{"id":3239,"date":"2017-03-19T16:32:54","date_gmt":"2017-03-19T16:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/imjussayin.com\/blog\/?p=3239"},"modified":"2017-03-20T20:07:18","modified_gmt":"2017-03-20T20:07:18","slug":"george-osbourne-appointment-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imjussayin.com\/blog\/george-osbourne-appointment-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Reasons Why George Osbourne’s Editorial Appointment Is Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"George<\/p>\n

George Osbourne is now the editor of the Evening Standard. It would be unreasonable to object to his appointment simply because it is his sixth job. After all, growing numbers of people are finding it necessary to hold more than one job to make ends meet. A \u00a0result of George Osbourne\u2019s austerity policies. However, I find Osbourne\u2019s appointment objectionable because\u00a0it compromises society’s values and standards in three important ways. It is also proof we are anything but \u2018all in it together\u2019 as he has suggested.<\/p>\n

1. It Undermines Meritocracy<\/span><\/h2>\n

We profess that meritocracy is one of Britain’s\u00a0virtues. But George Osbourne\u2019s selection is only explicable by dint of his social position. He is the son of a Viscount with all the accompanying privileges. He has no experience as a reporter. His foray into journalism ended with rejection by the Times graduate programme. \u00a0Nonetheless, the\u00a0failed ex-<\/span>Chancellor of the Exchequer<\/a>\u00a0is engaged, and\u00a0<\/span>journalists with a wealth of experience bypassed. So much for meritocracy.<\/p>\n

2. It Compromises Media Independence<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Evening Standard has been robust in reporting social issues such as child poverty which arises from George Osbourne\u2019s policies as the Chancellor. With Osbourne at its helm, the Standard is unlikely\u00a0to criticise\u00a0his failings and the hardship his policies continue to bring. It is a brave journalist who would expose their boss and a foolish boss who would allow it.<\/p>\n

Besides airbrushing out the ramifications of his policies, the appointment gives Osbourne a platform to promote himself and traduce Theresa May<\/a>. She fired him as Chancellor. Additionally, \u00a0how effectively will\u00a0the Standard\u00a0scrutinise London financiers? \u00a0The editor, George Osbourne is in the pay of Black Rock, a leading investment fund. I firmly believe that the press should hold power to account and this appointment compromises that premise.<\/p>\n

\"George<\/p>\n

3. George Osbourne’s Appointment Is A Public Disservice<\/span><\/h2>\n

Osbourne is also the MP for Tatton. With his long list of engagements, realistically, how well will his constituents be served? \u00a0Public service should be his priority for that is his duty as an MP. \u00a0If it is not, then George Osbourne like former Labour MP Tristram Hunt,<\/a> should resign and be the editor and everything else but an MP. \u00a0While he does both he is doing a disservice to his constituents and denigrating the role of MP. \u00a0It will exacerbate\u00a0the public’s anti-politics sentiment and feelings that MPs are in it for themselves.<\/p>\n

The appointment is good for George Osbourne but is bad news for\u00a0democracy, for politics and the press.<\/p>\n

imjussayin<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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