Newsreader & Reporter thread

SM

smw 10 April 2003 3:12pm

Brekkie Boy posted:

Square Eyes posted:

Katherine posted:

Why didn't ITV break their programming to show this? I kept flicking over to see which other terrestrials channels were showing these potentially historic scenes and BBC1 were the only ones that bothered!!

Because unfortunately, ITV don't have a secondary analogue service to which shunt their childrens programming on to. They had already devoted much of their days schedule to the war anyway, and as it is a constantly evolving situation it is impossible to predict when such a significant event may occur and whether to stick with rolling news or return to a normal schedule.

Surely you have to admit, that as a terrestrial commercial channel that ITV have devoted significant amounts of the ITV1 schedule to the war overall.

It's worrying that half of the BBC terrestrial output is deemed worthy of dropping. I was only thinking yesterday that the BBC would be better off with just one terrestrial channel - especially as Greg Dyke aims to "Cut the Crap"

That's hardly the point. They're not going to say 'Oh we can't show you this historic event as we couldn't possibly drop Ready Steady Cook and the Weakest Link'.

NG

noggin Founding member 10 April 2003 3:23pm

Brekkie Boy posted:

Square Eyes posted:

Katherine posted:

Why didn't ITV break their programming to show this? I kept flicking over to see which other terrestrials channels were showing these potentially historic scenes and BBC1 were the only ones that bothered!!

Because unfortunately, ITV don't have a secondary analogue service to which shunt their childrens programming on to. They had already devoted much of their days schedule to the war anyway, and as it is a constantly evolving situation it is impossible to predict when such a significant event may occur and whether to stick with rolling news or return to a normal schedule.

Surely you have to admit, that as a terrestrial commercial channel that ITV have devoted significant amounts of the ITV1 schedule to the war overall.

It's worrying that half of the BBC terrestrial output is deemed worthy of dropping. I was only thinking yesterday that the BBC would be better off with just one terrestrial channel - especially as Greg Dyke aims to "Cut the Crap"

I don't find it worrying at all. I think it is quite important that decisions can be taken quickly to broadcast major events to a large audience of terrestrial analogue viewers. The ability to move programmes between two terrestrial analogue channels allows real flexibility when these situations occur.

Many of the programmes that were not shown in favour of news coverage will no doubt be rescheduled.

RT

rts Founding member 10 April 2003 4:10pm

Special Coalition Television Channel

It's been announced that there is to be a new television channel for Iraq broadcast by coalition forces. The new station will go by the name of "Towards Freedom". Prime Minister Blair and President Bush have pre-recorded a statement to be broadcast.

Would the new channel also be carrying news reports from British/American jounalists? Which channel(s) do you think would be most appropriate to use for "TF".

DV

dvboy 10 April 2003 4:39pm

Four out of the five hours would be produced by the US, with one hour a day filled by UK foreign office material.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2934717.stm

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39079000/jpg/_39079823_blair_broadcast203ap.jpg http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/WORLD/meast/04/10/sprj.irq.newscast/story.bush.jpg

CA

cat 10 April 2003 7:33pm

Dave posted:

It was the BBC for me yesterday whenever I flicked to Sky News they just Kay rambling on about something with none of the sound from the pictures, while News 24 had Rageh at the foot of the statue I think once or twice he gave is phone to some people so they could say what they were feeling.

At one point Chris on News 24 said that the viewers from BBC One, World and our international stations had joined plus listeners from Five Live

for me, seeing that yesterday was worth the licence fee

I have to say, whether predictably or not, that I just cannot agree with the statements about the BBC outdoing Sky yesterday.

Sky pulled off a genuine exclusive and a remarkable coup in managing to smuggle their equipment in and keep it hidden from minders, other journalists and the authorities for an entire 3 months. It really was remarkable foresight - that they would have this piece of equipment just waiting for liberation day, and only use it when they thought it was safe. There were no such initiatives from the BBC, ITN, or indeed any other TV network I came across.

They are also the only ones anchoring a live evening news programme from Baghdad.

