From Davos to the real world

Back to the Workworld media awards: when Bill Emmott, former editor of the Economist picked up his lifetime achievement award he couldn't resist the opportunity for a dig at Davos - the world's most overrated talking shop. "Congratulations to all of us for not being at Davos," he said.

Did he know that Alan Rusbridger (see previous blog) was jetting out there the next day to leave yet another hefty carbon footprint on the alpine slopes? I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

As one of the award judges I get to see all the entries. One of my favourites this year, winner in the "Scoop of the Year" category, was an Inside Out documentary made by BBC Newcastle. One of the news team, working under cover, secured a job with National Car Parks in Sunderland as a trainee parking meter attendant.

With a secret camera and microphone, he was able to expose what really goes on among these people. One of the attendants boasted that he had slashed all four tyres of a car in an act of revenge against an angry motorist. Another admitted extorting the price of a pint from another car driver in exchange for waving a ticket.

These may be seen as devious journalistic tactics but sometimes it's the only way of getting at the truth.