My Week In Media: Ross Westgate
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.Last week I read...
More than anything else, my BlackBerry. It lit up on Sunday night and I knew then that the deal had been done for Bank of America to acquire Merrill Lynch. On the way to work each morning I read The Times, before looking at the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal once I get in. I used to love that they had the sport on one side and the business on the other, and that I could throw the rest of the paper away. Now I have to spend the first five minutes ripping out T2 and finding the bits I want. I've particularly enjoyed reading Anatole Kaletsky this week, who argued that by punishing shareholders, the US Treasury Secretary, Hank Paulson, had made the rescue of other banks almost impossible. He's the only commentator I've read who thinks that the shareholders should have been saved with all these bailouts, so that it would have encouraged more long-term investors when the companies needed extra funds. The papers have done a great job of covering the financial crises this week. I love Simon Barnes in The Times and if I need to take my mind off something, I can read anything he has to write on any subject.
Last week I watched...
The big thing for me was the BBC's Robert Peston (right) breaking the story that Lloyds were to take over HBOS on Wednesday. I was on air when it broke, so as soon as I came off I tuned into News 24 to get his reports, because I wanted to hear as much as possible from their source. Rob broke the Northern Rock story and has impeccable contacts in the UK business market. I like to switch off a little when I get home, though, so I watched Mock The Week, which really helps me unwind. My wife and I have also been watching Mutual Friends and find it a bit of a giggle. I watched some of the Champions League matches involving Chelsea and Liverpool and since midday on Friday I have been glued to the Ryder Cup golf.
Last week I listened to...
Radio Five Live and Heart FM. I like the music on Heart and the news and sports chat on Five Live.
Last week I surfed...
During the Olympics I really got into the BBC sports website. It's a great way to catch up on events. I've been going there to watch some of the Paralympics. It's great to watch Britain winning another gold, whatever event it is. I just like to watch Britain winning gold medals!
Ross Westgate is a co-anchor of CNBC's business show Worldwide Exchange
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments