News Programmes

[gynn]

In this country, TV news programmes have always adopted a position that scenes of dead and injured bodies should be kept to a minimum. They have shied away from other countries' tendency to show the victims of war or major accidents.

In recent weeks, there seems to have been a move away from this. The images of Gaddafi before and after his shooting are perhaps understandable, given his high profile, but other scenes from Libya and similar war zones now regularly appear, albeit with a warning that such images are about to be shown. Today, there are images on SkyNews of priests in Tibet who have set fire to themselves.

Is this a deliberate shift in policy, or are we just living in a world where such events are becoming the norm?

[garinda]

I don't know if there's been a deliberate shift.

There was that horrific, now infamous, photograph of the little girl, who was screaming and naked after an attack in Vietnam, from 1972, which was shown by the media around the world.

I have noticed the B.B.C. evening news does give a warning, if there are going to be images some could find shocking.

I'm not in favour of too much censorship. The news should report the reality of what's actually happening, in my opinion.

[emamum]

It wasnt the reporting that disgusted me, it was the actual events.

[groove]

Groove thinks that in todays world of media overload, the public have become de-sensitivised, Groove agrees the news should portay the sometimes unsavoury truth but thinks a warning is sufficient.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by gynn

In this country, TV news programmes have always adopted a position that scenes of dead and injured bodies should be kept to a minimum. They have shied away from other countries' tendency to show the victims of war or major accidents.

In recent weeks, there seems to have been a move away from this. The images of Gaddafi before and after his shooting are perhaps understandable, given his high profile, but other scenes from Libya and similar war zones now regularly appear, albeit with a warning that such images are about to be shown. Today, there are images on SkyNews of priests in Tibet who have set fire to themselves.

Is this a deliberate shift in policy, or are we just living in a world where such events are becoming the norm?

Can remember in the 60s, "Buddist Monks" were setting fire to themselves, a mention in the newspapers, a mention on the news, seemed to me twas all that was needed to "Get The Picture" it is a different world n aint always fer the better.

[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by cashman

Can remember in the 60s, "Buddist Monks" were setting fire to themselves, a mention in the newspapers, a mention on the news, seemed to me twas all that was needed to "Get The Picture" it is a different world n aint always fer the better.

Aye, that was in Saigon - although someone did set themselves ablaze in '68 in Prague, when the Russkies rolled in. Jan Pallack was his name, if I remember correctly (dunno about the spelling).

The worse TV report I recall was again a piece from the Vietnam war, when a South Vietnamese police colonel started shouting and screaming at a VC suspect being held by one of his men. The camera was about 5ft away when the colonel whipped out his pistol and blew VC's brains out. It was all captured on black and white film and shown on British news. I really don't think we'd see that today, although I know that lots of recent film is held by the BBC/ITV etc of people being shot dead, blown up etc,

[garinda]

There are positives, to showing on the news the reality of what's actually happening.

What would Bob Geldof done for the last quarter century, if Michael Buerk hadn't made his reports from Ethiopia?

[DaveinGermany]

The little girl in question was Phan Thị Kim Phúc, June 1972 & as to the head shot by Chief of National Police (R.o.V) Nguyễn Ngọc Loan that was Feb 1968. Both stark & emotive photos leaving a lasting legacy.

For their time they were both explicit & shocking, but the modern day World with it's instant access to far more graphic & direct pictures via the internet seems to have dulled the senses & made what was once considered not suitable for broadcast into an everyday & "acceptable" medium. As Cashy said, the World has changed but not necessarily all of it is for the better.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany

The little girl in question was Phan Thị Kim Phúc, June 1972 & as to the head shot by Chief of National Police (R.o.V) Nguyễn Ngọc Loan that was Feb 1968. Both stark & emotive photos leaving a lasting legacy.

For their time they were both explicit & shocking, but the modern day World with it's instant access to far more graphic & direct pictures via the internet seems to have dulled the senses & made what was once considered not suitable for broadcast into an everyday & "acceptable" medium. As Cashy said, the World has changed but not necessarily all of it is for the better.

In 1972 seeing breasts in the papers was seen as shocking.

Today we see 'em everywhere.

Nowadays some tits even get elected to parliament.

Allegedly.

[mobertol]

True in the derogatory sense of that word. Don't foret that as a species we are mammals - to demote that to something of less importance is to undervalue it's relevance to humanity...

Non of us would be here...

But for the grace of God...

[mobertol]

Paliamentarians?

Could be considered an alien race at times

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by mobertol

Paliamentarians?

Could be considered an alien race at times

What do ya mean at times

[groove]

Groove thinks terrorist organisations use the media as part of their campaign...The 9/11 attacks were timed to ensure maximum media coverage,as opposed to doing it in the middle of the night. This ensured the world would be watching,

[garinda]

Originally Posted by groove

Groove thinks terrorist organisations use the media as part of their campaign...The 9/11 attacks were timed to ensure maximum media coverage,as opposed to doing it in the middle of the night. This ensured the world would be watching,

Er...it was night-time, for half of the planet.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by garinda

Er...it was night-time, for half of the planet.

Not in Grooves world Rindi