Credit crunch

In February 2009, five business journalists were questioned by the Government's Treasury select committee about how far the media affected, as well as reported upon, the current financial crisis.

All five, including the BBC's Robert Peston, defended their reporting and claimed the media acted responsibly.

Robert Peston says he doesn't believe his reports lead to the collapse of Northern Rock, specifically by causing a run on the bank.

BBC's Business Editor, Robert Peston

He also points out that Northern Rock's troubles were already evident and that its collapse was not simply caused by savers taking out their money.

But what do you think?

Does reporting on some issues make them worse? Or should journalists be free to report the facts?

And should the consumers of those reports - readers, viewers, listeners - take some of the blame if they then act on them?

BBC Wear and BBC Tyne users and BBC Radio Newcastle listeners had a chance to question Robert Peston directly on the breakfast show phone-in on Friday 13 February 2009.

Earlier in the programme Robert Peston gave an overview of the region's economy and was challenged by the head of the Northern Rock Shareholders' Action Group, Dennis Grainger.

BBC Look North filmed the BBC's Business Editor answering some of his critics' questions, face to face. You can watch the report using the link below.

The BBC's business editor defends his record in front of an invited audience on a special edition of the Politics Show.

Mark Lobel from Newsnight travelled to Newcastle with Robert Peston. Read his account of the visit below, including their taxi ride with a driver with a sad Northern Rock connection.

Watch a behind-the-scenes video of Robert Peston's visit to the North East: