As diligent students of British politics understand, most votes under our first past the post system make no real difference to the result of a general election. The ones that count are those cast by swing voters in marginal constituencies. The Conservatives have been confident in their assertions that, despite a narrowing gap in nationwide opinion surveys, their lead among these defining voters in the marginals is big enough to make the crucial difference. A carefully targeted poll in this morning's Times suggests their confidence may be misplaced.
Can't get in to a Centre for Journalism course? Too lazy to learn the hard way how to be a reporter? Fear not. Youtube is on hand to save the day, thanks to its all new Youtube Reporters' Center.
So just sit back, log in and click your way through video interviews, tips and tricks of the trade from some of (American) journalism's superstars. GASP at Bob Woodward's tedious anecdote about checking the facts on a story about a coffee shop. THRILL as CBS's Katie Couric is gushingly interviewed by her own producer. And CRY as a citizen journalist explains how journalism is as easy as plugging in a microphone and switching on a camera.
Congratulations. Now you're ready to roll. All you need do now is wait for the Pulitzer committee to call with news of your award.
OK, so it's not quite that bad. And there are a few nuggets buried in there if you can fight your way past the earnest infomercial style of most of the presenters.
But you'd still probably be better off with our very own video Masterclass series. Coming soon, Gavin Esler.
Learning to eat properly with a knife and fork and how to tie your own shoelaces? Okay, so it's as you say not that bad.
But honestly, how can anyone expect to understand the practices of journalism through a tutorial, without experiencing it for themselves in a newsroom environment? It's all well and good YouTube dictating what they think a journalist should be and how they can improve, but how much do they really understand about journalism itself? And who do they think in the paid professional media business, would ever prescribe showing this to trainee, prospective journalists, interested in news and general reporting?
Ah well, I suppose as you say, it has its nuggets, but not much steak really if I'm honest. Excuse tedious cliches, that would be very YouTube-esque.