Beating the virus – how broadcast production has responded

19 May 2020

Beating the virus – how broadcast production has responded

As the global pandemic continues, broadcasters and production companies have had to find new ways of working to ensure that programmes can still be made. At the same time they are looking to the future to ensure that output can be maintained as the virus persists in posing a threat to people’s health. The AIB takes a look at some of the solutions broadcasters have adopted and at the way production guidelines for the coronavirus era are being developed. We’re focusing on the UK for much of this article; if you’d like to share experiences from other parts of the world, please do send us your stories: editorial [@] aib.org.uk.

The need to provide safe working environments for staff has led to innovation in production techniques for both live and recorded shows. In radio, many presenters are working from home, contributing via IP-based systems from makeshift studios in front rooms, studies and basements, with clever use of home furnishings to provide sound deadening (our picture shows Nick Robinson, one of the presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today current affairs programme, in his home). Presenters have come to realise that working from home can be good (access to one’s own kitchen is a particular benefit), but have had to adapt to cope with the arrival of refuse collectors who can be clearly heard through windows and dogs and children that demand attention. These are distractions that simply don’t exist in the usual studio environment. Occasional drops in Internet connections have also proved challenges with other presenters having to cover as links stubbornly refuse to connect. One BBC Radio 3 presenter due on air from home at 0900 was all set to go live when his router decided to disconnect from the Internet. After much shouting, swearing and cursing, he decided the only thing to do would be to dash from his home in North London to Broadcasting House to fire up a studio there to get on air, all the while ensuring social distancing was maintained. Definitely dedication, but perhaps not so good for the heart

It can be argued that radio is better placed to instigate remote production than TV. That has not stopped TV broadcasters from innovating successfully, with complex productions moved from broadcast studios into the homes of staff across the country. One example is BT Sport. It has developed a production system that has staff working from home in all parts of the country. From audio in a garage to an EVS operator in his front room and presenters building make-shift studios in their homes, the system harnesses VMix – a system developed by an Australian software company – to bring the production team and all remote sources together. You can see a short video about the way the system works above.

VMix is also being used by AIB Member BlackRook Media for production of factual programmes for a number of its clients. They have developed a demonstration programme that can be seen here and the system has been deployed for a range of live programmes around the world.

Inevitably with programmes that rely on contributions over the public Internet there can be problems. Audio goes out of sync and video quality can suddenly fall and in the worst case, the contributor’s link fails altogether. This means that producers must have contingency plans in place and flexible scripts to allow for these drop-outs to be covered, particularly in live programmes. Of course, these problems can occur in the gallery in studio complexes when outside sources suddenly disappear but it’s less common than faults that develop in the current environment when broadcasters are relying on home routers and Internet connections that can be throttled by ISPs.

This level of innovation demonstrates what is possible in challenging circumstances and the viewing and listening public is becoming more tolerant of on-air problems as an increasing number of broadcasters turn to new ways of producing output.

Moving beyond lockdown

As, thankfully, the number of COVID-19 cases starts to decrease in many countries, the media industry is looking for ways to return to some level of normality. In Germany, football matches kicked off for the first time in many weeks over the weekend of 16/17 May, albeit played behind closed doors with no more than 300 people allowed into the stadia. Broadcasters were able to take the first matches with OB trucks deployed, with extensive social distancing in place using perspex screens between individual production teams’ positions and a reduced number of staff in the trucks (see photo, via SVG Europe).

The German football leagues published an extensive health and safety document setting out the rules for everyone involved in matches, from players to broadcasters. Pages 30-37 of the document set out the way OB units would need to function with extensive social distancing. The measures included in this document show how any live broadcast needs to be operated in the new era and can be employed equally well in studio production areas as well as OB trucks.

In the UK, broadcasters published guidelines on 18 May for how productions need to cope with the challenges of coronavirus. These set out six areas that need to be considered for productions during COVID-19, including:

Specifically consider people at higher risk of harm
Heighten precautions for everyone at work
Reduce the number of people involved
Consider editorial ‘on camera’ requirements
Consider mental health and wellbeing
Feedback loop

The protocols also set out key points for assessing risk or considering controls, including travel, working patterns, equipment, first aid and mental health.

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General, said:

Everyone across the TV industry wants to get production back up and running. Recent weeks have shown just how important shows are to the public. But we can only move forward with the right safety measures in place. This guidance is an attempt to get that right. Clearly we will keep it under review. We have, as an industry, already learnt a lot about how we can deliver programmes and we will all put that into practice.

