Music Downloads: That Interview in Full
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We journalists may not always get what we want. But we do often get what we deserve. So it was with Karen Bowerman, a rotating business correspondent on BBC's News 24 channel.

For she interviewed a minicab driver, believing him to be an expert on the internet music download business.

With the seconds ticking down to a studio discussion about a court case involving Apple Computer and The Beatles' Apple record label, a floor manager had run to reception and grabbed the unsuspecting cab driver, thinking he was Guy Kewney, editor of a specialist internet publication.

In reality, he was a minicab driver who had been waiting to drive Mr Kewney home.

Clearly bemused, the driver was fitted with a microphone and marched in to the studio. Lights, cameras, action, and he was quizzed live on air by the increasingly stumbling Ms Bowerman, who followed her prepared questions,

Despite knowing nothing about the case the driver gamely attempted to bluff his way through, speaking in a strong French accent. The cabbie's English left a little to be desired and the interviewer obviously missed the thrust of his comments, but ploughed on regardless, despite the nonsensical flow of the conversation.

Meanwhile, the real Mr Kewney watched indignantly on a monitor in reception.

The episode has already become cult among journalists throughout the UK, not least at the BBC, where a tape of the incident is not hard to come by if you know the right people (just about anyone).

Tragically, the identity of the driver remains a mystery. None of the taxi firms regularly used by the BBC would admit to employing him.

Which is a pity, really. He's a star.

The Interview in Full

You can watch the video by clicking here. But you may need the transcript as well:

KB: (Introducing cabbie as Guy Kewney) is editor of the technology website Newswireless.

Cabbie: (Face of horror, then a teddy bear expression of mischief.)

KB: Hello, good morning to you.

Cabbie: Good morning.

KB: Were you surprised by this verdict today.

Cabbie: I am very surprised to see this verdict to come on me because I was not expecting that. When I came they told me something else and I am coming. So a big surprise anyway.

KB: A big surprise, yeah, yes.

Cabbie: Exactly.

KB: With regards to the costs [of the legal battle] involved do you think now more people will be downloading online?

Cabbie: Actually If you can walk everywhere yoy are going to see a lot of people downloading the internet and the website and everything they want. But I think eh It is much better for development and eh to inform people what they want and to get the easy way and so faster if they are looking for.

KB: It does really seem the way the music industry's progressing now that people want to go onto the website and download music.

Cabbie: Exactly you can go everywhere on the cyber cafe and you can take, you can go easy. It is going to be an easy way for everyone to get something to the internet

KB: Thank you. Thanks very much indeed.

Colin Shanley

May 15th, 2006