to think that Allegra Stratton (Newsnight Editor) is smug catsbumface personified?

[ToyotaCorona]

Just to be clear, this is merely a reference to her facial expressions and general demeanour, and not a comment on her facial features which are perfectly pleasant

Shanene was interviewed for Newsnight in a cafe, and asked about why she takes money from the state for Housing Benefit for her and her 3 yo daughter when her own mum has a 2-bedroom flat that Allegra wonders why she couldn't move back into. Allegra asks why people who don't have a job shouldn't just live with their parents until they can afford their own house.

Though it's a shame Allegra cut Shanene off when she started to explain that actually, she isn't asking for a free handout.

And a shame she didn't mention that Shanene actually works full-time - the BBC even contacted her via her workplace but chose not to interview her there - and has done since her daughter was small, and from her wages pays roughly as much towards her rent as someone would if they were living in a council flat or with a mortgage, and only claims Housing Benefit to make up the difference between that and the costs of a private rental in Tower Hamlets where she lives.

AIBU to hope Shanene gets a proper apology from Newsnight?

yanbu. Allegra Stratton was out of order and the sign of a good journalist is not using red top type tactics, particularly when working for the BBC.
Actually, what really should happen is that Ms. Stratton should be the subject of disciplinary proceedings.
Disgusted of Suffolk.

Whether you like it or not, this is exactly what ministers are asking at the moment - so journalists need to ask people in that position about it too. Expect more of it.

I think the title of your thread is spectacularly out of order btw. If you objected to a report from a male reporter, would you start by saying what you thought his face looks like?

I did make it very clear it was about her expression and not her appearance though.

I even tried to make a neutral comment about her appearance (i.e. that it's not relevant) but couldn't phrase it right so I made a nice comment instead...

(or have I misunderstood, and catsbumface is a sneaky way of saying people are ugly? In which I apologise to Allegra as that certainly wasn't my intention.)

I"ve watched the bit on Youtube. Did anyone see the actual programme, including how she was introduced?

Because I find it odd whoever put it up on Youtube cut that bit out. Normally it would start with a set up shot of her doing something and say on the voiceover "Jane Smith is a part-time secretary at a widget factory with a young son. She claims housing benefit on this one bedroomed flat in Peckham" Or whatever.

It's still on iplayer (well it was last night) - you could see the whole programme on there. Newsnight 23/05/12. It does end at the same point as the youtube clip, and there isn't much introduction, just that it's going to be about 'lifestyle choices' IIRC.

Apparently she was asked questions which weren't shown (understandably as the interview was edited down for broadcast) including why she chose to keep her child.

On twitter, Shanene has said she was provided with questions before the interview - which were different to the ones she was actually asked.

Shanene has a twitter account with her side of the events - though you have to scroll down to May 23 / May 24 to see the more relevant tweets.

twitter.com/#!/Nenes_Life

(You don't need a twitter account to read it).

"Because I find it odd whoever put it up on Youtube cut that bit out. Normally it would start with a set up shot of her doing something and say on the voiceover "Jane Smith is a part-time secretary at a widget factory with a young son. She claims housing benefit on this one bedroomed flat in Peckham" Or whatever."

I wondered too if there had been selective editing for youtube, but I watched it last night on iplayer and there really wasn't any introduction like that, just some sweeping shots of tower blocks and mention of lifestyle choices.

It seems to have gone from iplayer now (more than 7 days ago) which is annoying as I would like to watch it again to check the context.

"Shanene Thorpe works full time for Tower Hamlets council, and has worked or studied since her daughter was born" would have been a good introduction but it would have made a nonsense of the interview.