Obituary: Derrick Amoore
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.I FIRST met Derrick Amoore in 1971 when I wanted to start a news bulletin for children, writes Edward Barnes (further to the obituary by Robert Rowland, 4 September). Paul Fox, the then Controller of BBC1, suggested that I talked to the Editor of Television News - 'See what he thinks.'
Programme output departments in the BBC are like fiefdoms, and the barons who control them are not famous for their generosity. And Derrick had a reputation for being acerbic.
I approached him in the corridor that leads to the canteen and said, 'I was thinking of starting a news programme for children.' His immediate reaction was 'What an interesting idea - come and see me at four o'clock.'
I found Derrick engrossed in a playback of the previous night's Nine O'Clock News. After a minute he switched off the television, sat behind the desk, and said,
'Speak.'
He listened to the first few sentences, got up, walked to the window and closed the Venetian blinds. 'That's so the bosses can't see us drinking,' he said, and poured out two enormous gins topped up with a smidgeon of flat warm tonic.
'Continue.'
Before I left he had made several razor-like suggestions, and committed himself to allowing Children's Programmes to use the mighty News machine with complete editorial freedom. This was the beginning of Newsround, the world's first daily news bulletin for children, now in its 21st year. Television organisations everywhere have tried to emulate it, but nowhere else has there been an Editor of Television News with the breadth of mind to ensure its success. I doubt if any other head of department in the BBC's history would have shown such foresight, generosity and objectivity. He was a maverick: he put programmes first and rubbished anything or anyone who stood in their way.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments