My Media: Paul Dunphy, Media and Communications Executive, Oxfam
12 May 09
Newspapers
For work I have to read most of the daily papers. It's almost impossible to read them all, so I have learned how to speed-read. My favourites are the Irish Times and the Irish Examiner. I particularly like Juno McEnroe in the Examiner. Last week he did a great two-page piece on Ghana, I think he does very good investigative writing. I also read the business pages of the Irish Independent. Brendan Keenan has a great viewpoint and I'm always interested in what he has to say. I keep an eye on the international papers, like the Guardian, and during lunch break I do admit to having a look at the New York Post. At the weekend, I like the Irish Times on Saturday. I have to say that I'm a fan of a poll or two, and often contribute to polls in the Business Post.
Magazines
Supplements-wise, I like the Irish Times Saturday magazine. I'm also big fan of Agenda magazine in the Sunday Business Post, it can be very different to the paper itself. In my own time I like Hot Press, they have a frontline section which is always very interesting and relevant to our work here. I also like The Dubliner for what's going on around town at the weekends, it's always an interesting read, and a bit of fun. I have a keen interest in interior design, so I buy and browse a lot of the home-style magazines like House & Home, and Dream Homes. I also like the fashion magazines Prudence and The Gloss, and I will admit to reading Heat on occasion, but I wouldn't buy it!
Books
I'm currently reading The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which is a fantastic read. The last book I read was Slumdog Millionaire. On the waiting list is a book called From Poverty to Power by Oxfam's Head of Research, Duncan Green. I also like horror, particularly Stephen King for a bit of good escapism. And I read a lot of autobiographies. Recently I read Hilary Clinton's autobiography, and Barbara Bush's autobiography was an interesting read.
Television
I am a fan of news programmes, and not just because of work. I tend to watch Euronews for an even and balanced view. I like the BBC News 24 channel. I'm not a fan of Sky News, they're a bit alertist. I like News on Two, on 2FM. Vincent Browne's Nightly News has sort of grown on me, though I didn't like it at the beginning. Outside of news, I wouldn't miss Shameless on Channel 4. I adore the writing and the acting, everyone in it is just superb. Mad Men on BBC4 is great, very stylish and so original as well. I do watch Big Brother, I promise myself every year that I won't, but I always do.
Radio
On the way to work in the morning, I listen to Morning Ireland. I'll miss George Lee, he's a great reporter. I like Tom Dunne on Newstalk, and Eamon Keane's lunch time show on Newstalk. In the evening I go between The Last Word on Today FM, and Drivetime on Radio One. Sometimes on a Friday I'd listen to On the QT on Q102. I enjoy The Saturday Editon and the Wide Angle on Newstalk, Karen Coleman is always very informative, and she covers a lot of interesting topics. Sometimes I'd listen to The Arts Show on RTE Radio One on Monday night.
Advertisements
I'm not a big fan of TV ads, I find them a nuisance when I'm trying to watch something. I do notice them more in print and on radio. There was a recent ad by Phantom FM that I enjoyed, I think it was called Raw Music. I saw it in some magazines, and I heard it on the radio. Oxfam Ireland plan to produce a radio ad for the new Trail Trekker campaign that we're doing. It's a theme challenge including teams of four on a 100km course with a time limit of thirty hours.
New Media
I use the web a lot for research. When I'm relaxing you can't beat YouTube for weird and funny clips, for instance Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent was good to watch. I like The View on America's ABC Channel. I keep an eye on the Oxfam Ireland YouTube page. I like Beaut.ie, it's an interesting fashion blog that keeps me up-to-date with the latest goings-on in fashion. Sometimes I use Facebook.
