Newsreaders Earn a Fortune! Look!

Nobody is saying that reading the news is easy (you try talking about London’s 2012 Olympic bid without cracking up), but getting near on half-a-million quid for following an autocue (hello Dead Ringers favourite Fiona Bruce), that’s just taking the Michael. Buerk to be exact.

“There are some real lame brains doing it” Michael Buerk said of the modern newsreader, “It is the only job that actually requires no talent at all. If you can read out loud you can do it.”

Buerk is old school. Back when reporters took a first class to Ethiopia and got in on the real action. He even would even "play a full part" in writing the headlines.

Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy, part of the kickass new breed, was having none of this finger pointing.

“There is a bit more showbiz in news-presenting now and the crusties don’t always like it. But at Channel 4 the presenters make journalistic decisions and conduct interviews on air.”

Veteran newshound John Humphrys countered by simply saying that newsreading nowadays requires “no brain”.

Scratch one for the old boys.

So, what of the other newsreaders that earn much more than you? Well, let’s take a look at the big three:

1. 
   Sir Trevor McDonald (ITV) - £800,00 per annum.
2. Kirsty Young (Channel Five) - £500,000 p.a.
3. Hew Edwards (BBC) - £400,000 p.a.

Political reporter Andrew Marr, currently scraping by on just £150,000 a year, has clearly picked his side of the fence.

“I must say I have never quite understood why they are paid so much, why reading an Autocue, however adeptly, earns you quite as much money.”

It’s over to Buerk, the original natty dresser (ever seen his beige suit and blue shirt combo? A.A. Gill eat your heart out!), for today’s final thought.

“a complete dumbo” he said of one unnamed and probably famous newsreader. More concerned with getting “make-up done” or “nasal hair trimmed” than getting on with the job in hand.

We just hope, and we mean hope, that he’s not talking about Sophie Raworth.  Actually it’s a guy so he can’t be. Vain and rubbish at his job, hmm..?.

Feel free to have a guess if you’d like.

[story by Chris Laverty]