Kay McGrath has an opinion piece in the Sunday Mail defending unnamed colleagues for their reporting style during coverage of cyclone. After several paragraphs of platitudes about traditional media vs the “digital storm” her argument is restricted to
Specifically targeting television presenters for putting themselves “in danger” and “over acting” is unfair.
I can’t defend the occasional “over acting”, but I can assure you we don’t put ourselves in unnecessary danger. If we don’t deliver fast-paced, seat-of-your-pants, front-row seats to news events, we’re also criticised.
What we try to do is take you as close to the action as we can while remaining safe, factual and informative.
And later
I admire my colleagues, both in front and behind the scenes, who manage to stay (relatively) cool, calm and measured under extraordinary circumstances.
Almost no support for her point of view in the comments posted so far. Here are just a few
Kay, I think it was very courageous of you to try to defend the indefensible.
Kay - not sure what planet you are on but watch a re-run of Paul Burts coverage from Bowen then read your article again.
There is absolutely no need for your reporters to be standing outside in the middle of a cyclone, with debris flying around them. It is dangerous and foolhardy.
Utter garbage from someone who should know better !
This was only and all about ratings for these idiotic TV networks who put their presenters at risk whatever the consequences plain and simple!
Sorry Kay, not buying it. What makes television reporters exempt from staying out of harms way.
The area from Cardwell north to the top of QLD (incl. Cairns) is Far North QLD.
Cardwell to Bowen/Whitsundays (incl. Townsville) is North QLD.
South of the Whitsundays (incl. Mackay & Rockhampton) is Central QLD.
Although of course, I often hear the media (especially from interstate) call Rockhampton and Mackay areas “Far North Queensland”
Due to preparation/having family involved in the Cyclone, I’ve only just gotten back to the forum this weekend.
I certainly appreciated the live coverage here, as family only a few hours south of me were being severely impacted. (I had family affected by unexpected flash flooding, dialling 000 for help and being told no one was coming).
Anyway,
One thing I noticed during the coverage. 7 News Brisbane were using those “live clocks” on their coverage.
Obviously with the 30 minute delay due to local news, we’d tune in at 6:30 as 7 News Brisbane was starting and see “Live 6:00pm”, which was expected.
However, “live” updates later on in the night on 7 would air at 9:50pm with “LIVE 9:23pm” on the screen. None of them were ever actually live in Regional QLD.
Yeah, that map is very close to what is used locally.
Although, no-one says “the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday district”.
While growing up there, Mackay was always called the Central Coast (i.e. Central QLD), and the Whitsundays was always considered North QLD.
The Isaac region forms apart of a much larger area than indicated known as the “Central Highlands”, and is again called Central QLD.
I’ve always been told postcodes of 48xx are Northern QLD postcodes, and 47xx are Central QLD postcodes. Which lines up perfectly with local perspectives.
True, that map is from the Business Queensland site, so separating out Mackay and the Whitsundays into their own area might be an effort to avoid it being grouped with Townsville and/or Mackay.
My original comment was directed at Malcolm Turnbull who referred to the cyclone hitting north Queensland. Part of the cofusion probably arose as the original forecasts had the land crossing in the Ayr Townsville area.
Apart from the locals not referring to the area as North Queensland BOM doesn’t either.
I would like to see the commercial TV networks in Queensland produce a joint flood and cyclone relief telethon that is broadcast on the primary channel of the commercial networks throughout the state bringing together the talent and resources that were seen during the recent coverage to raise money for the affected communities.
If possible, the regional networks could also contribute as well as commercial radio. The ABC may not be able to broadcast the event but they should be invited to participate.
If Queensland is similar to NSW, the definition of broad region areas are not consistent amongst organisations. Wollongong is in the Illawarra but included in the South Coast by some. Bega and Eden and supposedly part of the South Coast but that area is also known as the Sapphire Coast and the Far South Coast. Really, is anyone much in Queensland complaining about where Nth Qld starts and ends?
Pronunciation note to news readers - the residents of the NNSW town of Tumbulgum rarely refer to their home town as Tumble-gum but rather emphasise the second syllable rhyming with it with gull so it is more like Tumm-bull-gm.
Rockhampton is expected to be inundated today, according to the BBC.
[quote]Authorities described the threat to Rockhampton as a major flood event.
“This body of water is incredible,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“It has to go out somewhere and it’s coming through the Fitzroy.”[/quote]
And yet, according to the online streams, hit and Triple M Central Queensland are running with networked programming, with 4RO taking the Alan Jones highlight hour. Quite the contrast to Mackay, which dumped all networking days before Debbie hit
but rather emphasise the second syllable rhyming with it with gull so it is more like Tumm-bull-gm.
