This Morning

Personally, I think it was a betrayal of This Morning's heritage to ignore it altogether. As a programme it has always been in touch with the nation's psyche and for the average TM viewer that was a major story yesterday. Also, drink driving is the sort of issue This Morning should be tackling head on. If the hosts feel they can't discuss such an item because they feel too personally involved, I see that as an issue.

It remains a very difficult story for them to discuss live on air, whether they have friends involved or not.

It's a very different situation from Jamie Carragher, because in that instance no-one was arrested or charged and Jamie fronted up to what had happened very early doors.

In Ant's case, there is an active criminal case because he was arrested. That puts huge restrictions on what you can say. You certainly can't pre-judge guilt, because nothing should be broadcast which has the potential to influence a jury should it end up going down that road.

So how exactly do you discuss it apart from mentioning the latest with the show, and briefly touching on the latest with Ant? You can't just bring in paper reviewers who often aren't trained journalists who might rip into Ant. General discussions about issues involved in the case can come up, but you're walking a massive legal tightrope.

So the only other note of interest for the viewer is that Saturday Night Takeaway won't be on this weekend. And what's to be said about that? This week The Voice is moving forward. The following couple of weeks no-one knows for sure what's going to happen.

I don't doubt for a second that there's a lack of enthusiasm in covering the story, and there is probably a way to do it which would remain legally sound. It's just not as simple as many may think.

Ant has been arrested. That means proceedings are now 'active'. Legally you have certain responsibilities when reporting or discussing the case, and it becomes difficult to discuss them in a 'This Morning'-style manner, with reviewers giving opinions rather than facts. As soon as someone is arrested the proceedings become active, it's not just when someone has been charged nor when the case comes to court.




It's basic journalism law : http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/journalism/article/art20130702112133630

I understand the law, but it was discussed on GMB and Lorraine, and there are responsible ways to discuss it which aren't beyond This Morning's capabilities.

I think the statement on today's programme was adequate, but it came a day late and TM's integrity has taken a bit of a knock as a result.

It was discussed on GMB because that's a news programme staffed by journalists, and it's possible to discuss it in a newsy way which doesn't threaten to prejudice any court proceedings. GMB will be telling you the facts as they can report them. It's difficult to see how This Morning could produce anything of substance in a daytime show that doesn't involve opinion.

Lorraine coming on and commenting on the fact she was sure he'd back on air at the weekend probably underlines why it's a good idea not to let the daytime shows anywhere near it.

For me, coming on air the day after it happened, addressing the issues but making it clear to the audience that there are legal issues that may they can't discuss it at length, and then today issuing that statement, would have been the way to go. But the production team at This Morning are human and they'll be completely stunned by what's happened, trying to work out whether they should handle it at the same time as trying to get their show on the road as usual.

Oh please, have you actually ever watched 'This Morning'? This is the kind of story they love to exploit for clickbait. There is no doubt if Ant was not their mate they would have gone down their usual "SHOULD ANT BE SACKED!?" route. The fact that they haven't kinda shows what they really think of their own clickbait style. Piers Morgan is also noticably quiet.

I agree with JCB in that This Morning has become increasingly tabloidy over the years and this is exactly the story they'd jump on if it wasn't for a personal connection. I understand there are legalities to consider but I really couldn't see them avoiding this if it wasn't Ant. There's something I find uncomfortable about a magazine programme avoiding news because it involves a mate. If this is was something political it'd probably be considered a massive scandal.

Active cases are always incredibly high risk for broadcasters to cover. This Morning was almost definitely taking the safe option, rather than protecting an ITV employee. (Of course, as has been claimed, there is the possibility that they would have been more happy to take the risk had it not been someone from within ITV).

Would have been interesting to see how it was reported had this happened in Scotland, where contempt rules are extremely strict. Had Ant been involved in this alleged incident in, say, Edinburgh, and been arrested, the media would be instructed to not name him or share his photograph. The rule has been broken before in this regard and it doesn't go down well with the justice system, which is based on strict interpretations of French and Roman law. There's more flexibility with the English system, enabling journalists to get away with a bit more !

Indeed - you have to be incredibly careful. Jury influence is taken very seriously - and a discussion made on national TV about the case in a non-factual manner could have big ramifications for both ITV and the production team involved.



Yes - though equally it's also quite convenient for them as they don't have to address a tricky situation for ITV on a number of levels.

This Morning could have addressed it in a paper review, but that review would have stuck out like a sore thumb on the show (to keep the lawyers happy)

And Lorraine is a journalist!

It might be that in the old days Richard and Judy might have been more likely to cover it given that they are both experienced journalists, and possibly if the news broke on a day Eamonn was due to host? But as has been said there was nothing new to usefully add.

There as no reference to what had happened when Monday's show opened was there not? If it was any other celebrity who wasn't a close friend you can bet your house they would have led with what had occurred.

I can sense the ITV executives hands all over this. They have told all ITV hosts on live shows not to venture to far into this story as the ongoing investigation causes issues there. So Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women will be somewhat monitored over their comments on this, especially during this week ahead.