10.02.2011 11:30
What's on?: What the Papers Say

Life is often too busy to keep up with all the news that is going on around the UK, never mind to read how different newspapers are reporting it. But there's a weekly radio programme which does the job for you: a light-hearted analysis of how the British newspapers are covering the biggest stories. It's an easily digestible 15-minute-slot called 'What the Papers Say' on BBC Radio 4.

What the Papers Say gives a wry look at the week's most important stories by reading the relevant headlines or comments from different newspapers. The broadsheets (or quality press) don't often report events in the same way as the tabloids (or yellow press), particularly political stories. WikiLeaks, the student demonstrations about increased university tuition fees, the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton and the coalition government have all been covered in recent episodes of What the Papers Say. Not surprisingly, there were very different opinions from The Sun and The Daily Mirror (two of the tabloid newspapers) and The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph (two of the broadsheets). And then there's the added dimension of whether the papers are right- or left-wing or just sitting in the centre.

Although What the Papers Say was broadcast for nearly 50 years on the television before finding its current home on the radio, the format has remained the same:
a studio presenter (usually a leading political journalist) reads a script which is interspersed with quotes (headlines and selections from the comments pages of various newspapers) read in a variety of accents and voices by four actors. The quotes are generally humorous and, more importantly, identify the newspaper's attitude to the story under question. This attitude is then articulated by the actor reading the excerpt - so it is a good way for the listener to understand the political leanings of each newspaper.

So why don't you increase your political and current affairs knowledge and tune in to find out what the papers say at 22.45 (UK time) on Sundays. Just click here: