±«Óãtv

very worthwhile and powerful.

What on earth are you doing with Newsnight?!

First you destroy the Friday Night Review by somehow managing to replace any intelligent, reflective and original minds with the fawning gibbons who mouth platitudes to whatever gcse media studies course they took and never moved beyond.

I haven't heard an original thought expressed on that show since Mark Kermode got a regular spot.

And who decided pop music was a suitable topic - so often!

And now, after I have finally decided to avoid the second half of a Friday night Newsnight in case I throw my television out of the window in the faint hope that some feedback might knock some sense into Paul Morley after hge descirbes, with such insight, how Clint Eastwood's new film is "just too 'Clint'"! How is that an opnioin? What new information does that entail? What insight? Do I need to listen to this moron-icary?

And now. Avoiding Friday's review like a plague of Turner prizes, I find that Newnight itself has turned to UTube for it's content.

What is the point of a title such as newsnight (yes, the clue IS in the title) when you offer graffiti as accompaniment.

I'M NOT INTERESTED. If I were I would be looking at UTube or that 5 minute slot after the Channel 4 news. What's wrong with your producer? Did they get turned down for a lottery grant and feel they have to inflict their bleeding community project heart on the rest of us?

Why not just replace Jeremy Paxman with a Blue Peter presenter and have done with the pretence.

Sad in Southwark

I cant belive you included Columbia when it has been around for so long. I hope you don't give the person who sent it in the credit for this film, as it would be very undeserved. And how typical to include London, which although heartwarming, is about as innovative as bread. Good call on the other three i must say, but i swear if the winner or the editors choice is bloody London, i am straight down to the capital itself to kick some Newsnight ass!!!

Carly et al

As I understood it, the winner is the film that will be shown on Friday night.

I too thought London was extremely light and actually quite annoying - not much more than an ad for London, probably backed by Red Ken. I mean who doesn't know the transient and cosmopolitan nature of London? It's not a new phenomenon, London is one of the most famous /popular capitals in the world - second after New York?

Ditto Columbia, I simply don't understand that, after what was said on the blog, and I really think the inclusion needs justifying, I reserve judgement in case there is a perfectly bona fide media-luvvy reason that I don't understand.

For the sheer simplicity of the message on Malawi, I do hope this turns up on Friday as the deserving winner. Spend £5 and not only feed a child for a year but get them to school where they may actually learn how to best help themselves. What a simple solution!!
The others do have their merits of course and well done to them for getting to the final week.

Having just read Media Guardian's interview with the Newsnight Editor (Barron?) I now realise why what used to be one of my favourite programmes has become such a load of rubbish that I hardly bother to watch anymore.

I couldnt agree more with Paxman that this Oh My Newsnight nonsense just isnt what Newsnight should be doing, and as for that ethical man and other similar stunts, im sorry but its just boring and not news. I can see that Newsnight is trying to become more hip and down with the kids but it just doesnt work. whats wrong with being a serious news and politics review programme, its not as if there are anyother decent ones around.

Sonny’s predictions

The Cuban film will take 1st place on Friday night.

The Colombian film will be one of the 3 runners up.

Dole and Malawi are little trickier as they are similar. I reckon Dole will take the runners up place leaving Malawi for the Editors Choice on Thursday.

Sonny

Note: I am not affiliated with the ±«Óãtv/Newsnight in anyway.

I think 'Oh My Newsnight' has been a very interesting exercise. There are obviously many talented young documentary makers out there who don't stand a chance of having their work looked at seriously----giving them 2 minutes of glory might be the beginning of a whole career for them. Why all the griping? Several of the topics covered were very serious.

I cannot understand Jeremy Paxman's dismissive attitude to this film competitiion. Most of the 2 minute shorts from these fledgling film makers were newsworthy (although "London" couldn't claim to be). Similarly, I am totally at a loss to understand Philip's contemptuous attitude towards "Oh My Newsnight". Has Philip taken the trouble to actually view the films? Does he consider the shots of the hurricane in CUBA not worth two minute's attention? Does he not think that MALAWI is newsworthy? And why the strong objection to Newsnight giving a platform to future film makers? Jeremy has done his best to downgrade these interesting mini documentaries. Are we not to encourage talent? Well done Newsnight production team for making this happen - just give it more of a plug will you? Congratulations to all the serious entrants, especially the 5 winners.

Malawi is a Great Video.
It is a true story and is helping so many hungry children. A bit like Bod Gildof did with live aid.
I dont thing there is a greater dead that anyone could do than to feed a hungry child.

Contrary to some earlier replies I thought Colombia was excellent.
Several others posts have labelled it "old hat" yet they still can't even spell the countrys' name correctly... Columbia??
Maybe by finally paying attention something will change.

ok so my predictions were slightly out.

Newsnight is not the appropriate platform for these amateur films - they simply add another nail in the coffin of a programme that once kept us all informed and entertained . Mr Paxman has my sympathy; it's bad enough to have this stuff intrude on the ±«Óãtv's flagship but he has to sit there and present it!

Please, ±«Óãtv, can we have our Newsnight back?

Alex Mitchell

Oops, that was me - shameful - but you're missing the point that, however good it is, the film Colombia was not made for My Newsnight, it was, according to shortlist bloggers, posted on You Tube some time ago.

I thought Havannah was wonderful and like Maria, I find it really hard to understand why quite a few bloggers feel that My Newsnight is not real reportage. Havannah was topical, clever, informative, poignant, sympathetic, questioning and then on top of that it was also excellent visually.

I think JP deliberately plays devil's advocate and in full knowledge of the rest of team - then if the anti-MN brigade reaches critical mass NN will be shielded somewhat by having had a sceptic on the team.

Missed the last two nights, anyone know which video clips have featured so far?

Thanks.

Why not reprise Video Nation? I agree with the comments about Newsnight Review. It's too Clint. Ethical Man is too Woody. And what is the point in getting the arts correspondent to take physics 'A' level - to let us know it's harder than media studies? No shit.

News in depth and current events please, or I will be driven to Insight on CNN and Inside Story and the excellent Witness on Al Jazeera English. Alternatives exist. There is an internet you know.

I would like to vote for Malawi. I have in the past donated to the Mary`s Meals cause, and think it is a fantastic concept.

How can anyone not vote for Malawi. This will be an ongoing, and very worthwhile cause. It is multiplying rapidly across the whole third world, and with the education that goes with it, it becomes self remedial. I VOTE for MALAWI.
We have donated to Mary`s Meals before, and we will be signing up again.

Why are the films not being shown in Scotland?
The work in Malawi is carried out by SIR (Mary's Meals) which is a Scottish charity.

Congratulations to the makers of both Colombia and Malawi. They are excellent, as indeed are all the runners up. I think Colombia is the better film of the two. Despite all the publicity given to the abuse of cocaine in this country I have never before seen a film showing the primitive and appalling conditions in which it is produced. It should be compulsory viewing in schools and I hope Kate Moss is a Newsnight viewer. The film must have been very difficult to make and I suspect that is why we have never, to my knowledge, seen anything similar before.