It wasn't like Kosovo in the sense that they were the only network broadcasting live pictures and with correspondents on the scene, others were using (admittedly Sky owned in some cases) cameras provided via APTN and Reuters, but they hadn't planned well enough to produce the sort of coverage that Sky had.

Another very impressive performance, I thought, and to say that Rageh Omar was better when you couldn't hear half of what he was saying and with his reporting bordering on wetting himself is, to me eyes, unfair. On the point of Rageh Omar, I genuinely do not understand what all the fuss is about - he really isn't *that* attractive, and his reports have been no-where near getting the attention of the world in the way that Peter Arnett's and most of David Chater's have.

JO

Johnnie 10 April 2003 9:31pm

David Chater is a top man.
And you will have to go a long way before thats forgotton.

David and the Sky News Team, once again proved why they are News Channel of the last two Years.
(I think this war has won them there Third Year)

ST

Ste Founding member 10 April 2003 9:52pm

Ragah Omar allways seems abit full of himself really, and has he ever been seen without his top button undone exposing his chest? I dread to think what will happen when he hears t-shirts are being made of him

David Chater has been really good though and it was great to see him saying what he wanted yesterday with a huge smile on his face welcoming the troops. This guy definatly deserves a peaceful holiday somewhere! anyone fancy designing a David Chater Sky News t-shirt

?

Ste

TV

tvmercia Founding member 10 April 2003 9:52pm

c@t posted:

On the point of Rageh Omar, I genuinely do not understand what all the fuss is about - he really isn't *that* attractive, and his reports have been no-where near getting the attention of the world in the way that Peter Arnett's and most of David Chater's have.

at last, i thought i was the only one to think rageh omar was nothing special. he comes across as a whinging nobody, he has no on-screen presence and very little authority (be it physically or the way he holds himself).

i find myself switching over every time this silly little man comes on.

RI

richardhall99 10 April 2003 9:58pm

Although I only have the terrestrial channels there have been a few reporters that have stood out over the past two weeks and a bit. Ther are;
Bill Neely - seems to get everything in the Basra area and all reports are of a high standard
The C4 female reporter - Only caught glimpses of her but she seems to be very authoritative and in control, never flustering in live links
James Bays - always had a high opinion of him and have been suprised that none of his reports have not been pooled. good report from Sadames palace tonight

I was expecting the BBC to use more of John Simpson, although he wasnt in the greatest position after his baning order by the Iraqis, his friendly fire report was brilliant though

ST

Ste Founding member 10 April 2003 9:59pm

tvmercia posted:

c@t posted:

On the point of Rageh Omar, I genuinely do not understand what all the fuss is about - he really isn't *that* attractive, and his reports have been no-where near getting the attention of the world in the way that Peter Arnett's and most of David Chater's have.

at last, i thought i was the only one to think rageh omar was nothing special. he comes across as a whinging nobody, he has no on-screen presence and very little authority (be it physically or the way he holds himself).

i find myself switching over every time this silly little man comes on.

Scud Stud? What a joke. Has he really been a Baghdad corrospondent for 6 years like he says? Im sure ive seem him as Africa corrospondent and also saying he was Kabul corrospondent.

Ste

LO

Londoner 10 April 2003 10:03pm

Obviosuly he hasn't been reporting continuously from Baghdad for 6 years, but he has done several stints in the city

I remember about 5 years ago watching his reports from Baghdad on BBC World when the UK and US bombed the city then and we seemed to be on the brink of war at that point.

RE

Re-it-er-ate 10 April 2003 10:27pm

James Hatts posted:

Obviosuly he hasn't been reporting continuously from Baghdad for 6 years, but he has done several stints in the city

I remember about 5 years ago watching his reports from Baghdad on BBC World when the UK and US bombed the city then and we seemed to be on the brink of war at that point.

I can remember that - it was in 1998, just as the UN Weapon Inspectors left Iraq again. He was on quite a bit with Anna Ford on the Six O Clock News.

(February 2003)