Is this necessary??

Casdon - Bridgend. You live in a beautiful part of Wales

I have often wondered why they do this.

How about the women reporters standing outside somewhere on any breezy day with the ubiquitous long dangly hair they all have these days constantly blowing across their faces.

I remember an incident at a school, and the poor reporter was stuck outside at nine o'clock at night; the place was in darkness, and no people about to interview for 'local colour.

It's called location shooting. Why make a fuss now they've been doing it for years and years. Storm whatever it's called didn't touch us where I live. A bit of wind during the night, no rain. Perfick. A bit of wind during the night sounds like the guy next door to me.

TV channels are totally ridiculous. I fully agree with you.
Also stupid channels sending reporters outside Buckingham palace when no one is in just because it’s a ‘royal’ story!
Outside No. 10 in the dark when obviously no one of any consequence will be seen?
The worst are the pro terrorist journalists reporting from only Gaza! Never showing the destruction caused in Israel!
Israelis being bombed every day
Israelis made homeless
Forgotten nova festival victims even the British ones
Forgotten raped and murdered children in burnt out kibbutz!
All unnecessary all sad

Baggs

*A poor man in NI was literally being blown physically several yards whilst reporting.*

It's not necessary but it does make the point rather dramatically. And that's why they do it. Shrug.

Exactly! Some people will need the advice not to go out if they see conditions on TV. There are two women I count as neighbours who are both older than me and they both went out in their cars as the storm was raging. They're both home now but that's not the point.

Must cost the BBC a fair amount kitting out its reporters with waders, cagoules or whatever - all in the interests of live on-the-spot reporting. We bring you the news and only if you can actually see it will you be able to believe it.

Here in North Devon, we got off very lightly,at least inland. I’m not so sure about the coast…

I once saw a male news announcer (either Sky or BBC, can’t recall) ask a female reporting on floods to move her umbrella out of the way as he couldn’t see her face during heavy rain. I was incensed.

In South East we were lucky, but people panicked because of the forecasts. We were due to have our handyman round to replace a sleeper, we had clear blue skies and sunshine with no wind, but he insisted on putting it off until tomorrow when it will rain for much of the day!

I think seeing a younger man being blown about would be an excellent deterrent for some (foolish) old people who think they can do as they please and think it ‘can’t be that bad’. The reporter must have felt he could cope and probably saved a few lives and kept hospital beds free for people who were unwell. I know if I saw that I’d definitely not venture out! Seeing is believing!

I have always found it ridiculous reporters standing outside, No 10 especially, whatever the weather. But I absolutely hate with a passion the sending of BBC TV newsreaders to far flung places when we have amazing reporters in situ. I think the worst I saw was Clive Myrie interviewing Lyse Doucet with Clive practically reading his questions from his tablet !!! She is the BBC's Chief International Correspondent and Senior Presenter for World News and can speak for herself. Oh I could go on and on about this topic BUT my Blood Pressure might not take it

If the general public have been told to stay indoors, then the same should apply to reporters.

In reasonable weather conditions, I can better understand why a reporter stands outside a court-house or other public building. After all TV requires some sort of back-drop, and can you imagine the complaints if they just sat on their behinds in a television studio?

I think they do it to show it isn't fake news. They send the camera people there anyway to show the weather conditions on site because people need to see things with their own eyes and know it isn't AI fake footage of a made-up place.

However, no one mentions the sound and camera crew who are equally at risk but do it because it is their job!

Lathyrus3

I was thinking the same thing Babs.

Actually I’ve never understood the News items when they go from the studio announcer to someone outside Downing Street or whatever, in order for them to say what could have just as easily been said in the studio. (Or not bothered with at all!!!!)

I always think it is stupid to put a reporter out on the street to do a piece to camera with people moving around them and road noise drowning out what they are saying. They must have some studio space available or even a nearby office vestibule.

Sunday morning in my part of S.Wales and wind and really heavy rain making it really nasty and, in some places, dangerous - lots of trees either side of my access lane, already full of potholes!!

glammagran

I once saw a male news announcer (either Sky or BBC, can’t recall) ask a female reporting on floods to move her umbrella out of the way as he couldn’t see her face during heavy rain. I was incensed.

That’s just the sort of thing I can imagine the dreaded Charlie Stayt doing!

Yes I think the BBC and other channels could save a lot of money by not sending their ‘ top’ people to places where they already have reporters, both at a local level and internationally. Not to mention the additional risk, whether that be extreme weather conditions or war zones.

It's journalism. It's what journalists/reporters do and enjoy. It creates drama. I can remember when I worked at the BBC the buzz the reporters got from being live on camera and the stories they came back with. Journalists are risk-takers.

I've often wondered the same! Being advised to stay home, stay safe and they are out reporting plus camera crew seems stupid. Practice what you preach springs to mind!

How can someone become a reporter if journalists are not allowed to report outside their home territory, which could be quite small.

In war-torn areas there are frequently no local journalists, or those there who are born and live their can be threatened and coerced by local governments or just local people.
It takes an outside repoter, coming in with no ties to report openly on everything that is happening.

Reporters who have travelled around bring more knowledge and experience to the job.

I value the reporting and thoughts of Fergal Keane highly, becaus ehe has been reporting on wars for 30 years or more and his reporting is informed by that experience, as well as his background pieces.

I agree with you Babs, I get scared for them and the crew.
The thing that really annoys me is that on the rare occasion I
watch This Morning and see the beautiful locations they go to to advertise a competition at nearly £3a time is annoying so is the greedy pair on the sofa who jump on any product to add to their stash, clothes, make up one of the many dishes at various stages to produce one meal, it should be called “I’ll Have That.
Now Alison on holiday in America with son in tow. Name how many celebs whose son is an add on, not seen so many girls perhaps they want to make their own way.

I suppose I feel that News has become much more like Drama.
An entertainment.

I agree that some of the overseas reporters can bring an independent perspective to what is taking place in the world but even that nowadays is selective in terms of the entertainment value it provides. I had to stop myself using the term “event” there. A war or shooting is not an “event”.

As far as National or local news is concerned I don’t need to see a reporter outside the house in which a family has been murdered interviewing a random attention seeker who fancies their spot of fame. Or the reporter in the windiest spot they could find being blown about. It wouldn’t surprise me to catch a glimpse of a wind machine on the side.

I have actually been present when a tv crew persuaded people present to stage a fight for the cameras. And on another at a hospital where they accosted cancer patients, deliberately provoking anger or tears in pursuit of a “camera bite.”

My opinion of tv journalism and its management is not high.

weeducky

I have always found it ridiculous reporters standing outside, No 10 especially, whatever the weather. But I absolutely hate with a passion the sending of BBC TV newsreaders to far flung places when we have amazing reporters in situ. I think the worst I saw was Clive Myrie interviewing Lyse Doucet with Clive practically reading his questions from his tablet !!! She is the BBC's Chief International Correspondent and Senior Presenter for World News and can speak for herself. Oh I could go on and on about this topic BUT my Blood Pressure might not take it

She is my favourite reporter.. I have such admiration for her