Gary Davey, CEO Sky Studios, said:

This guidance provides production companies and broadcasters with a shared set of principles to keep staff, cast and crew safe across a range of productions. We will continue to work closely with our international partners, share best-practice and continuously review and evolve the guidelines as we return to production.

Anna Mallett, CEO, ITN said:

Our teams in ITN have pioneered new ways of working to keep the news on-air and crucially, to keep staff, freelancers and contributors safe during this time.

We’ve been able to share our experiences and protocols to help draw up these guidelines for the wider industry. Our documentary team have found ways to ensure safety and creatively maintain production on a number of programmes filmed in contributors’ homes and on location.

The UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, said:

Great British television is keeping us company throughout the crisis, and I’m keen to get cameras rolling as soon as it is safe to do so. This is a significant step forward in getting our favourite shows and soaps going again.

Our creative industries are Britain’s global calling card, and I want to see them get back to doing what they do best safely.

AIB supporting its Members

The Association for International Broadcasting has been supporting its Members throughout the pandemic, producing one of the earliest briefings for broadcasters on the situation and implementing a WhatsApp information exchange for Members to share intelligence and ask questions of one another. The AIB will continue to assist its Members in these challenging times on issues around coronavirus while maintaining its work on all other areas that help its Members operate across the world.

Main image: ITV News report on filming of four-part drama series Isolation Stories

UN SDG Media Compact reaches 100 members

18 May 2020

UN SDG Media Compact reaches 100 members

Growing alliance of news and entertainment companies brings focus on socio-economic impact of COVID-19 crisis to its two-billion-strong audience

The SDG Media Compact, an alliance of news and entertainment companies convened by the United Nations to drive coverage and mobilise action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and of which the Association for International Broadcasting is part, has welcomed its 100th member.

From large broadcasters and established print media, to news agencies, radio stations and newer digital publishers, the SDG Media Compact spans 160 countries on five continents, reaching a combined audience of about two billion people through well over one hundred outlets owned by Compact members.

“Media play a crucial role in countering misinformation and galvanising action for a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 crisis based on science, solidarity and our common roadmap, the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. “We are proud to have one hundred SDG Media Compact members from across the globe, committed to covering the critical issues of our time and driving progress toward a healthier and more peaceful world.”

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by world leaders in 2015, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone by 2030. UN expert voices, data, reports and stories are regularly shared with SDG Media Compact members, inspiring coverage of the Goals without interfering in editorial freedom. As part of the UN’s new Verified initiative, Compact members will also be receiving trusted and accurate content about COVID-19 to counter misinformation and flood the internet and airwaves with content on science, solutions and solidarity.

For Sky Group, Europe’s leading media and entertainment company, being part of the SDG Media Compact means acting on the big global issues that matter. “We’ve aligned our strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals because they provide clear purpose to ensure business drives the change that is crucial to improving our world,” said Jeremy Darroch, Sky Group’s CEO.

Shanghai Media Group, one of the newest members, joined the Compact to be part of a global alliance working toward common goals. “It is our sincere wish to work closely with global media organisations to jointly build a community of shared future for mankind,” said Chairwoman Jianjun Wang.

For ATTN:, a digital publisher based in the United States, “partnering with the United Nations and having the ability to tap into their expert voices and data helps us ensure that our storytelling is well-sourced and informational, giving human interest stories the power to have real impact,” said Charlie Goldensohn, Senior Strategist at ATTN:.

“In a digital world full of misinformation and fake news, credibility is vital, and that is what we have greatly gained through our partnership with the SDG Media Compact and the rich editorial content shared,” said Maikem Emmanuela Manzie on behalf of Ndefcam radio in Cameroon. “The free flow of information on current issues, especially on COVID-19, has helped in building our stories on how the community can better fight this new virus.”

Many members have already played a crucial role in countering misinformation, disseminating science-based information to fight the virus, and covering the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 in the context of the broader sustainable development agenda.

SBS Australia examined how and why conspiracy theories related to the coronavirus are spreading so quickly. Sky News debunked the conspiracy theory linking 5G radio antennas to the coronavirus. Noticias Positivas reported on the issue of fake news related to the pandemic. ATTN: launched a digital literacy series focused on helping young people distinguish fact from fiction on COVID-related content. And the Asahi Shimbun explained why antagonising the World Health Organization won’t bring the world closer to containing the virus.

