.

“There was a strong field of contenders this year, especially in investigative work,” said John Darnton, curator of the George Polk Awards. “It was a big year for news with the Arab Spring and the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and reporters from many news organizations went behind the headlines to search for underlying causes and trends.”

The full list of winners can be found here.

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The top 10 most-read stories on Journalism.co.uk, 11-17 February

1. Seven ways the New York Times is using social media for deeper engagement
2. Times web app brings tablet newspaper experience to browser
3. BBC World Service to broadcast morning news conference
4. Thurlbeck: Murdoch would ditch the Sun
5. Sun condemns tabloid witch hunt as more journalists arrested
6. Murdoch: Sun on Sunday will launch ‘very soon’
7. Tommy Sheridan back in court over NoW damages battle
8. BBC World News apologises for programme funding breaches
9. Times digital subscribers continue to rise
10. App of the week: Banjo for finding the location of breaking news

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Samaritans to produce fact sheet for journalists on reporting suicide cases

A fact sheet for journalists, which will guide journalists on working with families after a suicide is to be produced later this year by Samaritans.

The charity is currently revising its media guidelines to include a section on new media and other issues raised in recent years.

Press and PR manager Sal Lalji told Journalism.co.uk that the fact sheet will act as a “guide for journalists on dealing with families in the aftermath of suicide”, and the charity’s media guidelines have been produced in partnership with the Irish Association of Suicidology.

She added that the charity has consulted with different family groups, journalists and other experts.

Generally we felt that over the last few years the media are coming to us more and more and we have built very good relationships with almost every national, and also regionally and [with] broadcast.

Everybody does seem to be more willing to come to us and talk to us about coverage of suicide and subjects in that nature, to get advice on the best way to report. As a result of that we’ve developed the advice and guidance we give out and decided it would be better to re-do the guidelines based on the learnings we’ve had over the past few years.

You can hear more from Sal in this week’s podcast along with advice for journalists reporting on suicide.

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Note to staff from News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch in full

The note from News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch to staff, which announces the due launch of the Sun on Sunday and the lifting of suspensions, in full:

Dear colleagues:

I’ve worked alongside you for 43 years to build The Sun into one of the world’s finest papers. It is a part of me and is one of our proudest achievements.  The Sun occupies a unique and important position within News Corporation.

I have immense respect for our heritage, your exceptional journalism and, above all, you, the talented women and men who work tirelessly every day to ensure our readers have access to such a trusted news source. I believe this newsroom is full of great journalists and I remain grateful for your superb work and for the stories you uncover to inform and protect the public. None more so than over the last three weeks.

My continuing respect makes this situation a source of great pain for me, as I know it is for each of you.

We will obey the law.  Illegal activities simply cannot and will not be tolerated – at any of our publications. Our Board of Directors, our management team and I take these issues very seriously.

Our independently chaired Management & Standards Committee, which operates outside of News International, has been instructed to cooperate with the police. We will turn over every piece of evidence we find — not just because we are obligated to but because it is the right thing to do.

We are doing everything we can to assist those who were arrested — all suspensions are hereby lifted until or whether charged and they are welcome to return to work. News Corporation will cover their legal expenses.  Everyone is innocent unless proven otherwise.

I made a commitment last summer that I would do everything I could to get to the bottom of our problems and make this Company an example to Fleet Street of ethical journalism. We will continue to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to protect legitimate journalistic privilege and sources, which I know are essential for all of you to do your jobs. But we cannot protect people who have paid public officials.

I am confident we can live by these commitments and still produce great journalism.

We will build on The Sun’s proud heritage by launching The Sun on Sunday very soon. Our duty is to expand one of the world’s most widely read newspapers and reach even more people than ever before.

Having a winning paper is the best answer to our critics.

I am even more determined to see The Sun continue to fight for its readers and its beliefs. I am staying with you all, in London, for the next several weeks to give you my unwavering support.

I am confident we will get through this together and emerge stronger.

Thank you,

Rupert Murdoch

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‘Fleet Street legend’ James Whitaker dies aged 71

One of the UK’s top royal-watchers, the former Daily Mirror royal correspondent James Whitaker, has died at the age of 71.

Whitaker became a leading authority on the British monarchy during his 40-year career, not just on the Mirror but also as a TV commentator on royal issues.

Mirror editor Richard Wallace said: “James was a true Fleet Street legend who became famous around the world as a Royal reporter. His colleagues often joked that at times he appeared grander than the royals themselves – which, of course, he loved.

“Despite the severity of his illness, he never complained or went in for self-pity, but insisted he had a life well lived. Our thoughts are with his loving family who – like us all – will miss him terribly.”

On Twitter, Daily Mirror columnist Tony Parsons said:

Goodbye and RIP James Whitaker: Daily Mirror Royalist, Diana watcher, Fleet Street legend and a man of boundless generosity and enthusiasm.

— Tony Parsons (@TonyParsonsUK) February 15, 2012

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Journalisted Weekly: Redknapp and Capello, Syria and Homs, and Leveson

Journalisted is an independent, not-for-profit website built to make it easier for you, the public, to find out more about journalists and what they write about. It is run by the Media Standards Trust, a registered charity set up to foster high standards in news on behalf of the public, and funded by donations from charitable foundations. Each week Journalisted produces a summary of the most covered news stories, most active journalists and those topics falling off the news agenda, using its database of UK journalists and news sources.

