Charles Kennedy and ITV so-called 'news'

[brachiopod]

I don't normally watch this, but happened to leave it on for the headlines.

Is it just me or was there something unbelievable about ITV News' bragging about how they forced Charles Kennedy to admit his drink problem?

It was all 'exclusive' this, and 'ITV investigators' that. How 'our leading reporter' forced Kennedy to admit his problem' under threat of 'breaking the news on the 5.30 bulletin'. And they were proud of it !!

Now, if it was a politician involved in corruption, scandal or some other illegal act, then fair enough.

But here was ITV bragging like they've got Woodward and Bernstein on their staff, and have just broken the story of the century.

Despicable.

[Drisgirl]

Its been an open secret he has a drink problem.

He has gone up in my estimations by admitting he is a mere mortal and has human failings.He is at least attempting to deal with his demons.

Never a truer saying - people in glass houses etc.

NofW will now have a field day with the pious critics as I have no doubt they have dossiers on most politicians.

I admire the mans humility in dealing with the utter contept for him and his family in the manner in which they exposed this.

[LazyGun]

Did not see the specific broadcast, but I suspect that ITV may have felt a little aggrieved that CK had stolen their thunder to a degree by calling the press conference and announcing his "problem" as he did.

[city_girluk]

I'm with you brachiopod. The look on the reporter's face as she was presenting her piece - like the cat that got the cream. I wonder how she would feel if she had been forced to admit to something - 'or else'.

I'm not into politics in the slightest, but I suppose I can understand the concerns amongst the party members as to the reliability of their leader because of his problem, but forcing him to make it public in this way isn't really on. Good for him that he did it, though I imagine it was through gritted teeth.

Was he getting help, in private? If so, this makes this 'exclusive story' even worse.

[Robert G]

I fear, Drisgirl, that the man's admission and humility, etc, has come too late, for it seems that in the past he deceived, or attempted to deceive those around him, and trust in the party leader is paramount. Can he regain that trust now?

Quite so, LazyGun. ITV were going to put out their programme one way or the other.

I'd love to see some of the press and television media's overpaid cleverdicks have a go at politics and be publicly accountable, and then we'd see how they fared.

[brachiopod]

As I understand it, he had already sought help, city_girl, and hadn't had a drink for 2 (or was it 3?) months.

The crux of the 'exclusive' hinged around the fact that ITV had found out that Kennedy had admitted many months ago to senior Party officials that he had a problem and was addressing it.

Makes it even less of a story, really. I hope Charles comes out of this with his head held high.

[brachiopod]

Good point about the deceit aspect, Robert G.

Although, almost by definition, a politicians complete life, private or otherwise, is open to scrutiny, you can't help thinking that this is really a private matter - different to a charge of say corruption, or even sexual scandal (which you could argue is a private matter too)

I too would love to see the smile wiped off those smug journolists' faces.

[shaneystar2]

Dreadful....the media will do anything for a story.I like Charles Kennedy and he is to be admired for admitting he has a problem with his drinking and is trying his best to overcome these problems. He not the only politician to have had this problem..Winston Churchill was well known for being fond of a drink and Lloyd George was a renowned drinker ....yet Adolf Hitler was a teetollar: CK may like a drink but he hasn't lied through his teeth to the electorate about important political issues .

[Drisgirl]

He will come out with his head held high brachiopod - I have no doubt

If I Robert, as just a layman knew he had a drink problem then he absolutely did not deceive his party.

You cant trust any politician as they are in it for themselves.Funnily enough along with Gordon Brown I trust Charles Kennedys integrity above the majority of all others.

His party without any shadow of a doubt down to the last person knew what was going on and obviously have supported his fight.

All the very best to a very decent politician.He deserves the support of the British public regardless of anyones allegiance and I sincerely hope this backfire on ITV.

[city_girluk]

If he had told the relevant people in his party and was trying to do something about his problem, then this threatening behaviour by ITV really was uncalled for. Sure, it could be said that the public need to know, but why the bully-boy tactics? And then to gloat over it too.

[sp1814]

It would also dissuade others in the public eye with addictions from seeking help.

Newspapers do this all the time...they force someone's hand with the line, "Look - we know you do this, or that - why don't you give us the story and we'll give it a positive rather than negative spin".

[Drisgirl]

I defy anyone to say they did not feel some sympathy or empathy with the man today as decent human beings.

I am so glad that everyone seems to be singing from the the same songsheet and the media hopefully will get roasted for thisOpinion polls already are almost 70-80% behind CK.

I was compelled to post on this but I could never have put it so succinctly and articulately as brachiopod..

[brachiopod]

Hardly articulate, Dris ! More of blustering anger and trying to put some thoughts down!

It's not the subject matter, just the way it was done and the smug style of reporting. (Some of you may remember I get annoyed with poor standards of reporting and sensationalised accounts in television news - if I wanted that I'd buy a red-top (tabloid) or move to the US.)

Anyway - now have your say;

http://www.itn.co.uk/contact/

click on the [email protected] e-mail address.

[sp1814]

Something that the journalists involved didn't factor in, is that even if you don't necessarily agree with his politocs, CK is generally well-liked by the public.

People don't like to see good guys get an unnecessary kicking.

[sp1814]

or rather - 'politics'

[brachiopod]

I quite like the word 'politocs', sp !!

Can we use that from now on?

[gary baldy]

Journalists are f******g hypocrites. They are the biggest alkies of them all.
Kennedy has gone up in my estimation because of this and generally the British public respect honesty (especially in politicians).

[Drisgirl]

Done and dusted brachiopod.

I wasnt being sycophantic - you said exactly what I felt.I probably would have had a rant and would have been castigated for that rather than the matter in hand!!

[Drusilla]

As an aside, ITV 24 hour news has recently stopped broadcasting because it could not compete with SKY, the BBC or CNN and frankly, after their drooling report about Charles Kennedy I am not surprised they've gone.

Journalism today seems to be a lazy and cowardly profession more concerned with titillating sound bites than investigative and thought provoking inquiry.

It's surely the one profession that makes politicians look like honourable men.

[surfer mike]

Yeah despicable but in keeping with the cynical and blatant tabloidisation of the tv news.

ITN in particular has drifted towards daily mail populism for a few years now, sad their treatment of kennedy.

But nice to see him outflank all those ''unnamed sources'' cowards, by coming out and admitting his problem.

But having said this i think kennedy for the good of himself and his family should step out of front line politics, its not worth the hassle in the long run.

And he can do it with his head held high.

[Drisgirl]

Just heard Nicholas Owen summarising the Lunchtime News.

Boy do they have it in for Charles Kennedy - more vitriolic than I have ever heard.

You would think he was a mass murderer.

They know they have shot themselves in the foot and are backed into a corner.Hell mend them.

This Morning have just announced viewers poll and 91% are backing him.I think he has the backing of the vast majority.Best of luck to him.