Radio 4’s Today presenter Nick Robinson revealed to City Radio he “would absolutely not” have joined Oxford University Conservative Association if he knew he’s be a political broadcaster.
Robinson believes that it has “dogged” him throughout his career.
He adds that it’s an “on the record evidence of partiality and I’m in a job that requires legal impartiality.”
However, he’s stated that it was crucial to why he was recruited to the BBC.
BBC Return
“I knew a lot about politics being a student political leader and it meant that when I applied for jobs at the beginning, I did know a lot about politics.
“Being a broadcaster in the UK means committing to impartiality,” he continues.
“It doesn’t mean you’re born impartial and without opinions – everyone has opinions and background which shapes your attitude.
“I leave all of that at the door.”
The Broadcaster believes that you’ve got to ask tough questions to both sides.
“Once you make this decision, it’s a lot easier than you think – provided you are constantly aware of your hidden prejudices.”
“I’d ask her if she was 56 – and not 16”
The 55-year-old believes male journalists should “always be conscious about the way in which you appear” to female colleagues as well as interviewees.
He touches on his interview with 16 year-old climate change activist, Greta Thunberg.
Robinson says there was “a great danger that a 55-year-old bloke, no matter what he says, can appear patronising.”
“I made a conscious decision to plan the interview, beginning with the same questions I’d ask her if she was 56 – and not 16.
Nick Robinson at Parliament Courtesy of Flickr: Lee Nichols
One of the biggest lessons of the current political climate for Robinson has been to be careful of giving anyone a “free pass.”
“There have been a series of politicians, from smaller parties, who are charismatic deliverers of very good soundbites – for example the likes of Alex Salmond or Nigel Farage.”
Furthermore, Robinson argues that the process of putting together TV packages often involves short soundbites from fringe parties.
“Say what they like – unchallenged.”
“For the people who know how to use the media, this was a gift; it’s a 15 second video press release. In which they can pretty much say what they like – unchallenged.”
“Today’s minority representative may become a huge player and they should be tested just as rigorously as anyone else.”
“I did exactly that with a well-known exchange with Nigel Farage. When he was standing in front of a giant poster warning people that foreigners are taking British people’s jobs.
“I therefore questioned why he employed his German wife to work for him and he laughed it off.
“I then told him he’s always trying to make a joke out of everything. It was heavily shared on facebook.”
Despite this, what is his biggest lesson he’s learnt over the past decade?
“Don’t let these people just say what they like.”
Hear the full interview with Nick Robinson on City Radio.
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HeadlineNick Robinson on regretting joining the Young Tories
Short HeadlineNick Robinson: 'I should have never joined the Young Tories'
StandfirstFormer BBC political editor reflects on his career and his former Tory links.
Radio 4’s Today presenter Nick Robinson revealed to City Radio he “would absolutely not” have joined Oxford University Conservative Association if he knew he’s be a political broadcaster.
Robinson believes that it has “dogged” him throughout his career.
He adds that it’s an “on the record evidence of partiality and I’m in a job that requires legal impartiality.”
However, he’s stated that it was crucial to why he was recruited to the BBC.
BBC Return
“I knew a lot about politics being a student political leader and it meant that when I applied for jobs at the beginning, I did know a lot about politics.
“Being a broadcaster in the UK means committing to impartiality,” he continues.
“It doesn’t mean you’re born impartial and without opinions – everyone has opinions and background which shapes your attitude.
“I leave all of that at the door.”
The Broadcaster believes that you’ve got to ask tough questions to both sides.
“Once you make this decision, it’s a lot easier than you think – provided you are constantly aware of your hidden prejudices.”
“I’d ask her if she was 56 – and not 16”
The 55-year-old believes male journalists should “always be conscious about the way in which you appear” to female colleagues as well as interviewees.
He touches on his interview with 16 year-old climate change activist, Greta Thunberg.
Robinson says there was “a great danger that a 55-year-old bloke, no matter what he says, can appear patronising.”
“I made a conscious decision to plan the interview, beginning with the same questions I’d ask her if she was 56 – and not 16.
Nick Robinson at Parliament Courtesy of Flickr: Lee Nichols
One of the biggest lessons of the current political climate for Robinson has been to be careful of giving anyone a “free pass.”
“There have been a series of politicians, from smaller parties, who are charismatic deliverers of very good soundbites – for example the likes of Alex Salmond or Nigel Farage.”
Furthermore, Robinson argues that the process of putting together TV packages often involves short soundbites from fringe parties.
“Say what they like – unchallenged.”
“For the people who know how to use the media, this was a gift; it’s a 15 second video press release. In which they can pretty much say what they like – unchallenged.”
“Today’s minority representative may become a huge player and they should be tested just as rigorously as anyone else.”
“I did exactly that with a well-known exchange with Nigel Farage. When he was standing in front of a giant poster warning people that foreigners are taking British people’s jobs.
“I therefore questioned why he employed his German wife to work for him and he laughed it off.
“I then told him he’s always trying to make a joke out of everything. It was heavily shared on facebook.”
Despite this, what is his biggest lesson he’s learnt over the past decade?
“Don’t let these people just say what they like.”
Hear the full interview with Nick Robinson on City Radio.
