Helicopters Used for News Coverage

I agree. These people aren't 'fair game'. I said similar on this forum years ago when news channels were live broadcasting people being pulled free from a factory explosion in Glasgow. I was surprised that some felt this was newsworthy and those individuals didn't seemingly deserve any privacy or dignity.

I couldnt disagree more. Any story can be covered live with dignity. Its a news organizations responsibility to have policies in place to keep from showing anything graphic or disturbing and broadcast images that are in line with human taste and decency. Showing people being assisted out of a situation by emergency services, IMO wouldnt class as graphic. Showing blood and guts and open wounds certainly would be classed as graphic, and I agree and nobody wants to see that. Thats not to say all broadcasters get it right all the time. But a sanitized news broadcast is perfect for newsround or NickNews but not for most compassionate adults. IMO Live coverage has value. As most EMA centres have televisions and they monitor live pictures to assist them.

IMO this type of coverage wasnt graphic. But informative and helpful. I watched this coverage live and rather than being disgusted, it moves your heart to want to help. Donating to charities etc. The chopper was following directly behind this EF5 Tornado (a record breaking tornado) and stopped after it went over a the PlazaTowers Elementary school and the nearby neighborhood. To me this is responsible use of live pictures to cover a unimaginable situation. Certainly better than hearing the generic cold inhuman phrase "an incident has occurred".

There has to be a balance of informing the public of a major incident while protecting the identities of those involved and most stations use common sense. Normally if there's a incident and someone's being treated or rescued they will either zoom out to protect the victims identity or play footage from beforehand the rescue. If it's really bad they will put the footage on a tape delay. In the Alton Towers coverage I think using a full shot of the ride would be sufficient where people could still see what's going on while not showing gore. Once everyone was rescued they could show the damage.

I also believe the coverage depends on the incident. A few years ago a son of a patient shot a doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital and he later killed himself and his mother. Naturally the stations went live for breaking news coverage. The helicopters were circling around the scene but they stayed far back enough where they couldn't give away the police's position in the building. All the pilot said is that police are clearing each room and are putting an X on each window to identify which rooms were secure for the police on the ground and in the air.

During the recent Baltimore riots the stations used close up shots of the people rioting and causing damage. In my mind there was no need to protect the identities of those who were committing the crimes. In this incident the police could actually use the stations footage to identify the persons who committed arson and looting.

Here are some interesting quotes regarding this:



from ……..

NEWS on BBC.CO.UK
17-Jun-2015 @ 00:36

Simple solution....
http://a.rgbimg.com/cache1qDFQb/users/b/be/beckymerrett/300/n3FUQWy.jpg

Who's going to do that? He's just seen his child is involved in a serious accident, and you're suggesting he can just turn off the TV if he finds that traumatic?

It's a tough argument for the channels. On one side, they shouldn't be identifying the victims - keep shots wide enough that you can't tell who's involved, but on the other they will want to use mobile phone videos as soon as they get them, which will often have much more detail in them.

Personally, I just wish the reporters weren't all standing in the road at the exit. It's bad enough to get out of the park, let alone when you've got to play dodge the reporter Also, it's a good job they do have zoom lenses on the helicopters, as otherwise you'd only have seen rolling countryside, both news heli's were giving plenty of room for the air ambulances to come and go.

In this case, the father could.

Well thats unfortunate for him.

Indie tv station KTVK 3 Phoenix subsidizes the cost of Chopper3 by using graphic wrap ads on the sides of their helicopter. Its kinda LOL.... but it every little helps...

I didn't see this posted here but WMAQ the NBC O&O affiliate in Chicago launched their new helicopter, Sky 5, which features a $500,000 4K camera. They also have exclusive access to a second helicopter that will be deployed if a situation warrants two points of view. I assume the second chopper is also their primary back up.

I must say the 4K camera puts WCAU's SkyForce 10 to shame but it doesn't appear that Sky 5 has a telestrator. I assume the 4K camera will provide an advantage where they can focus on a wider image while maintaining the ability to crop out a full HD resolution image.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/multimedia/The-New-SKY-5-is-Above-it-All/306216321

Also someone posted an old promo from KVEA the Telemundo O&O station in LA. The helicopter in that promo was rented and wrapped solely for that purpose. At the time they relied on the KNBC feed.

KNBC's two Chopper 4's feeds will be shared with KVEA but as far as I know (and heard in the past with NBC/Telemundo duopolies) that KNBC is in charge of dispatching the helicopters. But chances are where ever the helicopter is dispatched KVEA would want the feed. I believe if KNBC isn't using the helicopter KVEA can ask for them to be dispatched to a certain location.

Live Now - Los Angeles- KCBS 2 - Live Police Chase. 6/23/15 5:01 pm UK
[url] http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/06/23/police-chase-man-driving-stolen-vehicle-in-glendora/[/url]

KTTV Fox 11 Live Coverage
http://www.myfoxla.com/category/239379/live-newscast-feed