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Its All News to Me!

I recently finished reading BBC journalist Jeremy Vine's book 'It's All News to Me'. It has very useful insights on news, journalism and life in general. And filled with lots of jokes. Like this famous interview between presidential candidate George W Bush and a journalist (Hiller), which shows that the art of journalism is asking the obvious :
Hiller: Can you name the president of Chechnya?
Bush: No, can you?
Hiller: Can you name the president of Taiwan?
Bush: Yeah, Lee.
Hiller: Can you name the general who is in charge of Pakistan?
Bush: Wait, wait, is this fifty questions?
Hiller: No, it’s four questions of four leaders in four hot-spots.
Bush: The new Pakistani general, he’s just been elected – not elected, this guy took over office. It appears this guy is going to bring stability to the country and I think that’s good news for the subcontinent.
Hiller: Can you name him?
Bush: General. I can name the general. Just general.
Hiller: And the prime minister of India?
Bush: The new prime minister of India is . . . no. (Attempts to take the initiative.) Can you name the foreign minister of Mexico?
Hiller: No sir, but I would say to that, I’m not running for president.

(Source : It's All News to Me )
The book is a good general read. Though it could have been less self focused - and it has one or two profanities. Otherwise it's great laughs all the way.

Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2013
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