TV3 News Reporting

MeatProduct

Two days ago I thought I'd give TV3 news a chance to see if they were covering world politics much. To say the least I was profoundly shocked by the crap they covered. One of the main stories they covered that day was of a woman with an obese child (in Ireland). The story was that the mother had applied to see a nutritionist a year ago but she had no yet got an appointment. Why see the nutritionist you may ask? Well it seems the mother wanted to know why her child was so heavy. As it happens her doctor told her that the reason her daughter is so obese is because she eats too much food. The mother then went on to say that she fed her child crisps and ice-cream. I'm still having trouble grappling with this.

There was some other crap on after that but it seems my subconscious has blocked that out in order to protect me.

Does anyone here take TV3 news seriously?

Nick

Raam

it's all a big joke really (TV3 news that is). The other story they had was about some FF minister bringing his own food (crab claws) to a pub. They even went to the pub and interviewed someone who worked there and had their reporter saying "This is the table where he sat... blah blah". Then they showed him having lunch somewhere else. I can't wait to see what they have tonight!

KR

MeatProduct

Originally posted by King Raam
it's all a big joke really (TV3 news that is). The other story they had was about some FF minister bringing his own food (crab claws) to a pub. They even went to the pub and interviewed someone who worked there and had they reporter saying "This is the table where he sat... blah blah". Then they showed him having lunch somewhere else. I can't wait to see what they have tonight!

KR

That's right! It was Minister Martin. Yes, what utter rubbish.

Nick

bonkey

Originally posted by MeatProduct
As it happens her doctor told her that the reason her daughter is so obese is because she eats too much food. The mother then went on to say that she fed her child crisps and ice-cream. I'm still having trouble grappling with this.

What are you ahving trouble grappling with?

There's three things here that I can see :

1) Some people in Ireland are that underinformed about nutrition.

2) Nutrition is such a big deal in Ireland that - despite Europe racing to catch up with the US in terms of obesity being the most serious health-issue (or one of the most serious, at least) - it still takes over a year to get an appointment.

3) That a news station would make a news article about either items 1 or 2

Don't get me wrong....its hardly the best way of presenting the story, nor is a single case in any way sufficient to make point 1 or point 2 in any meaningful way.....but surely its not that far out there?

jc

kmick

It is terrible some of the worst spin on stories ever.
RTE : Man dies in Car Crash
TV3 : Man crushed to death by Lorry - Dies Screaming (Probably)

MeatProduct

Originally posted by bonkey
What are you ahving trouble grappling with?

There's three things here that I can see :

1) Some people in Ireland are that underinformed about nutrition.

2) Nutrition is such a big deal in Ireland that - despite Europe racing to catch up with the US in terms of obesity being the most serious health-issue (or one of the most serious, at least) - it still takes over a year to get an appointment.

3) That a news station would make a news article about either items 1 or 2

jc

Well I'd have no trouble with that but they made no attempt to highlight those issues. They probably would if they could have shown that the mother actually did make an appointment with a nutritionist but I expect that she didn't. If she was that concerned by her daughters' weight she could have made an appointment with a different nutritionist!

It just boils down to terrible parenting while trying to shift the responsibility.

Nick

bonkey

Originally posted by MeatProduct
Well I'd have no trouble with that but they made no attempt to highlight those issues.

I would have said that a news report on the subject does highlight those issues. Yu've picked the key points from the article, related them to me, and they're the issues I see from what you've said. If the issues weren't highlghted, how did I come to these issues as opposed to (say) concluding it was an article about how stupid some people are (which is hardly newsworthy)?


I know I'm being picky, but I do get fed up of hearing news reports like "and the violence in Iraq continues.....today, X was blown up/shot/whateverm bringing the total this month to Y". The first sentence is nothing but space-filler. Its worse than space-filler. Its repetitious and pointless. I know the violence is continuing because they've just told me that something violent occurred. Now, if they didn't say it, would the article still highlight that the issue was occurring? Sure it would. If it was a report from an in-the-field reporter talking about gunfire and how tough life was, would that highlight it too? Again, I believe so.

