BBC

Former ABC newsman Ted Koppel, who has been contributing to BBC World News America since July as an analyst, will present his first opinion piece on the network during tonight's broadcast (7pmET). The topic — torture.

TVNewser has obtained an early transcript of the segment. "Torture should be, clearly and unambiguously, against the law; as it is for those who safeguard our homes and streets domestically," says Koppel.

"Is it possible that a threat to national security and the lives of many Americans may, at a subsequent trial, be determined to have justified the violation of that law? May a presidential pardon be warranted? Perhaps. But moral clarity and America's standing in the world demand that the burden of proof be on those who can find no alternative to torture."

Former VP Dick Cheney was a guest on Face the Nation yesterday, in a much-talked about interview with Bob Schieffer. Click continued to see the torture-related part of the interview...

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The MediaGuardian reports BBC is cutting almost 90 jobs over the next year.

Today's announcement represents the third year of a rolling programme of cuts in BBC News. In the previous two years costs savings have resulted from the merging of TV, radio and online journalists into the multimedia newsroom and the creation of a single programmes department.

"It is important to remember that this is part of a five-year plan announced in 2007 - of which we are in Year 3 - to improve efficiency and strengthen output across BBC News," said a network spokesman. The BBC is expected to see 2,500 job cuts when the process is finished.

Last month BBC America axed the morning simulcast of the BBC World News channel. The three-hour news block, airing from 6am-9amET, was replaced by lifestyle programs.

But now it appears BBC is reversing course. TVNewser was sent the following email announcing the news block is returning, although an hour earlier:

From: ViewerRelations@BBCAmerica.com
To: [REDACTED]
Subject: BBC World News
Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 14:57:52 -0400

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding BBC World News. Over the past few weeks, we've noted the response from our dedicated viewers to the removal of the morning news block. We understand that many of you wish to start your day with the BBC's newscast and we appreciate your loyalty. We're happy to report that after careful review, we've reached a solution that will enable us to reinstate a morning feed - though in a slightly different time slot which is more viable from a business perspective. Beginning Monday, May 18th BBC World News will air weekday mornings from 5-8am EST. We hope you enjoy it.

Regards,

Viewer Relations

BBC World News America anchor Matt Frei is a European in D.C. — and from this perspective he weighs in on the Emo-anchor rise in a column today on BBC's Website.

"The traditional stiff upper lip of newscasters has morphed into a quivering lower lip," he writes.

He brings up the usual suspects — Glenn Beck, Jim Cramer, Keith Olbermann — but also a new one: Ed Schultz. Of Schultz' opening segment Monday: "By the end of it I felt so physically exhausted I had not taken in a single coherent sentence of what he had to say. I think he was angry at the people who were angry with the President."

Frei does note the ratings these cable hosts bring in. "I wish I had that many viewers," he writes. "I am just not willing — or able — to froth at the mouth to get them."

Frei's conclusion: Americans ("more aspirational, optimistic and polite" than Europeans) use these hosts to "exorcise our demons" while staying even-keeled themselves. "When my children see another child crying, bawling and whining in public, they immediately stop their antics. They look on in silent awe," writes Frei. "We do the same."

Ted Koppel will contribute to BBC World News America's coverage of the G20 Summit today and tomorrow, joining anchors Matt Frei and Mishal Husain.

Frei anchors in D.C. and Husain in London. Katty Kay contributes to the broadcasts as well. BBC World News America airs at 7pmET on BBC America and BBC World News.

Koppel joined BBC World News in July 2008.

• Earlier: The three evening news anchors broadcast live from London.

Tonight and tomorrow night, BBC World News America will broadcast live from Los Angeles and take a close look at international trade in a global economy.

Anchor Matt Frei will broadcast portside as The BBC Box, a branded shipping container, arrives at the port of Los Angeles. The Box is criss-crossing the globe with various cargoes in an experiment to lift the veil on the global economy. The Box then begins a cross-country journey.

Frei will talk to officials about the impact of the global economic downturn on the shipping industry. Tomorrow, Frei reports from the port at Long Beach where imported cars have been piling up due to dwindling demand.

Gail Shister
TVNewser Columnist

If you're looking for bells and whistles on Election Night, the BBC is not your cuppa tea.

"I don't think the BBC will ever be, or aspire to be, the bells-and-whistles network," says CBS exile Rome Hartman, executive producer of "BBC World News America."

"Fundamentally, we're about great stories. Graphics help, and they're cool. I have a lot of admiration for David Borhman and what he's doing at CNN. But at a certain point, it's almost parody.

"If the technology is just there as a 'Gee whiz!' it's probably not the right thing. If it helps tell the story in a clear and understandable way, it's perfectly fine."

The BBC's "U.S. Election Night" will be broadcast live from the network's Washington bureau to more than 200 countries around the world beginning at 6pmET. In the Colonies, it will be seen exclusively on BBC America and BBC World News.

Former ABC Newsman Ted Koppel will join co-anchors David Dimbleby and Matt Frei in the studio "to step back and paint the big picture," in Hartman's words.

In a cheeky twist, contributors will include Ricky Gervais, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Schiff, Jay McInerney and Gore Vidal.

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Marking its first anniversary, BBC World News America broadcast from its new state-of-the-art set last night. The set features eight new plasma screens, seven with graphics of diverse landscapes of the U.S. and one for images and during guest interviews. The program, airing at 7 and 10pmET, is anchored by Matt Frei, with Katty Kay as Washington correspondent.

Attitude and an accent — that's what Rome Hartman says he wants to bring to convention coverage.

As EP of BBC World News America, the former CBS' Evening News EP is covering his first convention as an employee of the Beeb.

TVNewser talked to Hartman this morning outside the BBC News workspace about media bias, the upcoming Republican Convention, Katie Couric and more:

While the Olympic conflict puts both countries on the podium, the war between Russia and Georgia continues.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who made the media rounds on Friday as his country was heading towards war, appeared last night on BBC World News America.

Saakashvili was live from inside his office, where correspondent Nik Gowing conducted the interview at 3:00am local time.

As the war raged on outside, Saakashvili used a map of the country to point out exactly where the battle was taking place.