On the socio-economic front, Euronews, in an interview with the UN Secretary-General, called attention to the need for global solidarity for the world to emerge stronger from the crisis. CGTN published a number of pieces calling for debt relief for the poorest nations. The Nikkei reported on the need for mental health services as an essential part of the COVID-19 response. And Prensa Latina disseminated the Secretary-General’s call to protect the well-being of children.

On environmental matters, the Jakarta Post was among the outlets that amplified the UN Secretary-General’s call for a green recovery from the pandemic, SBS looked at how COVID-19 could be a chance to green our economies, In Depth News explained how ecosystems and human health intersect, and Scientific American reported on the crisis’ impact on CO2 emissions and implications for a green recovery.

Looking at the gender dimensions, the Mainichi amplified the UN Secretary-General’s call to address the pandemic’s consequences for women and girls. Devex, in an interview with UN Women, highlighted the outsized impacts of the crisis on women’s work, health, and livelihoods. And Sky aired the UN Secretary-General’s message urging governments to prioritise the prevention and redress of violence against women in their COVID response plans.

About the SDG Media Compact

Launched by the UN Secretary-General with 31 founding members in September 2018, the SDG Media Compact seeks to inspire media and entertainment companies around the world to leverage their resources and creative talent to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. It currently includes 100 members from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. By disseminating facts, human stories and solutions, the Compact is a powerful driver for advocacy, action and accountability on the Sustainable Development Goals.

More information, including the full list of members: www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sdg-media-compact-about

AIB protests closure of ABS-CBN, most watched broadcaster in the Philippines

6 May 2020

AIB protests closure of ABS-CBN, most watched broadcaster in the Philippines

Delay to franchise renewal appears politically motivated

The Association for International Broadcasting is dismayed by the forced close-down of multiple award-winning broadcaster ABS-CBN in the Philippines.

The closure, on 5 May, follows the failure of the media regulator in the Philippines to renew the operating franchise of the broadcaster, the oldest television network in south-east Asia. The 25-year franchise expired on 4 May. Despite following the renewal procedure and gaining extensive support by politicians in the country, ABS-CBN has not managed to conclude an agreement to continue operating its broadcast services on radio and television.

The Philippines National Telecommunications Council issued a “cease and desist” notice to ABS-CBN on 5 May applying to all the company’s radio and TV stations. The company complied after the main evening television newscast, taking all its transmitters off the air.

“This is a bad day for the Philippines, a bad day for Filipinos and a bad day for media freedom,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “ABS-CBN is one of the Philippines’ prime providers of news, information and entertainment, reaching almost the entire 106 million population. Its programmes are award-winning domestically and internationally, recognised by judges in our own annual awards as the best in class as well as in other competitions. To remove a country’s most-watched TV news broadcaster during a global pandemic where reliable news, information and advice are essential for citizens’ wellbeing is an appalling misjudgement.”

President Duterte has regularly criticised ABS-CBN, accusing it of bias against his presidency. The broadcaster denies this. The failure to renew the franchise is seen by many observers as a direct political attack on the network.

In addition to its internationally respected broadcasts, ABS-CBN operates a Foundation that provides assistance to people across the Philippines in times of natural disaster and has been working to support the most disadvantaged citizens who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AIB, which is a member of the Advisory Network of the intergovernmental Media Freedom Coalition, is raising this issue publicly and making representations to the Philippines government. Other Advisory Network organisations are also raising this disturbing issue.

“The closure is a direct attack on free media in the Philippines,” continues Simon Spanswick. “The failure of the authorities and Congress in the Philippines to renew the franchise in a timely manner and in accordance with the country’s legislative framework sends a chilling message to anyone in the media in the Philippines: Duterte’s government will do anything to prevent free speech and to stop it from being held to account.”

The forced closure of ABS-CBN has been widely reported by AIB Members including Australia’s ABC, Al Jazeera, the BBC, France 24, Voice of America and others as well as major international papers including the Financial Times and New York Times.

GEO TV Editor-in-Chief makes urgent appeal to UN over his politically motivated and arbitrary detention

24 March 2020

GEO TV Editor-in-Chief makes urgent appeal to UN over his politically motivated and arbitrary detention

The arrest and detention of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, Group Chief Executive, editor-in-chief, and principal shareholder of Pakistan’s largest media group, Jang Media Group, is politically motivated, arbitrary and unlawful, the United Nations has heard.