Maybe its just me, but I sometimes think news is dumbed down too much. We not only are told whats happening, but we're also told what it means, so we don't need to think about it ourselves. I don't think thats a very good trend....I want to think about it myself.

They probably would if they could have shown that the mother actually did make an appointment with a nutritionist but I expect that she didn't.

Seriously? You think that when news reports interview an individual, they should then go and prove whether the individual was telling the truth or lying? How often do you see this done in media you don't think is pathetic?

If she was that concerned by her daughters' weight she could have made an appointment with a different nutritionist!

I didn't see the article, but I'm guessing she was going through the Health Service, so that option may not have been available to her?

It just boils down to terrible parenting while trying to shift the responsibility.

Perhaps. I'd agree that the vast majority of obesity problems are derived from insufficient education, particularly about nutrition.

But who's fault is it? The person for not finding out why they are getting fat, or the state for not making it more clear to them why so many people are getting fat, that there is something they can do about it, and so on?

(Although I'm sure that if and when the govt start doing this, we'll have the usual litany of "nannyism"-crying).

And if we blame the individuals, is it still not right that the government do something about it when it becomes a problem (which appears not to be the case from this article) , and failing that is it not rightt that media highlight both the issue (raising awareness) and that the government is failing to do its part?

Bear in mind...I haven't seen the article in question, but I do think that from whats being described here, the intention behind the piece is entirely correct for a news-show. The implementation may have been awful, but so far it doesn't sound like that....just that it was less than ideal.

jc

MeatProduct

Points taken Bonkey but I find myself in disagreement with you. I don't think the government should be responsible for telling parents how to look after their children, i.e. educating them that giving your child fatty food will make them fat.

I feel they did not highlight the issues. The report never said whether this mother was going through the health board or not. Also, this mother said that when she has the money she gets an ice-cream for her kid. If she was any way responsible she would save up the money and bring her to a private nutritionist. TV3 should have covered the lack of parenting rather then this nonsense story that utterly failed to point any kind of finger.

I'm aware it's not easy for you to comment on this since you haven't seen the report but it really did not say "the government is at fault" or even suggest what the real issue was other than show how irresponsible that mother was (which was not their intent I'm sure).

On the issue of the constant doom and gloom being shown on the news I very much agree with you. It would be nice to see some more positive stories but this is not it. That report left me amazed that a mother could be so irresponsible.

What are your views on the news reporting on TV3?

Nick

Genghis

I haven't seen TV3 news in a while, but I flicked on last week and noticed that they had a "news story" about Hells Kitchen, the ITV programme TV3 are simulcasting, and which had ended not more than 60 minutes before the report was shown. Not only was there no news story, they were attempting to promote a show they are running and dressing it up as news.

A continuing bugbear of mine is the TV3 news poll each night. Aside from the fact that my own view is that the broadcaster is meant to deliver information to the viewer (and not the other way round), such polls do not imho constitute news. The poll are always worded in a polarised way so that large numbers of texters and callers are driven to 'vote' one way or the other (or sometimes both). The main beneficiary afaics of this service is TV3 (revenue arising from the calls / texts).

bonkey

Originally posted by MeatProduct
Points taken Bonkey but I find myself in disagreement with you.

Fairy nuff.

I don't think the government should be responsible for telling parents how to look after their children, i.e. educating them that giving your child fatty food will make them fat.

We educate people to tell them that smoking isn't good for their health.

If that doesn't carry any weight, are you also saying that no aviodable ailment or condition should be covered by health-care? After all, if you're too stupid to educate yourself and avoid it, why should the tax-payer pay to make you better?

If not, then surely it is in the tax-payer's interest to try and minimise their cost by trying to educate people?

The report never said whether this mother was going through the health board or not.

Regardless. Even if it was private...a one year wait is unconscionable.

Also, this mother said that when she has the money she gets an ice-cream for her kid.

