The Wardman Wire

This week I have combined the Britblog Roundup no. 161 and the audio podcast, since I have stepped into the breach at the last minute. Here is the podcast. Rather than leaving an extra item on the end this week, I’ve included Chris Vallance’s interview with the editor of the Spy Blog looking at how difficult it is for bloggers to remain anonymous.

Here’s the podcast. Have a listen while you read the roundup.

JEEcamp

Last week I went to a meetup called JEECamp , which describes itself thus:

JEEcamp is an opportunity for a range of people to get together to talk about how on earth journalists and publishers can make a living from journalism in the era of free information, what the challenges are, and what we’ve learned so far.

It is also an opportunity for people with different skills and experiences to network, share those experiences, and perhaps suggest partnerships or new projects.

There were a wide range of journalists and self-publishers present, and a number of new projects were presented. There is a segment about JEEcamp at the start of the Britblog podcast, and I will be posting some more reflections later today or this evening.

The website I mention is myfootballwriter.com, run by Rick Waghorn.

Simulcast what? How we do the Britblog now.

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago the Pods and Blogs programme was reorganised to make it shorter and sweeter (so to speak). You can find the details on the Pods and Blogs blog.

The Britblog Roundup segment has been changed from “recording a phone call” to “making a simulcast”. The difference is that there is still a phone conversation, but that separate recordings are made of both halves of the conversation at a higher quality level, and then edited into a single conversation later. In this case, you can hear me “popping” my microphone once or twice.

For the full Pods and Blogs Podcast to download and the Shownotes, visit Chris Vallance’s site. The Podcast Feed is here. It really is very well done, and should be on anybody’s subscription (not just a plug - I mean it).

Civil Serf and Blogger Anonymity

The big story this week. A blogging Civil Servant has withdrawn her snarky and possibly confidentiality-rules breaking blog after it came to the attention of the Sunday papers.

First of all, Chris Vallance’s interview with the editor of the Spy Blog looking at how difficult it is for bloggers to remain anonymous.

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Then a couple of links:

• Simon Dickson from the Puffbox PR Consultancy has grabbed the vacated web address, and provided a potted history of the affair. Kudos for your nimbleness, Simon.
• Aside from the rumpus, the most notable feature has been - and this may be the first time it has happened - the use by Tom Watson MP (and Cabinet Office Minister) of his blog to launch an impromptu consultation about how (and if) Civil Service bloggers should be regulated.

Pugh throws a Barney

An outrageous story that has broken over the weekend, which demands editorial comment (sorry if you don’t like that).

Gary Pugh, Scotland Yard’s DNA Database Supremo is arguing that we should be screening children into normal sheep and potentially criminal goats from between the ages of 5 and 7. Disgusting.

For my money, this policy displays a level of consideration worthy only of a Trumpton puppet, and Mr Pugh deserves demotion to be a Toy Fireman in Childrens’ Television (minus pension, and after dismissal for Gross Misconduct for poisoning the values of the Police Service). That way at least he can give enjoyment to Primary School children rather than trying to place a permanent stain on the lives of some of them before they may have even learned to read. In my opinion this is a vile proposal, which deserves to be given an immediate, deep and contemptuous burial.

There has been coverage from various sources. I don’t think I have seen any positive coverage, apart from Johann Hari who suggests that the solution is to have all new babies entered into a national DNA database. Personally, I would rather emigrate than condone such a policy.

Thankfully the Association of Chief Police Officers has “distanced itself” from Pugh’s comments, but the idea that this proposal could be seriously considered by even a single senior policeman makes me shudder.

Some blog coverage:

Spy Blog has a summary and roundup of the current story, which includes an account of past use and abuse of the DNA database.

Mr Eugenides has a clear view:

Anyway, where do you draw the line? If you’re identifying the “biggest threats to society”, are there any factors that you don’t feel comfortable using to pre-screen children? Why don’t we just put all black people on the database, Gary? What’s that? You’re already doing that? Well, isn’t that nice. How inclusive of you. No second-class citizens here.

Tim Worstall is most succinct, under the headline “Splutter”:

Come on guys, Minority Report was a dystopian vision, not an operating manual.

and Alix Mortimer writes on Lib Dem Voice:

Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes then (In 2005) acknowledged the dangers of criminalising children and said:

I don’t think you can tell whether a three-year-old is likely to become a criminal.

Wonder what she’ll say this time?

And a Cooks Tour of Other Stories

• My London, Your London has a review of Brilliant Women at the National Portrait Gallery.
• Devil’s Kitchen has an hilarious take on the life-experience required to be a politician - especially a Green one keen on composting.
• Southall Black Sisters has been under threat due to a withdrawal of Council Funding. Womensphere has an update.
• Leonie Kate has an account of fitting two weekends of activity into one.
• Unmitigated England has a tale of a strange pub name.
• Graham Harvey blogs about Local Food, Tesco and independent Garages.
• Paul Flynn MP is celebrating the first birthday of his blog
• The Early Modern Whale has a post entitled “Giant Noah and fossil teeth“. I leave you to investigate.
• Back to the Devil, who stabs Ed Balls in the front. If you read this one at work, I will not be responsible for the consequences. The kindest comparison is with Grima Wormtongue.
• Norman Geras opines on the Significance of the Apostrophe in International Law.
• Lord Bonkers is writing his Diary.
• The Political Animals are being a touch sceptical.
• Lenin’s Tomb has a photo-report of the 5th annual “Troops Home” demo.
• Mr E is back with the Seven Deadly Sins.
• Mike Power reflects on the death of Chief Constable Mike Todd.
• Barkingside 21 is interested in pigeons.
• Miss Prism goes into poetry.
• Tom Papworth asks Why Freedom Matters?
• And finally the Diamond Geezer writes about how to get a Free Blue Badge Guide in London.

And it’s nearly breakfast time, so that - said Matt - is that.

Tags: britblog roundup, britblog, audio, podcast, bbc pods and blogs, bbc podsandblogs, chris vallance, matt wardman[tags]britblog roundup, britblog, audio, podcast, bbc pods and blogs, bbc podsandblogs, chris vallance, matt wardman[/tags]