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The challenges of covering major news stories on mainstream TV channels

Posted on 25th February 2022 by Andrew Nairn
Last updated on 25th February 2022 Filed under Opinion

In an age of 24-hour news, major breaking stories can pose a dilemma. When should a major, developing news story lead to fundamental changes in the schedule? This dilemma has been brought into sharp focus by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In an era of fake news and deliberate disinformation – not to mention simple junk on the internet – the importance of reliable reporting by reputable news organisations cannot be overstated. But how should the schedules of a major channel change?

Simply inserting a news report into a junction is one thing and it is easy for BBC One to join the News Channel when a major story is actually unfolding. There are also protocols for events such as royal deaths.

Yesterday, while the news from Ukraine was of vital importance the actual developments as the day went on were gradual and sometimes confusing. BBC One kept with its normal daytime schedule. The News Channel, as usual, was being broadcast on BBC Two at the time.

This was probably the right practical decision at this point. When a news story which some may find alarming, is developing maintaining normality can help reassure those prone to undue concern – a concern stoked, no doubt, by sensationalist nonsense in some parts of the internet.

On the other hand, it did mean that BBC One was the only major PSB which did not show the Prime Minister’s recorded statement when it was released at 12pm.

Of course “addresses” by the PM have become common in recent years. They are part of Number 10’s communications strategy. Theresa May would often try to address the public directly from a lectern in Downing Street.

Yesterday’s statement by Boris Johnson was newsworthy and important but it was not, and should not, be compared to Prime Ministerial broadcasts at grave moments in Britain’s history. In other words, there is no requirement for such a statement to be shown live by all channels.

However are the old BBC daytime summaries missed? Even with the News Channel on BBC Two, would their return be appreciated?

That thought seems to have occurred to ITV which has been running hourly updates during its morning schedule. But maybe this actually highlights a problem for ITV?

VIDEO: the start of the five-minute 10am news update on ITV. Presenter: Lucrezia Millarini. TX DATE: 25th February 2022. COPYRIGHT: ITV plc.

When a big story breaks, those who want to watch ongoing coverage will switch to the BBC News Channel or Sky News. ITV News – despite excellent programmes and journalists and a superb website  – is not part of the world of 24-hour news broadcasting.

Yet, the chances are more people were watching the updates during This Morning than either of the two reliable UK news channels or the routine simulcast on BBC Two.

These ITV bulletins may have played a role in preventing disinformation simply because they would have been seen by people who are not news junkies.

Later in the day, the two main BBC One news programmes were extended and ITV changed the planned edition of the Tonight programme. As the situation in Ukraine develops, there will no doubt be more changes to the schedule – some at short notice.

But this sort of story highlights a dilemma for major general channels. On the one hand, they are THE most important source of reliable news for many people and help temper disinformation elsewhere.

On the other, they also provide friendship, entertainment and diversion.

These two roles can be contradictory and the equilibrium can shift. But maintaining it when big news breaks is vital.

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FEATURE IMAGE:

PICTURED: large explosion over Kyiv. COPYRIGHT: @OSINTtechnical.

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Tags: BBC, BBC News, BBC News Channel, ITV, ITV News, ITV plc, Lucrezia Millarini

Dates for the Diary

30th January: BBC Reporting Scotland moves to a temporary set. The programme will move back to a refurbished Studio C in the summer.

30th/31st January: BBC One East HD and BBC One East Midlands HD launch on satellite.

6th/7th February: BBC One West Midlands HD, BBC One East Yorkshire/Lincolnshire HD and BBC Alba HD launch on satellite. BBC One/Two Wales SD services close on satellite.

13th/14th February: BBC One West HD, BBC One South West HD, BBC One Channel Islands HD, BBC One London HD and BBC RB1 HD launch on satellite.

20th/21st February: BBC One North East and Cumbria HD, BBC One North West HD, BBC One Yorkshire HD and BBC Parliament HD launch on satellite. BBC One Scotland SD and BBC Scotland SD services close on satellite.

22nd/23rd February: BBC One South East HD launches on satellite.

February 2023: new set for BBC Midlands Today goes live.

13th February 2023: Sky Kids launches.

Q1 2023: BBC Chameleon branding introduced on air for BBC Weather, CBBC and CBeebies.

April 2023: BBC News Channel and BBC World News merge.

November/December 2023: World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23).

Q1 2024: SD versions of BBC channels close on satellite.

2024: BBC Four and CBBC go online-only.

2024: BBC Radio 4 Extra goes online-only.

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