OK...so she's a not-too-well-off mother who just happens to be able to afford to book sessions with private nutritionist specialists, despite only being able to buy her kid treats "when she has money" ????

Either that, or she's on health-care.

If she was any way responsible she would save up the money and bring her to a private nutritionist.

You know you're only one step away from saying that if she was more responsible, she'd have been more successful in her life.....

TV3 should have covered the lack of parenting rather then this nonsense story that utterly failed to point any kind of finger.

And who do you think is going to fix the problem of poor parenting? You think the parents are going to see the news and go "Oh My Gawd! I'm just like her. I'm a bad parent. I should change"???

Its all well and good apportioning blame, but if you're not going to try and resolve the situation, pointing out to the people who don't care enough that the problem is that they don't care enough is kinda worthless, wouldn't you agree?

I'm aware it's not easy for you to comment on this since you haven't seen the report but it really did not say "the government is at fault" or even suggest what the real issue was other than show how irresponsible that mother was (which was not their intent I'm sure).

Don't you find it at the least highly co-incidental that you see the article highlighting what you see as being responsible (the parents), and I'm seeing the article doing likewise (the government).

How brilliant an article is that? It actually plays to both of our political beliefs. You see a news article blaming stupid parents for being stupid. I see (figuratively in my case) a news article highlighting what I already knew - that there are stupid peoiple doing stupid things - and what I also believed - that the government aren't doing enough to deal with the issue.

On the issue of the constant doom and gloom being shown on the news I very much agree with you. It would be nice to see some more positive stories but this is not it.

Not quite what I was driving at, but I agree on both counts.

What are your views on the news reporting on TV3?

From when I have seen it, I always got the impression that TV3 have no major interest in trying to usurp the established news bulletins that have had the public's interest for decades (e.g. RTE1 and the radio).

They are fulfilling their news obligation by offering alternate news stories somewhat. Headlines..fine...but once you go outside that, its a case of trying to find something that catches people's interest and that they won't see on the established news, but without spending a fortune they don't have on it.

jc

<edit : removed spurious line>

MeatProduct

Originally posted by bonkey
We educate people to tell them that smoking isn't good for their health.

Yes but I think it's fair to assume that eating a lot of fat food might make a child fat. Money does not need to be wasted on educating the public on that kind of issue.

Regardless. Even if it was private...a one year wait is unconscionable.

That's point is only valid if it was through the health board. Since TV3 did not say I can only assume they have no story here.

OK...so she's a not-too-well-off mother who just happens to be able to afford to book sessions with private nutritionist specialists, despite only being able to buy her kid treats "when she has money" ????

My brother visited one for E40. If she didn't buy the ice-cream and crisps for a month then she could easily afford it I would think.

You know you're only one step away from saying that if she was more responsible, she'd have been more successful in her life.....

I would never say that and I do no feel I insinuated it.

Its all well and good apportioning blame, but if you're not going to try and resolve the situation, pointing out to the people who don't care enough that the problem is that they don't care enough is kinda worthless, wouldn't you agree?

I'm not trying to resolve anything here, I wanted to hear peoples thoughts on TV3 News. I do agree with your point.

Nick

bonkey

Originally posted by MeatProduct
I would never say that and I do no feel I insinuated it.

Didn't mean to say that you had....I meant to say that you should at least recognise how close the comments are together.

I'm not trying to resolve anything here, I wanted to hear peoples thoughts on TV3 News. I do agree with your point.

Apologies....didn't intend to sidetrack so much.

I guess I just amn't too much in agreement with your example of what constitutes poor reporting, but lets leave it at that.

As I've already said...I don't watch enough TV3 (living abroad an all) to offer anything more on their quality than what I've already said.

jc

Tuars

As far as I can see TV3 only have a news programme because they're forced to by law. If they had a choice they'd throw another failed US drama series in the timeslot instead.

Cork

I think Carol Coleman of RTE deserves an award for covering the US. How a reporter can cover the US beggers belief.

