Ambitious, talented Ian Katz was for years effectively day-to-day editor of the print Guardian, responsible for everything from political news to sport and arts. The Newsnight he has run for the past four years has often been pleasantly eclectic. So why should Channel 4 contenders be quite so miffed that Katz – no true TV man apparently – should be the chosen successor to Jay Hunt as director of programmes?
The real point here is that Alex Mahon – C4’s new boss, once head of the very successful Shine independent production company – is perfectly qualified to be director of programmes herself. She has a keen creative edge, but she also doesn’t want to get spheres of influence confused.
Katz brings many things to the party, including hard news experience. He’ll be creative with a fresh eye. Mahon can guide if necessary, but will mostly be concerned with grittier issues – like the government’s continuing desire to move C4 to Birmingham.
Meanwhile, after James Harding’s departure as BBC head of news, there are many who see Katz’s loss as a severe talent drain. No crisis, in fact: there’s a strong line-up to take Harding’s place. But with the increasing problem of cuts and government-imposed targets to make life difficult, there is still a sense of gathering gloom.
Divided region - handle with care
When you write about Catalonia and its media, you get stacks of responses. But one message from Barcelona made me pause. “Do the people running Catalan TV and radio realise the harm they can do in a region where divisions often run down the middle of families, between husbands and wives, parents and children? Catalonia is split down the middle on independence but how, often within a household, do you cope with broadcasters calling one half of us Franco-lovers? It’s malignant and corrosive. It shatters love and friendship. And I thought local broadcasters were supposed to serve all of their listeners, not just factions.”
