NL
There was back then still a high level of calm professionalism in the journalism industry. My theory is that its possible that the journalists of the time in the UK still had the experience of Diana's death 4 years earlier and fell back on that.
Its well known that tv and radio stations have "obit lights" which will light up if an when the Queen passes away (I don't know if the lights flashed when the Queen Mother died in 2002)
https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/britains-tv-radio-stations-have-plan-for-queens-death.html
Now of course there was no way that the attacks could have been predicted but the passing of the Queen can be predicted so its possible that the prior experience of Diana's death coupled with the obit light training may have created a collective "journalistic muscle memory".
There is also the possibility that every journalist was in shock.
Its well known that tv and radio stations have "obit lights" which will light up if an when the Queen passes away (I don't know if the lights flashed when the Queen Mother died in 2002)
https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/britains-tv-radio-stations-have-plan-for-queens-death.html
Now of course there was no way that the attacks could have been predicted but the passing of the Queen can be predicted so its possible that the prior experience of Diana's death coupled with the obit light training may have created a collective "journalistic muscle memory".
There is also the possibility that every journalist was in shock.
Last edited by Ne1L C on 15 September 2020 5:43pm
VM
The BBC World coverage has been available online for a long time, it was on the Internet Archive site. It’s the initial BBC News 24 coverage that remains unavailable.
I don't think it's been posted in this thread, but two extraordinary videos of a full day of BBC World have appeared on YouTube - I'm mystified why they've appeared recently after all this time. And yes there's the BBC Editors blog posts saying the BBC didn't have access to the output of World from the day.
https://youtu.be/vRGn4m9Xj7M
I think I've worked out that 25 min 40 is the TOTH each hour. Also a reminder of how slick Nik Gowing was.
And
https://youtu.be/NuDQ1x3RuHs 37 min is TOTH here. And I note that World took News 24 overnight including its countdowns?
https://youtu.be/vRGn4m9Xj7M
I think I've worked out that 25 min 40 is the TOTH each hour. Also a reminder of how slick Nik Gowing was.
And
https://youtu.be/NuDQ1x3RuHs 37 min is TOTH here. And I note that World took News 24 overnight including its countdowns?
The BBC World coverage has been available online for a long time, it was on the Internet Archive site. It’s the initial BBC News 24 coverage that remains unavailable.
BB
The obit lights at IRN weren't activated when the Queen Mother died, due to a now infamous cock-up.
Its well known that tv and radio stations have "obit lights" which will light up if an when the Queen passes away (I don't know if the lights flashed when the Queen Mother died in 2002)
The obit lights at IRN weren't activated when the Queen Mother died, due to a now infamous cock-up.
GE
There is a YT clip of BBC1 interrupting a programme mid-way through to go to News 24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFd_VO8zQ0w
And this clip from the start of a News 24 special on BBC1 with Gavin Esler and Michael Buerk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sNmvTv8MVM
In the first clip, it's not entirely clear what Tony Blair is talking about, but it seems to be entirely unrelated - not exactly the best start to a news report.
And I highly recommend turning on YouTube's auto-generated subtitles for the second one.
thegeek
Founding member
There is a YT clip of BBC1 interrupting a programme mid-way through to go to News 24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFd_VO8zQ0w
And this clip from the start of a News 24 special on BBC1 with Gavin Esler and Michael Buerk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sNmvTv8MVM
In the first clip, it's not entirely clear what Tony Blair is talking about, but it seems to be entirely unrelated - not exactly the best start to a news report.
And I highly recommend turning on YouTube's auto-generated subtitles for the second one.
BH
That's something that's bothered me about TV dramas featuring news reports over the years, the actors playing the newsreaders/reporters tend to have this manic breathless energy to them which sounds nothing like a real news broadcast. I forget which American station it was, but when the second plane hit you can hear commotion in the studio followed by a calm "That looks like a second plane..." from the lead news anchor, perfectly composed despite what had just happened.
I often revisit the brilliant 2003 mockumentary 'The Day Britain Stopped' which features real newscasters from all the main channels and Sky in the real studios - they're all completely believable throughout, and a masterclass in how to sound like you're reporting breaking news from those who do it for a living.
BillyH
Founding member
What amazes me the most watching these videos, after almost 20 years, is how calm, collected and professional all the anchors/presenters were, not just British but American as well.
I can only imagine how over the top dramatic the coverage would be if something like that happened today.