Today, an urgent appeal has been lodged on behalf of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and a second complaint has been made to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression. These urgent appeals call on the United Nations experts to take action to ensure that the Government of Pakistan and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) complies with their obligations under international law, and that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman be released immediately.

Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was arrested on 12 March by the NAB in Pakistan in a case concerning a property transaction that dates back 34 years to 1986. He has been imprisoned since, in unsafe and unhygienic conditions and without meaningful and regular access to his lawyers. Jang Media Group owns Geo TV as well as some of Pakistan’s largest newspapers. Mr Shakil-ur-Rahman’s arrest and detention come following many attacks upon and targeting of him, Jang Media Group and its journalists by the Government of Pakistan and the NAB, and a deteriorating climate for media freedom in Pakistan.

Commenting on the arrest, a Jang Group spokesperson said:

“In the past 18 months, the NAB sent our reporters, producers and editors, directly and indirectly, over a dozen notices, threatening shutdown of our channels, due to the Jang/ Geo Group’s reporting and its programmes about the NAB. In its defence, the NAB has in writing said that it is a constitutionally-protected institution that can’t be criticised.”

The international counsel team for Mr Shakil-ur-Rahman, Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, Tatyana Eatwell and Jennifer Robinson of Doughty Street Chambers, London, said:

“Mr Shakil-ur-Rahman’s arrest and imprisonment – on spurious charges dating from transactions in 1986, over three decades ago – raise grave concerns. This not only violates our client’s rights to freedom from arbitrary detention and a fair trial, but this is part of a wider pattern. This is a targeted and concerted attack upon our client’s freedom of expression rights and freedom of the media in Pakistan, weaponising NAB procedures to shut down critics of the Government. His detention is arbitrary and the authorities in Pakistan must comply with their international law obligations and release him forthwith.”

Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB), added,

“The Association for International Broadcasting and its Members are deeply concerned that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, the head of one of Pakistan’s major media groups, has been detained in contravention of both Pakistan and international law. Due process appears not to have been followed in this case and we call on the Pakistan authorities to immediately release him. We are further concerned that the Pakistan government has for the past two years been attempting to restrict access to Geo TV channels across the country, in contravention of the channels’ licences and carriage agreements. This is a blatant attempt to reduce media freedom in Pakistan that this Association deplores.”

BBC sets out plan to inform, educate and entertain during unprecedented times

18 March 2020

BBC sets out plan to inform, educate and entertain during unprecedented times

The BBC issued this statement on 18 March

Today the BBC is setting out how it will ensure it keeps the nation informed, educated, and entertained in unprecedented times.

Director-General Tony Hall says: “We all know these are challenging times for each and every one of us. As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a special role to play at this time of national need.

“We need to pull together to get through this. That’s why the BBC will be using all of its resources – channels, stations and output – to help keep the nation informed, educated and entertained. We are making a series of changes to our output to achieve that.

“We will continue to deliver all the essential news and information – with special programming and content.

“We also will do everything from using our airwaves for exercise classes for older people, religious services, recipes and advice on food for older people and low-income families, and should schools close, education programming for different age groups. We will also be launching a whole new iPlayer experience for children. And of course there will be entertainment – with the ambition of giving people some escapism and hopefully the odd smile.

“Clearly there will be disruption to our output along the way, but we will do our very best.

“It will take time to emerge from the challenges we all face, but the BBC will be there for the public all the way through this.”

The BBC is announcing a wide-ranging package of measures today.

Our core role is to bring trusted news and information to audiences in the UK and around the world in a fast-moving situation, and counter confusion and misinformation.

In particular:

We will do everything we can to maintain Breakfast, the One, Six and Ten and ensure they continue to perform a vital role on BBC One
We will broadcast a weekly prime-time Coronavirus special on Wednesdays on BBC One, and move Question Time to 8pm on Thursdays, with call-in audiences and remote guests.
We will record a daily edition of the Coronavirus podcast, and film it where possible for News channel use in the UK and abroad.
We will bring listeners the most up-to-date information on Coronavirus through 5 Live. 5 Live will be answering listeners’ questions with regular phone-ins.
We will focus local radio breakfast and mid-morning output on news, open phone lines and expert advice for local communities between 6am and midday.
Under the umbrella Make A Difference, every local radio station will join up with local volunteer groups to help co-ordinate support for the elderly, housebound or at risk, making sure people know what help is available in their area.
We will keep Newsround bulletins on air throughout the day on CBBC.
We will delay the planned closure of the Red Button text news and information service.