Redknapp and Capello, Syria and Homs, and Leveson

• Harry Redknapp, his acquittal and England management rumours lead the news
• Luis Suarez, Leveson Inquiry and Abu Qatada covered lots
• Romanian PM resignation, Russian protests and Turkmenistan elections covered little

Covered Lots

• Harry Redknapp walks free from court, acquitted of cheating the public revenue, and into speculation about managing the England football team, 464 articles – succeeding Fabio Capello, 462 articles
• The death toll rises as Syrian government forces bombard the city of Homs, 233 articles
• The Leveson Inquiry continues, hearing from witnesses including Mail editor Paul Dacre and recalled editors James Harding and Dominic Mohan, 190 articles
• Luis Suarez avoids shaking Patrice Evra’s hand, reigniting racism row, before apologising, 187 articles
• An immigration commission rules that radical cleric Abu Qatada can be released on bail, 143 articles

Covered Little

• Emil Boc resigns as Prime Minister of Romania following protests against austerity measures, 17 articles
• Mikhail Gorbachev criticises Vladimir Putin following protests and ahead of March presidential election, 6 articles
• Elections in Turkmenistan, with opposition candidates all praising the incumbent, 2 articles
• Brazilian journalist Mario Randolfo Marques Lopes and his girlfriend are kidnapped and killed, 1 article

Political ups and downs (top ten by number of articles)

• David Cameron: 588 articles (-7% on last week)
• Andy Burnham: 201 articles (+1446% on last week)
• Ed Miliband: 167 articles (+44% on last week)
• George Osborne: 163 articles (-14% on last week)
• Andrew Lansley: 143 articles (+134% on last week)
• Nick Clegg: 135 articles (-26% on last week
• William Hague: 117 articles (+3% on last week)
• Tony Blair: 100 articles (-4% on last week)
• Boris Johnson: 88 articles (-21% on last week)
• Theresa May: 87 articles (+26% on last week)

Celebrity vs Serious

• A busy week for Adele, who wins six Grammy Awards after controversial remarks by Karl Lagerfeld, 79 articles vs. the arrest of five Sun journalists and three others by Operation Elveden police, investigating bribery and corruption, 45 articles
• At the BAFTAs, Meryl Streep wins best actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, 61 articles vs. protest in Greece over austerity bill vote, 58 articles
• Jean Dujardin, meanwhile, takes the best actor award for his performance in ‘The Artist’, 29 articles vs. the ConservativeHome website comes out against proposed health reforms, 32 articles

Eurozone leaders (top ten by number of articles)

• Lucas Papademos (Greece): 105 articles (+125% on last week)
• Angela Merkel (Germany): 70 articles (-14% on last week)
• Nicolas Sarkozy (France): 70 articles (-35% on last week)
• Mario Monti (Italy): 16 articles (-20% on last week)
• Mariano Rajoy (Spain): 7 articles (-53% on last week)
• Enda Kenny (Ireland): 7 articles (-22% on last week)
• Mark Rutte (The Netherlands): 5 articles (+150% on last week)

Who wrote a lot about… Fabio Capello

• Matt Lawton – 9 articles (MailOnline)
• Oliver Kay – 9 articles (The Times)
• Sam Wallace – 7 articles (The Independent)

Long form journalism

• 4,446 words: ‘Suleiman Kerimov, the secret oligarch’ by Catherine Belton, Financial Times, 10 February 2012
• 4,140 words: ‘Seeing red’ by Mark Franchetti, The Sunday Times, 12th February 2012
• 3,888 words: ‘A class apart’ by Charles Murray, The Sunday Times, 12th February 201

The Media Standards Trust, which runs journalisted, won the ‘One to Watch’ category at the Prospect Think Tank Awards
Read the Hacked Off live blog on the Leveson inquiry and follow our Twitter feed @hackinginquiry.

Visit the Media Standards Trust’s Churnalism.com – a public service for distinguishing journalism from churnalism

Read the MST’s submission to parliament’s Joint Committee on Privacy and Injunctions and the House of Lords Communications Select Committee on investigative journalism

For the latest instalment of Tobias Grubbe, journalisted’s 18th century jobbing journalist, go to journalisted.com/tobias-grubbe

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Essex hyperlocal website teams up with Archant to launch magazine

A hyperlocal website in Essex has teamed up with regional newspaper publisher Archant to launch a print edition.

EverythingEppingForest.co.uk, which was founded in 2008 by local journalist David Jackman, will bring out the glossy monthly magazine from next month.

Printed by Archant, it will be delivered to 10,000 homes in the area and will include local community news and information, events and advertising.

In a statement published on the Everything Epping Forest website (not directly linkable – scroll down), Archant London commercial director Tony Little said: “We are delighted to have set up this partnership with David who is a much-respected local journalist, with important contacts in the local area.

“His success with Everything Epping Forest should be applauded and we are delighted to get involved with such a successful community-focused initiative.”

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