Director's cut — February 2007

February 1, 2007 by Tara Brabazon

Since the death of Princess Diana ten years ago, magazines have changed. Graeme Turner termed this transformation 'tabloidation.' News became entertainment. Public relations replaced journalism. This is celebrity culture. While I have got used to Posh offering fashion advice and Becks offering commentary on new masculinities, times have changed.

In the UK at the moment, there is a suite of celebrities who do not actually do anything. They are often 'presenters,' people who wear a short skirt and read an auto-cue. It is dreadful. Celebrity magazines give these superficial creatures some form of depth and intent. But it is not enough.

One of the great joys of working with PCC during February in our Book Club is that you have offered incredibly important testimony, responses and discussion about politics, knowledge and education. The gulf between these 'presenters' and the PCC is vast.

A project we must find a way to address through the year is how to connect intelligent commentary with the contemporary state of popular culture. Our Book Club is one way to be active in our thinking. Yet as you move through your film sets, classrooms, publishing houses and research offices, you make a difference with your intelligence, respect and consideration.

See you in March.

T XXX

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