The Newsroom

Alan Johnston, missing journalist RELEASED

BBC Gaza Correspondent free after 4 months (March 2007)

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adamcobb55
Jonathan H posted:
adamcobb55 posted:
Yes let's be honest maybe the BBC wouldn't care so much if it was a Sky reporter that had been kindapped...

You grossly underestimate the close-knit nature of television journalism. 'Rival' crews look out for one another on the road, often help each other out, reporters often pool general information and know each other personally. It's not quite always the dog-eat-dog world people imagine it to be.

You're being very selective with my comment you've missed out the bit that says but if that had been the case would sky have done the same? absolutely. Please don't twist my words to fit the opinion you think I have
IT
itsrobert Founding member
mullet posted:
Propaganda? Was Alan Johnston armed, in a boat and in disputed waters? What a ridiculous thing to say. He's an innocent man who's been kidnapped and for all we know worse, nobody disputes that. That's what the BBC and other broadcasters have reported, it's not propaganda. They're absolutely right to keep up with the coverage, and all credit to other broadcasters for doing a simulcast, it's a good way of raising awareness. What else do you expect them to do, just let it drop?


Good points there, mullet. I think some people in this thread are not understanding the difference between, as you said, a navy crew who were "armed, in a boat and in disputed waters" who by their very presence in the Middle East have divided opinion, and an impartial, unarmed journalist who was merely reporting events to the world. Having seen Alan many times on BBC World, I can agree with some news reports that he was very well respected by those in the Middle East and his reports were always fair and balanced. Quite how some people can argue that his employer and people in his profession shouldn't campaign for his release by using their channels is beyond me.
JO
Jonathan
itsrobert posted:
mullet posted:
Propaganda? Was Alan Johnston armed, in a boat and in disputed waters? What a ridiculous thing to say. He's an innocent man who's been kidnapped and for all we know worse, nobody disputes that. That's what the BBC and other broadcasters have reported, it's not propaganda. They're absolutely right to keep up with the coverage, and all credit to other broadcasters for doing a simulcast, it's a good way of raising awareness. What else do you expect them to do, just let it drop?


Good points there, mullet. I think some people in this thread are not understanding the difference between, as you said, a navy crew who were "armed, in a boat and in disputed waters" who by their very presence in the Middle East have divided opinion, and an impartial, unarmed journalist who was merely reporting events to the world. Having seen Alan many times on BBC World, I can agree with some news reports that he was very well respected by those in the Middle East and his reports were always fair and balanced. Quite how some people can argue that his employer and people in his profession shouldn't campaign for his release by using their channels is beyond me.

Maybe you should read my posts. I don't believe a campaign would be fruitful. At the end of the day, it is up to the captors. In fact, by giving Alan all the media attention he is receiving, the opposite effect is happening. Maybe the captors will only release him when they realise the world has lost any hope in his return. Perhaps they are actually enjoying the attention and high-profile situation.
MU
mullet
So far as I'm aware no group has claimed responsibility, so this isn't giving anyone publicity.
JO
Jonathan
mullet posted:
So far as I'm aware no group has claimed responsibility, so this isn't giving anyone publicity.

Please don't tell me that group responsible is not aware of the furore it has caused.
JH
Jonathan H
adamcobb55 posted:
Jonathan H posted:
adamcobb55 posted:
Yes let's be honest maybe the BBC wouldn't care so much if it was a Sky reporter that had been kindapped...

You grossly underestimate the close-knit nature of television journalism. 'Rival' crews look out for one another on the road, often help each other out, reporters often pool general information and know each other personally. It's not quite always the dog-eat-dog world people imagine it to be.

You're being very selective with my comment you've missed out the bit that says but if that had been the case would sky have done the same? absolutely. Please don't twist my words to fit the opinion you think I have

I haven't "twisted your words", I quoted you directly! My point was not about whether there would be a simulcast if a missing journalist had belonged to another news organisation (which presumably we agree there would be) but about your comment:

adamcobb55 posted:
Yes let's be honest maybe the BBC wouldn't care so much if it was a Sky reporter that had been kindapped...

...and I am saying that they would , because of the very nature of how television news operates. OK? Rolling Eyes
BB
BBC LDN
Jonathan posted:
mullet posted:
So far as I'm aware no group has claimed responsibility, so this isn't giving anyone publicity.

Please don't tell me that group responsible is not aware of the furore it has caused.


I believe the point is that, given that nobody has yet claimed responsibility for this act, it is a weak argument to suggest that a unified appeal by global broadcasters for his return is in some way giving publicity to any particular group.

It would be a rather self-defeating exercise to be seeking publicity for a cause if nobody knows what the cause is, and to suggest that they might release him when the publicity fades - a premise that relies on the spurious assertion that this group is only holding him to gain publicity - makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Yes, the group itself will be aware of the furore that it has caused, but if no-one else knows who the group is, what good is all of this supposed publicity?

- - - - -

Incidentally, I've not seen it mentioned yet in this thread that, although the simulcast special is to be produced by BBC World, there will be packages from Al-Jazeera, CNN and Sky, as well as the BBC itself; there will also be live reports from Al-Jazeera, Sky and BBC reporters.

I've not seen any mention of the special broadcast being on CNN, despite their participation.
JA
Jamesypoo
The World Today coverage on today's events

Or view it here instead:
NE
Newsroom
CNNI are not taking this programme? Anyone know why not?
IS
Inspector Sands
Newsroom posted:
CNNI are not taking this programme? Anyone know why not?


I don't think they were ever going to show it, just contribute.

It is wierd to see Jeremy Bowen, Nour Odeh, Adam Boulton and Fiona Sweeny all on the same programme
NE
Newsroom
Oh ok!

Looking very good though. Interesting use of different astons across BBC, Sky and Al Jazeera.
PS
Psythor
How is this working on a technical level? Can all of the broadcasters access each others satellite feeds? Or is there a BBC camera crew at the foreign office filming Adam Boulton?

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