We will help people in the UK deal with the impact of the crisis on their own lives, by providing advice, education and support.

Initiatives include:

Using The One Show as a consumer programme show for all aspects of the crisis. This will include health and well-being advice, keeping fit and healthy eating tips, as well as links to other BBC output that can help and support.
In BBC One daytime, Health Check UK Live will directly address the concerns of viewers who are in isolation, offering tips on how to keep healthy and happy at home.
Making BBC Homepage the BBC’s bulletin board supplying clear information – the answers to all the key questions, with public information, health advice and recipes.
Launching a virtual church service on Sunday mornings across local radio in England, led initially by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Subject to outside broadcast capacity and our partners, we will aim to broadcast a weekly Sunday morning church service on BBC One, and explore how to support other religions and denominations, including in the run-up to Ramadan.
We will work with partners to get older age group exercise routines and other fitness programming into people’s homes on TV or radio.
We will retarget the BBC Food website around collections of recipes and advice on what can be made with essentials, especially for older people, and for low-income families.

In the event that schools are shut down, and subject to further work and discussions with the Department for Education, devolved administrations and schools, we are exploring:

A daily educational programme for different key stages or year groups – with a complementary self-learning programme for students to follow, broadcast on BBC Red Button and made available on demand on BBC iPlayer.
Expanding BBC Bitesize content, with our social media running daily troubleshooting Q&As focusing on a different subject each day.
Increasing our educational programming on BBC iPlayer, bringing together the best from BBC Bitesize, BBC Teach and the wider BBC portfolio where educationally appropriate.
Creating two new daily educational podcasts for BBC Sounds, one for primary and one for secondary.
BBC Four and BBC Red Button devoting a block of programming each weekday evening to show programmes that support the GCSE and A Level curriculum. In Scotland, the Scotland channel will support the Scottish NQs and Highers in daytime.

We will keep people entertained, providing laughter, escapism, companionship, shared experiences and a sense of connection to the outside world.

Initiatives include the following:

We will bring back many favourite shows, allowing people of all ages to escape into some top-quality entertainment both on our channels and on BBC iPlayer. New boxsets going up shortly include Spooks, The Missing, Waking The Dead, French And Saunders, Wallander and The Honourable Woman, as well as more from BBC Three.
We will be launching an exciting new iPlayer experience for children, offering a wide range of entertaining and educational series. It will be easy to use and easy for them to find what’s relevant to them.
Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 4 will provide the information, explanation and escape that millions rely on. On Radio 4, we will dig into our rich archive of drama with such well-loved titles as The Complete Smiley, all of the novels by the Bronte Sisters, film noir classics by Raymond Chandler, and reassuring favourites as Rumpole and Wodehouse. We will be sharing popular podcast dramas with a wider radio audience for the first time by broadcasting the award-winning Forest 404 and The Whisperer In Darkness. We will also hope to provide some joy and laughter by running classic editions of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and Just A Minute.
We will do the same in BBC Sounds, looking at bringing back classic sport, comedy and drama, as well as exploring using the BBC’s programme index to allow audiences to search thousands of online archive radio programmes.
We will aim to create live fund-raising events, to raise money for coronavirus good causes.
At a time when British culture is having to close its doors, the BBC, through iPlayer and Sounds, can give British culture an audience that can’t be there in person. We propose to run an essential arts and culture service – Culture in Quarantine – that will keep the Arts alive in people’s homes, focused most intensely across Radio 3, Radio 4, BBC Two, BBC Four, Sounds, iPlayer and our digital platforms, working closely with organisations like Arts Council England and other national funding and producing bodies. This will include guides to shuttered exhibitions, performances from world-class musicians and comedy clubs, new plays created especially for broadcast featuring exceptional talent, poetry and book readings.

Significant numbers of coronavirus-related web addresses registered

17 March 2020

Significant numbers of coronavirus-related web addresses registered

The UK cyber security industry has identified a trend in registering Internet domains that include the words “corona”, “COVID-19” and similar. The view of cyber security experts is that these are likely to be used for malicious purposes.

The AIB advises that all journalists should be wary of visiting sites that include these keywords in the main part of their address, such as those on this list that has been compiled by UK cyber experts. This is particularly important for staff working remotely on laptops and who are contributing to live output or web services.

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