TV3 news,SKY news Ireland & TG4 news provide choice.

TomF

I saw a TV3 newscast that warned of the onset of pollen season and the danger of hay fever. For some time now, I have thought that the stable of news babes on TV3 all had hay fever or something like that which was causing them to talk through their noses to such a degree. Surely there are no speakers in the Republic whose voices have more nasal reverberance. They would make great shan nos singers.

Raam

it's not just TV3 who are guilty of shoddy and meaningless reporting. On news.bbc.co.uk there is a piece about a problem with an air traffic control computer. Which is all well and good, but at the very bottom of the article the writer saw fit to include some quotes from passengers.

Passengers Monica and Gerald Godfrey - waiting for a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Toronto - told BBC News Online their flight had been delayed by the problems.

The couple said they would have a cup of tea and relax after checking in.

"It depends on how long the delay is," Mrs Godfrey said, "we might get a little uptight."

Mr Godfrey added: "But at the end of the day there's nothing we can do about it.

"As long as there is an aircraft and someone waiting for us at the other end we'll be fine."

This adds nothing to the article and is completely devoid of any newsworthy information

KR

Victor

Originally posted by King Raam
This adds nothing to the article and is completely devoid of any newsworthy information

Is it what they call a "human interest" piece?

The storey about the kid (age 4(?), 6 stone - and I thought I was overweight) would have been much better as a child abuse storey. While governments need to inform people on healthier eating and living, I think a GP could easily have told the parents in this case "less food, more exercise".

dahamsta

Originally posted by MeatProduct
One of the main stories they covered that day was of a woman with an obese child (in Ireland). The story was that the mother had applied to see a nutritionist a year ago but she had no yet got an appointment. Why see the nutritionist you may ask? Well it seems the mother wanted to know why her child was so heavy. As it happens her doctor told her that the reason her daughter is so obese is because she eats too much food. The mother then went on to say that she fed her child crisps and ice-cream. I'm still having trouble grappling with this.

I saw that story, it was pure Star stuff. They had the child in the background stuffing her face, and I'd lay a tenner down they asked her to do it. Utterly pathetic reporting, the people behind it deserve a good slap.

adam

Magnolia_Fan

For such a crap news show it seems like alot of people who use this actually watch it...I watch it sometimes but only because I work at 6 O'Clock so I don't see RTE news...Nobody mentioned Network 2's news coverage thats equally poor, Sharon is easy on the eye and all but she isn't a great anchor

Quatre Mains

TV3 news is pretty crap for the most part. It has a 30 min slot, but if you take away the weather ansd all it's 'shout-outs' to grannies around the country, the ads in the middle, and the crap poll, there's not a whole lot of time to fill.
I cannot remember ever seeing a TV3 newsreader interview anyone live except one of their own reporters.
As to the content and style of reporting, there's no contesting that if RTE Six-One is the Irish Times, they are the Irish Sun. They are heavy on sport and entertainment(remember they even used to have Lorraine Keane in every day with her own entertainment slot), and so-called human interest stories like the one discussed in this thread. The ad for Tv3 news drives me mad as well, the way Cantwell talks about the good news stories sounds so patronising, grrr! I bet he pats people on the head. They also make sure the female news presenters are attractive (usually anyway) - is it just me or does Claire Byrne have a bit of an 80's porno star vibe about her with the big make up and hair (maybe I need help), and most men would say Grainne Seoige was a top babe.
All the same, there's no denying a lot of people prefer to read tabloids, so why shouldn't there be a tabloid news? TV3 don't get any of our license fee so its not like they have a responsibilty or duty to provide us with a particular type of coverage.

Raam

Originally posted by Victor
Is it what they call a "human interest" piece?

I didn't see much interest in reading that someone had a delayed flight and got a cup of tea!

The interesting part had already been reported earlier in the article (the fact that they were trying to upgrade and had a wee problem).

In terms of style, the report started out as a normal informative piece and ended up like a human interest one (albeit with nothing interesting about it!)

KR