A PUNDIT ON PUNDITS

Press, 21 April 1984, Page 18

A PUNDIT ON PUNDITS

By

Whim Wham

.. we have placed greater emphasis on explaining what we think is happening beneath the spoken words. The error rate of that journalism is too high ... Our hills are alive with the sound of pundits who may be creating mistrust in the public mind ...” — Mr lan Cross, chairman of Broadcasting Corporation. In a perfect World we wouldn’t need any Pundits, The MEDIA would be open Conduits Delivering the purest Water of true (And verifiable, Fact, discharging too In some appropriately treated Form The Excreta of Party Spokesmen, the Storm Water of Controversy, whatever it All means Between the Lines or behind the Scenes! Did the MEDIA mistake his Meaning, At the Conference, in the Hall? Their only Mistake was to credit Him With meaning Anything at all! When Politician A says This, And Politician B says That, And Politician C says Rhubarb, Rhubarb — What are They driving at? Isn’t it the painful Accuracy With which it’s All reported, That baffles Analysis, and leaves The Understanding thwarted? Isn’t there a Place for Pundits, And Journalists nagging away, Reporting what Politicians don’t — or Don’t wish to — say? If they get It wrong nine Times — Or not right, precisely! And the Ten® is dead on Target? Sir, t That’ll do Me nicely.