Difference between revisions of "Policy Research Associates"
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A consultancy set up in 1985 by [[Julian Lewis]], [[Leigh Kerpel]] and [[Tony Kerpel]]. One of its projects was the [[Media Monitoring Unit]]. | A consultancy set up in 1985 by [[Julian Lewis]], [[Leigh Kerpel]] and [[Tony Kerpel]]. One of its projects was the [[Media Monitoring Unit]]. | ||
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| + | :The Media Monitoring Unit was conceived and created last year by a small group of self-described Right-of-centre political activists. The driving force is Julian Lewis, 35, former Conservative parliamentary candidate for Swansea West, who holds a doctorate in strategic studies from Oxford. | ||
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| + | :[[Julian Lewis|He]] runs a political pressure group called Policy Research Associates which pops up now and again in debates on such matters as council corruption, trade union law and CND. [[Lord Chalfont]] is a patron as is [[Norris McWhirter]], who founded the [[Freedom Association]], and [[Edward Leigh]], MP (Con., Gainsborough and Horncastle). | ||
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| + | :The increasing activity of the PRA and the decision to form the monitoring unit is indicative of a more aggressive approach in Right-of-centre circles to getting across its message. | ||
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| + | :Lewis says there has been growing concern that, whereas newspaper subscribers can choose their reading, the TV-viewing millions are limited to only four stations and two controlling bodies whose adequacy is questioned. | ||
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| + | :To get the unit off the ground he approached Sir [[Peter Tennant]], 75, a senior City businessman and adviser to the [[CBI]]. Tennant in turn drew together a nucleus of sympathisers, mostly from the City, who put up the £25,000-or-so to hire a director, buy a video recorder and publish the report.<ref>'[http://www.julianlewis.net/cuttings_detail.php?id=10 PEDIGREE OF A TV WATCHDOG]' Daily Telegraph – 20 November 1986, TV has again been accused of political bias by a monitoring group. But how impartial are the monitors? Maurice Weaver reports</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 12:37, 31 December 2007
A consultancy set up in 1985 by Julian Lewis, Leigh Kerpel and Tony Kerpel. One of its projects was the Media Monitoring Unit.
- The Media Monitoring Unit was conceived and created last year by a small group of self-described Right-of-centre political activists. The driving force is Julian Lewis, 35, former Conservative parliamentary candidate for Swansea West, who holds a doctorate in strategic studies from Oxford.
- He runs a political pressure group called Policy Research Associates which pops up now and again in debates on such matters as council corruption, trade union law and CND. Lord Chalfont is a patron as is Norris McWhirter, who founded the Freedom Association, and Edward Leigh, MP (Con., Gainsborough and Horncastle).
- The increasing activity of the PRA and the decision to form the monitoring unit is indicative of a more aggressive approach in Right-of-centre circles to getting across its message.
- Lewis says there has been growing concern that, whereas newspaper subscribers can choose their reading, the TV-viewing millions are limited to only four stations and two controlling bodies whose adequacy is questioned.
- To get the unit off the ground he approached Sir Peter Tennant, 75, a senior City businessman and adviser to the CBI. Tennant in turn drew together a nucleus of sympathisers, mostly from the City, who put up the £25,000-or-so to hire a director, buy a video recorder and publish the report.[1]
Notes
- ↑ 'PEDIGREE OF A TV WATCHDOG' Daily Telegraph – 20 November 1986, TV has again been accused of political bias by a monitoring group. But how impartial are the monitors? Maurice Weaver reports
