IT
itsrobert
Founding member
I can't quite believe what I'm watching either. On the one hand, I'm totally disgusted that the BBC have completely invaded this family's privacy and are eavesdropping on private telephone conversations. I think this is a new low in rolling news. However, it's so compelling I can't switch it off!!
GE
Not the way he barged into the conversation in the first place though.
The lady (Cynthia?) was brought to him by a reporter, though - presumably she knew what to expect.
thegeek
Founding member
Despite how odd this scenario is as a piece of television, Jon is handling the phone call thing really well.
Not the way he barged into the conversation in the first place though.
The lady (Cynthia?) was brought to him by a reporter, though - presumably she knew what to expect.
GO
Same here. I can't believe they just broadcast someone's private phone call!
I can't quite believe what I'm watching either. On the one hand, I'm totally disgusted that the BBC have completely invaded this family's privacy and are eavesdropping on private telephone conversations. I think this is a new low in rolling news. However, it's so compelling I can't switch it off!!
Same here. I can't believe they just broadcast someone's private phone call!
GS
Not the way he barged into the conversation in the first place though.
I didn't see that, but everything subsequent has been not uncomfortable to watch - if you know what I mean.
Its like being part of the milling throng. Everyone is so relaxed with him; and it's a credit to him. He's not drilling them with questions, just gently gathering facts and feelings.
He's brilliant.
Gavin Scott
Founding member
Despite how odd this scenario is as a piece of television, Jon is handling the phone call thing really well.
Not the way he barged into the conversation in the first place though.
I didn't see that, but everything subsequent has been not uncomfortable to watch - if you know what I mean.
Its like being part of the milling throng. Everyone is so relaxed with him; and it's a credit to him. He's not drilling them with questions, just gently gathering facts and feelings.
He's brilliant.
HO
They're here to report the news and developments - if there was any other way of them reporting it I'd say they definitely not be doing this
but
the alternative is to say "armed police have blocked off an area where someone of his description is".
Sopel handled that very well, as sensitively as possible, and has got a huge coup for the BBC, as well as other broadcasters. His reporting is also at his usual standard.
It does bring up the question, though, of where do you draw the line?
Sopel handled that very well, as sensitively as possible, and has got a huge coup for the BBC, as well as other broadcasters. His reporting is also at his usual standard.
It does bring up the question, though, of where do you draw the line?
LJ
All Sky are missing is an anchor at the scene. There correspondents are better placed than the BBC's. Imagine if Kay was there? 
GS
I get the sense (although I may be imbuing him with additional qualities) that had the man on the phone to his wife turned his back on Jon, he would have left him to his call.
But they're all standing there full-square to the camera, and I don't see any resistance to his presence and questioning.
Gavin Scott
Founding member
This is fascinating but I'm not sure whether intruding onto the family in question is right, but the daugther and indeed the mother, seem to be happy to talk to "the man from the tele" so I guess Jon's got to go with it. The family have a choice to stay away from the journalists...
I get the sense (although I may be imbuing him with additional qualities) that had the man on the phone to his wife turned his back on Jon, he would have left him to his call.
But they're all standing there full-square to the camera, and I don't see any resistance to his presence and questioning.
HO
I get the sense (although I may be imbuing him with additional qualities) that had the man on the phone to his wife turned his back on Jon, he would have left him to his call.
But they're all standing there full-square to the camera, and I don't see any resistance to his presence and questioning.
I agree completely, Gavin. And for what it's worth, I don't think Sopel crossed the line - he always called and asked the lady to speak to them, let her approach him and politely, respectfully and politely asked her to explain what was happening. The second the woman, and her mother, agreed to a conversation directly with Sopel it stopped being a private family matter and instead members of the public assisting the BBC.
This is fascinating but I'm not sure whether intruding onto the family in question is right, but the daugther and indeed the mother, seem to be happy to talk to "the man from the tele" so I guess Jon's got to go with it. The family have a choice to stay away from the journalists...
I get the sense (although I may be imbuing him with additional qualities) that had the man on the phone to his wife turned his back on Jon, he would have left him to his call.
But they're all standing there full-square to the camera, and I don't see any resistance to his presence and questioning.
I agree completely, Gavin. And for what it's worth, I don't think Sopel crossed the line - he always called and asked the lady to speak to them, let her approach him and politely, respectfully and politely asked her to explain what was happening. The second the woman, and her mother, agreed to a conversation directly with Sopel it stopped being a private family matter and instead members of the public assisting the BBC.