I can only imagine how over the top dramatic the coverage would be if something like that happened today.
That's something that's bothered me about TV dramas featuring news reports over the years, the actors playing the newsreaders/reporters tend to have this manic breathless energy to them which sounds nothing like a real news broadcast. I forget which American station it was, but when the second plane hit you can hear commotion in the studio followed by a calm "That looks like a second plane..." from the lead news anchor, perfectly composed despite what had just happened.
I often revisit the brilliant 2003 mockumentary 'The Day Britain Stopped' which features real newscasters from all the main channels and Sky in the real studios - they're all completely believable throughout, and a masterclass in how to sound like you're reporting breaking news from those who do it for a living.
BA
Bananas
What amazes me the most watching these videos, after almost 20 years, is how calm, collected and professional all the anchors/presenters were, not just British but American as well.
I can only imagine how over the top dramatic the coverage would be if something like that happened today.
I can only imagine how over the top dramatic the coverage would be if something like that happened today.
That's something that's bothered me about TV dramas featuring news reports over the years, the actors playing the newsreaders/reporters tend to have this manic breathless energy to them which sounds nothing like a real news broadcast. I forget which American station it was, but when the second plane hit you can hear commotion in the studio followed by a calm "That looks like a second plane..." from the lead news anchor, perfectly composed despite what had just happened.
It sounds like you're talking about Charlie Gibson on Good Morning America. He keeps his cool, as does Peter Jennings who takes over shortly afterwards for about 15 hours straight.
MO
Charlie Gibson was also one of those consumate calm professionals. As was CNN's Aaron Brown. Mr Brown had recently left ABC News and was about to start for CNN when 9/11 and he was rushed on air to anchor and he was know for his thoughtful calm writing style. Zero bombast. All that has been washed away.
Dan Rather interviews a famous Chicago local news anchor, Carol Marin, who at the time was reporting for CBS News and was caught in the building collapse. She was interviewed on set with Mr Rather covered in dust and debris. It was shocking to see at the time.
Just this week Mrs Marin just announced her retirement from WMAQ NBC 5 Chicago after 48 years. On her retirement they were finally able track down the firefighter that saved her life that day. They dont make anchors like her anymore.
https://www.robertfeder.com/2020/09/14/beacon-journalism-carol-marin-says-shes-bowing-tv-news/
Dan Rather interviews a famous Chicago local news anchor, Carol Marin, who at the time was reporting for CBS News and was caught in the building collapse. She was interviewed on set with Mr Rather covered in dust and debris. It was shocking to see at the time.
Just this week Mrs Marin just announced her retirement from WMAQ NBC 5 Chicago after 48 years. On her retirement they were finally able track down the firefighter that saved her life that day. They dont make anchors like her anymore.
https://www.robertfeder.com/2020/09/14/beacon-journalism-carol-marin-says-shes-bowing-tv-news/
JA
Does anyone else think that the US news graphics look horribly dated? They feel like much older than 2001 to me, in fact the graphics and presentation of much of US TV in general has felt like behind the times compared to in Europe.
LV
Dan Rather interviews a famous Chicago local news anchor, Carol Marin, who at the time was reporting for CBS News and was caught in the building collapse. She was interviewed on set with Mr Rather covered in dust and debris. It was shocking to see at the time.
Just this week Mrs Marin just announced her retirement from WMAQ NBC 5 Chicago after 48 years. On her retirement they were finally able track down the firefighter that saved her life that day. They dont make anchors like her anymore.
]
Thanks for this. Wasn’t familiar with this name before. Led me to a fascinating read/watching old clips re her quitting as anchor in protest at dumbing down & finally the station hiring Jerry Springer for a commentary spot during her 10pm news broadcast. Seems like it was a huge media story at the time.
Dan Rather interviews a famous Chicago local news anchor, Carol Marin, who at the time was reporting for CBS News and was caught in the building collapse. She was interviewed on set with Mr Rather covered in dust and debris. It was shocking to see at the time.
Just this week Mrs Marin just announced her retirement from WMAQ NBC 5 Chicago after 48 years. On her retirement they were finally able track down the firefighter that saved her life that day. They dont make anchors like her anymore.
]
Thanks for this. Wasn’t familiar with this name before. Led me to a fascinating read/watching old clips re her quitting as anchor in protest at dumbing down & finally the station hiring Jerry Springer for a commentary spot during her 10pm news broadcast. Seems like it was a huge media story at the time.