[Media-watch] FW: BBC operations in Iraq....

[David Miller]

memo leaked from BBC cited in previous Guardian story:


20th April 

>> ___________________________________
>> 
>> From Jonathan Baker, World Editor, Newsgathering
>> 
>> ------------
>> 
>> As you are probably aware, in view of the increased threat faced by those
>> working in Iraq at the moment, we have reduced our numbers in the Baghdad
>> bureau.   For the next 3-4 weeks at least, we will be served by two
>> correspondents (David Willis and Dominic Hughes) and limited technical
>> support.    The situation will be kept under constant review.   No
>> programme trips to any part of Iraq will be approved until further
> notice.
>> 
>> The reduction in the size of the team will clearly have effects on the
>> service Newsgathering is able to offer programmes and channels from
>> Baghdad.    This note sets out what those effects are likely to be, and
> how
>> we intend to manage them, balancing the needs of the output with the need
>> to protect those in the bureau from exhaustion.
>> 
>> Our ability to gather news and pictures in Baghdad is already somewhat
>> circumscribed.    So there will be little scope for producing bespoke
>> features, television or radio, for any part of the output.
>> 
>> More packaging may have to be done in-house in London, particularly for
>> television; although we will still be able to provide some cut stories,
> and
>> plenty of tracks and pieces to camera.    Although there should be no
>> problem with live two-ways for both television and radio, the hours of
>> operation will be limited, and it will sometimes be necessary to
>> pre-record.
>> 
>> We are taking steps to make sure there is adequate in-house packaging
>> effort to fill the gap if Baghdad cannot provide.
>> 
>> By agreement with heads of department, the Baghdad team will work on the
>> basis of a 12 hour operational day.  If a major story breaks outside
> these
>> hours, the team will be activated.  Beyond that, programmes are asked to
>> respect the need to make sure they have reasonable downtime.
>> 
>> Barring news breaks, the day will begin with a live two-way for TODAY at
>> 0630BST (if required) and a despatch for use by radio outlets from 0700.
>> All other outlets will be free to request live two-ways after 0700.
>> Where there are more bids than can be accommodated, we will seek to
>> prioritise.  We'll try to respond to programme requirements as much as
>> possible, but you should expect to have to make some compromises.    TV
>> outlets overnight and in the early part of the moming will have to
> package
>> in London.
>> 
>> After 0700BST the team should be able to do regular lives, although some
>> co-ordination may be required between the demands of the various 24-hour
>> networks.   It would help if these networks could talk to each other
> about
>> arrangements to deliver the best service within the resources available;
>> failing this, Newsgathering will decide.  There may be periods during the
>> morning and/or afternoon London time when no correspondent is available
>> because of the need to take some time to find out what's happening, or to
>> give the technical staff a break.
>> 
>> Beyond the continuous channels, David Willis will service the TV1 and
> TV6,
>> and Dominic Hughes will concentrate on radio outlets.
>> 
>> The last live hits will be at 1900BST (2200 local); the team will do any
>> required pre-records after that, before closing down for the night.
>> 
>> The team will do everything they can to provide a good service to as many
>> outlets as possible.   But patience, forbearance and a willingness to
>> compromise will undoubtedly be required.
>> 
>> All bids and requests MUST be channeled through the Newsroom Intake desk
>> (ext72075 / ext72136).  On no account should programmes call Baghdad
>> direct.   If the team on the ground can offer more, they will offer it;
>> bombarding them with requests will be counter-productive.   They do not
>> have the time to field such calls, and it is essential that the whole
>> system is co-ordinated properly.  We must try to get the maximum service
>> possible without making unreasonable demands on the small number of
> people
>> who will be working long days every day to try to provide it.
>> 
>> We'll keep all of this under review.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Jonathan Baker
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> BBCi at http://www.bbc.co.uk/
>> 
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