13/04/2012 Newswatch

week, Newsround is 40 years old. But is it still serving young

Welcome to NewsWatch. Later in the programme: Was he given the oxygen

of publicity? Does a 100-year-old event deserves a much time on the

news? And do they look cramped in a new home?

While we will off-air for Easter, another programme was celebrating

its 40th birthday. First, John Craven's Newsround. Back in 1972,

the idea of a news programme specially targeting children was a

radical one. Then, as now, he's round did not shirk from covering

the big stories. Even when they were potentially shocking or

distressing. But it has moved on from the days of John Craven and

his sweaters. Now it is several editions a day on TV including

specials on subjects like autism and domestic violence and a

significant online presence. Some take issue with the programme's

Good morning. Welcome to Newsround... Won 14-year-old told

me he enjoyed watching Newsround over the years, but identified a

programme. -- problem. It's a very good programme, it meets the remit

it needs to. It uses techniques to target the audience very well.

However, I've noticed a bit of a gap. There is the Newsround for the

six-12s and then there are programmes on BBC Three, like Young

Person's Question Time, for the older late teens and early adults.

But the 12-16 age range is not really getting catered for. Young

people of all ages today have a host of possible entertainment and

distractions providing competition which was unimaginable four years

ago. In a multimedia age, how can use round keep its audience and its

relevance? In a moment I will be put in some of those points to Joe

goblin, in charge of BBC services for children. First, let's hear

from one of the young people he is trying to reach, 12-year-old

Lachlann Hinley, in our Edinburgh studio. You are a Newsround viewer,

what do you make of it? I think it is good. But I think it is good and

Tony or 12. It doesn't really give you the in-depth news that a you

could expect if you were over 12, from 12 to 16. What would you like

to see and hear gender? What is missing that you want to see and

hear about? The sort of things which are on the main news, such as

politics, things that may be are not that interesting for six to 12

age range, like politics and economics. Maybe it should be more

focused on real, current news. about your school friends? Do they

feel the same as you? To some extent, do you think the Newsround

editors are may be underestimating their audience? Yes, I do. At my

school it is sort of half-and-half. Some people are interested in

reality TV. Popular music. But some people are interested in economics

and politics. So I think there needs to be... Newsround should

still be there, for half of the people. But there should be a new

one for those that want to find out more about politics, economics and

more real, current affairs. Stay with us. Joe Godwin, nobody is

saying it is an easy thing to please everybody with Newsround.

But here you have examples of people saying they should be more

serious news and not everybody is interested in the latest reality TV

show. In a way, Newsround has been accused of fulfilling its remit for

its target audience, which is quite hard to argue with, in Airwave. I

think one of the key issues of this is that Newsround fancied CDC --

and CBBC is aimed at that audience. I take a point about provision for

older teens. In reality, we know from research and the letters and

e-mails that I get that a lot of teenagers do still watch Newsround.

Over the years, has there been a gradual slide towards more

celebrity, more reality TV, more pop music and football? Has there

been a shift? The news agenda has not changed. The first Newsround of

April 1970 to lead with a story about Ospreys in Scotland. Let's

not kid ourselves that 40 years ago it was leading on the economy and

it was all hard news and now it is all pop. Newsround has already

talked about Syria, Ivory trafficking. It has had a piece

about The Voice and Britain's Got Talent and it's had some stories

about tiger cubs. But that is a very traditional mix. Tonight at

5pm they will be running on Syria. We talk to children of all ages

about Newsround and we know that they are very interested in the

serious issues going on in the world. What are the main things

that have changed since John Craven's day? Presumably the rise

of internet and social media, enormous competition for you as

programme makers? The main things that have changed are exactly that,

it is the competitive environment. A lot of grown-ups who don't still

watch children's television will be amazed to know that the UK is the

world's most competitive children's television market. There are 35

dedicated children's talents -- channels. 40 years ago there were

no PlayStations, no texting, no tweeting. As I sat down as an

eight-year-old to watch the first episode, by choices might have been

to watch that, watch something on ITV or go outside. The growth in

choice has been the most significant thing. That is why it

is remarkable that Newsround is still as important as it is. What

do you think about what you have heard? Is that a reasonable case?

Yes. But I still think there is a gap. On Newsround, it does mention

Syria. But it's a bit... It's like popular music is more important and

Syria. Which I think... I think it needs to get the same things that

the real news has. Thank you very Newsround's 40 it is not the only

anniversary around. In case you haven't noticed, and you probably

have, it is 30 years since the Falklands war and 100 years since

the Titanic set sail on its fateful voyage. News of the disaster

brought frustration and despair to the streets around the port. Day

and night, the crowds strange to read the casualty lists. Some

viewers felt that television was providing an ocean's worth of

documentaries, dramas and news There were more complaints last

weekend about this. What has happened? Cambridge have stopped!

We stopped rowing, there is a man swimming between the boats. A lone

swimmer, stop the race, narrowly avoiding injury himself. It emerged

he was protesting, apparently about elitism.

The disruption was certainly dramatic. But did BBC News give too

Tuesday morning saw the dawning of a new era for Breakfast, as it took

up residence alongside Newsround and some other programmes at the

corporation's new-ish base in Salford. The move has been

controversial. Some guests are found it quite convenient. Are you

mourning people? I am, but I only lead four minutes away from here.

Did you walk? I jog! Salford! Bill is moving to Salford. In two weeks

we will be discussing who has made the move, what impact it has had on

the programme and how it will look in its new studio. I know there is

still a red sofa, but other changes have not gone down well with some

Finally, fancy a job? The post of BBC director general was advertised

this week. Experience as a programme-maker or journalist was

described as desirable but not essential. Chairman Lord Patten

said the role will require the wisdom of Aristotle and the

striking power of Wayne Rooney. If you have an equally snappy summary

of the qualities you think the next director general needs, we would