New year, new cheer for Duncan What a difference a year makes. Last year's wind-blown Oxford Media Convention marked the beginning of Channel 4's annus horribilis. Monkey fans will remember the sight of a polo-shirted, tired-looking Andy Duncan fielding questions about racism in Celebrity Big Brother. This year Andy, above, was sporting a smart suit and pinstripe shirt and on much better form. The biggest laugh of the day came after he introduced himself saying, "It's a pleasure to be back here in Oxford. I had such a good time last year."
Byron's session a Tearaway success One of the best sessions at the Oxford Media Convention was Dr Tanya Byron's one. You know her, the one who was on House of Tiny Tearaways. Dr Tanya has been asked by Gordon Brown to carry out a thorough review of how children are affected by video games, the internet and all the other things the Daily Mail hates. She's halfway through the review and more than 350 children have contacted her to give evidence. One of the sweetest messages came from a nine-year-old boy: "I'm worried I'll get lost on the internet and find I've suddenly got a job in the army or something."
New minister, new media The day's most unlikely quote of the day came from culture secretary James Purnell - after a question from a journalist, he piped up, "Ooh, Bill and I are Facebook friends." Not something you can imagine his predecessor, Tessa Jowell, saying.
