Not sure if this should go in the old Bird Flu thread, but last time I regurgitated an old thread, I got a wrist slapping. Anyway, say bird flu mutated to the human to human form in the UK, would the News Channels go off air and for how long. The public need to be kept updated on the situation, but surely there are measures to be taken. Also, how would the NC's cope, would there be news specials? I bring this up as the likelihood of this happening is growing day by day.
If there is (which is becoming increasingly likely), the news channels would definately stay on air. It would be a big test for them and their viewer ratings.
If it became VERY bad and extremely life threatening, they would probably switch to American studios.
And people seeing this subject title from the TVF homepage are likely to be shocked!
IF
and only if the H5N1 Virus mutatates does it poses a real threat to human life.
I suppose if there was an outbreak the NC's / Bulletins would give Government advice and PSB's (If it ever got to that stage).
Moving to American based studios would signify the worst case situation, but in theory it's possible.
I beleive Newsnight will have a series of special reports on Bird Flu in it's current form next week.
Channel 4 News did a very good peice on this the other day. They mocked up a few "Broadcasts" of the news been delivered, Updates etc.
How long do you reckon they'd shut their studios down for? Would they have reporters on location in Britain, or would it just be a news studio programme with multiple presenters etc.
How long do you reckon they'd shut their studios down for? Would they have reporters on location in Britain, or would it just be a news studio programme with multiple presenters etc.
To be honest, I doubt that it would
ever
get to that extent - after all, people do have to go about their everyday lives, and not everyone is going to be made to stay locked up in their houses all day long! Of course news channels would stay on-air.
I suspect the government advice on not to panic should be specially extended to journalists, particularly at ITN whose lunchtime news yesterday was more alarmist than a Daily Mail headline.
It's been reported that BBC staff will be in the primary category for receiving vaccines, in order to maintain broadcasting services. No one's been told officially though.
It's been reported that BBC staff will be in the primary category for receiving vaccines, in order to maintain broadcasting services. No one's been told officially though.
Is that all BBC staff, or is it just key ones to allow a skeleton service to run if, say, the worst did come to the worst?
It's been reported that BBC staff will be in the primary category for receiving vaccines, in order to maintain broadcasting services. No one's been told officially though.
Is that all BBC staff, or is it just key ones to allow a skeleton service to run if, say, the worst did come to the worst?
I guess it can be likened to one of my favourite films, Deep Impact. When a catastrophic event fell upon the world, MSNBC was still broacasting up to the last minute. Several of the main anchors and reporters were offered places of safety (some BBC staff will be given vaccines).
More4 News made a good point the other night - remember SARS?
A couple of years ago this disease, originating in the Far East, was going to kill millions world wide. The eventual death toll - 800!
IF
it does break in Britain, your not going to get hours up on hours of terrestrial specials as it will be a long term story, not a live unfolding event such as 9/11, London Bombings, Beslan etc.
Coverage will be comparable to the Foot and Mouth outbreak of a couple of years, and I imagine restricted mainly to bulletins and the 24 hr news channel. I wouldn't even expect a newsflash!
I thought that the outbreak in the uk had just started!