Presentation to propagandists from the Chinese Communist Party and Ministry of Information

1. UK Political Blogging Paul Staines University of Westminster June 17, 2011

3. Give you my take on contemporary UK political reporting

5. 30s worked in City, Broker, Trader, Bonds then Technology stocks

6. Lived in Hong Kong and Tokyo

7. 2003 Got married.

8. 2004 Became a political blogger.

10. Most famous “anti-politics” name

11. We celebrate Guy Fawkes’ day every 5 November with fireworks.

14. Unlike the BBC no pretence to objectivity

15. Aimed at journalists, Westminster insiders (“the Village” or “the beltway”), think tank wonks, politicians, Lobby journalists, activists, spin doctors, SpAds& broadcasters

20. Conservative Party broke 40% level

21. It was a “game-changer”

22. Destroyed image of PM Gordon Brown as politician with a “moral compass”

26. Gordon Brown used to rage about stories

27. My phone call is not welcome, but is taken.

28. As powerful as a newspaper. Populist.

29. Feared, not liked.

31. ‘News cycles’ are being replaced by ‘news streams’ just as old printed media are being replaced by news brands.

33. Blogging plus traditional media pays enough

36. Huffington Post has more readers than New York Times

38. Pluralism strengthens society

39. Uncovering corruption at grassroots

40. Critical feedback mechanism