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shanaqui's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
The BBC is a British institution, and one which has been agonised over a lot. It sometimes feels like that's something which happened only in recent years, but Charlotte Higgins' This New Noise makes it clear that we've agonised over the BBC for as long as it has existed -- and we've never had the halcyon perfect days that I think many people imagine. It's always been what it is now, and as contentious as it has been now.
At times, I think Higgins tells the story a bit out of order, making references to events she explains properly later. This might work well for someone who has been alive for a bit more of the BBC's lifespan, but I was not yet very engaged with the news for some of these! I also wasn't really aware of the various directors-general, so just mentioning their names didn't really contextualise things.
It's still an interesting history, especially where it discusses people I didn't know about at all, whose roles have been forgotten, like Hilda Matheson. She sounded pretty great (though of course it's easy to make idols of people). All in all, an enjoyable read, and a useful point of view.
At times, I think Higgins tells the story a bit out of order, making references to events she explains properly later. This might work well for someone who has been alive for a bit more of the BBC's lifespan, but I was not yet very engaged with the news for some of these! I also wasn't really aware of the various directors-general, so just mentioning their names didn't really contextualise things.
It's still an interesting history, especially where it discusses people I didn't know about at all, whose roles have been forgotten, like Hilda Matheson. She sounded pretty great (though of course it's easy to make idols of people). All in all, an enjoyable read, and a useful point of view.
alicehr's review
3.0
A fun exposé on the history of the BBC, and thereby, of the news industry and grand culture. Obvious connections to Sweden and SVT.
beulah_devaney's review
5.0
A very engaging history of the BBC.
I really enjoyed the way that Higgins focused relatively obscure BBC personalities. E.g. the woman who invented election coverage and the self-styled BBC outsider who basically built the BBC's engineering department.
There's also a lot of interesting analysis of the BBC's role in recent events, like Snowden's whistleblowing and the Scottish referendum.
I really enjoyed the way that Higgins focused relatively obscure BBC personalities. E.g. the woman who invented election coverage and the self-styled BBC outsider who basically built the BBC's engineering department.
There's also a lot of interesting analysis of the BBC's role in recent events, like Snowden's whistleblowing and the Scottish referendum.
sifter's review
3.0
Written in the run up to the current license fee settlement in 2016, so on the present state of things it’s a little dated, but it’s excellent on the foundation of the BBC and the creation of its culture. Until I read it, I don’t think I realised how influential its first days still are. Some great quotes in there too: “the BBC is an idea. You either believe in it or you don’t.”
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