BBC Host Discusses The Public’s Role In Journalism

The host of the BBC's World Have Your Say program says there's a danger in some voices being excluded from conversations in the media.Host Chloe Tilley says producers and reporters can sometimes fall back on interviewing the same pundits or experts on topics, and that excludes many opinions or viewpoints."Journalism, with deadlines and things like that, there's a danger of being lazy," she says. " 'Oh, we spoke to that person three months ago and they were very good, let's go back to them.'"Tilley says social networks like Facebook and Twitter now make it easier for journalists to hear those views and present them."There are a lot of people out there with really important views and with great experiences that we simply don't hear on traditional media because they don't have that voice," she says. "And what we hope to do is bring those people forward so they've got that voice."Tilley says the conversation with the audience is complimentary to input from experts or pundit. She further says it's important to make it clear that some opinions may be minority views or run contrary to scientific research.The BBC program is broadcasting from Louisville as part of the Idea Festival this week, in conjunction with WFPL. It can be heard Thursday and Friday at 1pm.