After George Osborne was announced as the new editor of the Evening Standard, there was outrage across the House as many asked: how can Osborne serve as an MP, financial advisor and daily newspaper editor all at the same time?
Alan Rusbridger has now graced us with his take on the situation. In an editorial for the New York Times, the former Guardian editor says that it ‘would be better’ if Osborne were to make ‘a clean break from politics’ and become ‘a great crusading editor on behalf of the people’. Part of Rusbridger’s issue with Osborne’s appointment is that he doesn’t understand how the former Chancellor will have the time: ‘I edited The Guardian for 20 years. I found it quite a demanding job.’
While the jury is still out on Osborne’s new gig, Mr S wonders if Rusbridger is being entirely honest when he talks about the difficulties of timekeeping in his ‘demanding’ job. After all, during Rusbridger’s time editing the Grauniad, he amazed staff with his own ability to multi-task. As his paper faced financial difficulty, Rusbridger decided to make 2013 the year he mastered Chopin’s First Ballade, Op 23. One employee even took to the comments section of his boss’s piano diary to say he was pleased to finally learn how Rusbridger spent his days:
Afternoon Alan – I’m a member of Guardian staff, posting anonymously.
As you know, it’s a tough time for your journalists at the moment – especially for those of us way down the food chain: the production grunts, the desk-bound, the ones who actually produce the content.
We’re working harder and harder (because we love the papers), coping with dwindling resources and morale, we’re badly mismanaged, and trying to cope with the life-changing threat of compulsory redundancies – all a result of the company’s long-term financial illiteracy and lavish excess at the top.
So I just want to say thanks for the series of articles – three now, isn’t it? – about learning to play your Fazioli piano. They’re brilliantly timed, and I know they’ll lift spirits. We always wondered how you filled your days, how you spent your fortune. Now we know.’
Perhaps Rusbridger can give Osborne a few tips on multi-tasking?
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