Yes, there was a BBC News special on BBC One and News24 at 12.30pm today.
The verdicts came in at about 12.20pm and BBC One joined straight after the programme had finished with no trailers but straight into News24. Probably the BBC thought this was one of the best times for the result to happen!
Sky News have been covering this non-stop since the verdict was announced - the coverage of both Sky and News24 has been impressive.
Well I tuned into SKY News at 3.38pm a it said it was breaking news!?
SN
Steve Naylor
Yes, Sky were still using the Breaking News aston about four hours after the verdict! It changed from 'Archer Verdict Now' to 'Archer Guilty' to 'Archer Jailed'!
SN
SkyNews
Sky were using Breaking News strap for most of the afternoon.
The image that sticks in my head is:
BREAKING NEWS
Archer verdict NOW
The favoured corner of the screen graphics also returned. Following on from FMD, Spy plane & Slobba we had: 'Jailed 4 Years' with Archer's picture
[B]Just a word on Archer:
I carried out one of the first extensive interviews with Archer after he quit the race for London mayor following the NotW allegations. Even in that interview the lies, however minor, were present throughout.
It was very effective since the bottom of the screen had the strap & the graphic
BREAKING NEWS JAILED
Lord Archer Jailed 4
YEARS
The bottom of the screen informed viewers of all the main facts. With the Lord Archer line filling 2 of the normal lines of type on the strap
The news wasn't still breaking at 5pm though was it. Perhaps they need a new strap saying 'Broken News'
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SkyNews
So the special privileges have started already! How many convicted prisoners are given the freedom to walk down a road for 5 minutes - with the nation's media following every move. At least the Sunday papers have some new pictures!
I think we've had 4 deaths in connection with the Archer case in the past six months - strange.
BTW: Anyone seen the Sun's imaginary novel by Archer of life inside prison?
The Sun - ARCHER
He isn't getting any special treatment at all.
All convicted criminals are allowed day release in the event of a death in the family, it is standard practice.
The media just want to be in the action, which I think is very wrong indeed.
The networks and the press should show a lot more sensitivity towards him today, no matter what he has done in the past; his mother has died and it is not and should not be a national media event.