On this St. George’s day, deep within the cavernous halls of Marylebone’s Landmark Hotel, the formerly conservative notion of chivalry was being radically re-imagined.  In his acceptance of the Media Society’s coveted Annual Award for outstanding excellence in journalism, Jeremy Paxman, famously known as the interviewer most likely to stick a bundle of thorns in his subject’s side, was more modest knight than terrifying interlocutor. 

 

At first glance - as anyone finding themselves wondering “what on earth does one do with this bold farmer and his sword so bright” can attest – the public Paxman is nothing less than a formidable foe.  But as ‘Paxo’ proved Thursday night, beneath the combative façade lays a man as sincere as his humble origins.   

  

It was indeed an unexpected unveiling. 

 

Unexpected too was the staggering amount of warmth and good humour on display. Especially as this was a gathering of Media heavyweights ordinarily stereotyped as incapable of wading beyond their own well-guarded moats. But this was no ordinary evening and such is the power of Paxman.  

 

“Jeremy Paxman is the toughest inquisitor in the history of University Challenge,” Gordon Brown quipped from his new virtual base at No. 10 TV, kick-starting the night with a newfound comic timing. 

A video montage followed portraying the Newsnight presenter’s many faces.  First up was the fresh faced, serious journalist-in-training reporting live from his fiery initiation in troubled Northern Ireland. 

 

Next came the dashing yet uncompromising young Panorama host honing his jousting skills former Tory Chancellor, Norman Lamont, 

 

“Do you like being Chancellor?”  

 

“Yes,” Lamont unwittingly responded.  

 

“Are you going to miss it?” Paxman goaded.  

 

Finally, the seasoned, witty, Newsnight veteran emerged, a man as comfortable in holding the most powerful to account – cue here his devilish dressing-down of Tony Blair’s faith, alternately inquiring if he and Bush “prayed together” while accepting donations from Horny Housewives and Skinny and Wriggly – as he was uncomfortable in betraying the serious tone of Newsnight. 

 

When asked to replace financial news with brief weather snapshots, he famously snarled, 

 

“It’s April, what do you expect?” 

 

As the starter came forth with military efficiency, Channel 4 News Presenter Jon Snow, award host du jour, relieved Media Society President Geraldine Sharpe Newton of hosting duties. 

 

Beginning boldly, Snow variously commended the honoured guest for his methodical ruthlessness in “torturing and beheading his own victims.” Snow’s temerity soon gave way, revealing a deep admiration for a man whose work he modestly claimed he could “never hold a candle to.”  

 

The plaudits were in full flow by the time former Belfast BBC Executive Robin Walsh took the stage. 

 

“My god I know just how Michael Howard felt,” Walsh began before further before paying tribute to his

former understudy’s fiercely independent spirit.  

 

“He was uncomfortable with the hacks in the newsroom, longing for the intellectual air of current affairs.”

 

The first guest to paint Paxman’s face blush was former Woman’s Hour host and current Newsnight Review presenter Martha Kearney.  Topping her dirty laundry list on this charming man, was both Paxman’s “keen interest in women’s fashion” and his uncanny ability to emerge whenever “women’s bits” were being bandied about. 

 

As the frivolity rose to a fever pitch, the main course emerged betraying the growing historic theme.  Those expecting one of Heston’s Tudor feasts were instead treated to a fowl smattering of maple syrup soaked duck and a steady stream of intoxicants to sate the anticipated roasting. 

 

Indeed such was the discomfort aroused in the guest, that it was placed upon Director of BBC News Helen Boaden to restore order.  Though nothing, it seemed, could stop the increasingly vulnerable ‘Paxo’ from disappearing deeper and deeper into his well-worn chair. 

 

Boaden opened, “Jeremy is one who knows where the jugular is and how to go for it.” And while she echoed Kearney’s insight into Paxman’s undeniable sex appeal, she remarked that he was at his core possessed of an “old fashioned decency.” 

 

With Peter Barron and Michael Howard’s symbolic gestures of détente signalling the impending end of the affair, Sharpe Newton, having thanked Camelot and One Young World for their generous support, readied the red carpet for Paxman’s acceptance. 

 

Quoting from ‘As You Like It’ the Media Society President prefaced,

 

“…give me leave,

 

To speak my mind, and I will through and through

 

Cleanse the foul body of th’ infected world

 

If they will receive my medicine…” 
 

And thus, still sanguine from the kindly banter, the lionhearted scourge finally spoke.

 

“Thank you,” he began “for what has been the most embarrassing evening of my life.” 

In pure revisionist fashion, he then recounted his career as a series of failures and happenstance. 

 

“I was rejected from the Diplomatic Service, the Civil Service and even Gilbey’s Gin” before turning to journalism because “interested in words as I was, it was the only job I could do.” 

 

As he continued the air took on a bittersweet delight, the jovial mood tempered by the shared awareness of the New Media behemoth lurking outside.  Paxman remained defiant. Bypassing the experience flecked guests, he extolled the virtues of the “privileged trade” to a new generation. 

 

“While there are signs that broadcast media is in a bad state, if you like words and communicating there is nothing better.”

 

“Plus in no other profession are you surrounded by such thoughtful, funny people.” 

 

And this is most important, “for behind every gargantuan ego” he finished, his humble wit intact, “there is a team of gargantuan egos.”
 

True dignity abides with him alone.

 

Ryan Mahan
Landmark Hotel, Marylebone
Thursday 23 April 2009

 

 

 

 

A Message from the Media Society President:

 

For the past 15 years the Media Society has paid tribute to the best of this country’s journalistic might; those journalists who we listen to; who we read; who we trust. Jeremy now joins that Honour Roll.  I am delighted to be presenting our new-look award; especially created by one of this country’s leading glass blowers-Peter Layton. We now have the right ‘icon’ to give to future winners. I want to pay a special tribute not only to all of you who have shared and supported this wonderful evening; but also to acknowledge the generosity of those who contributed to our goody bags.

 

Camelot, OffWestEnd.com, One Young World, Premier Foods, Prestat’s Milk Choxi & Minibar, Prospect Magazine www.prospect-magazine.co.uk, Thomson Reuters, Sandoe Book Store, SpaceNK; The Independent www.theindependent.com

 

Geraldine Sharpe Newton