TV journalist defends pyre pictures


11 October 2001



TV journalist defends pyre pictures


By Adrienne Francis


A SENIOR journalist at one of Britains biggest TV stations has defended images of burning pyres shown at the height of the foot-and-mouth crisis.


Chris Foreman, Senior Output Editor for Carlton TV, gave evidence on the fourth day of proceedings at the Devon foot-and-mouth inquiry.


“TV is in the business of pictures. Burning pyres were a legitimate news event and became the single most vivid image of foot-and-mouth,” he said.


“It would be nave to think these images would not get shown.”


Mr Foreman was one of several witnesses who criticised the information vacuum created by inadequate communications by civil servants.


“Most of the time we couldnt carry the stories we wanted to because the
information, media facilities or people were simply not available.


“I am very surprised that there wasnt a game plan in place.”


The criticism of official communications was backed up by Graham Gilbert, managing director of the Great Western Radio Group.


Mr Gilbert accused Whitehall civil servants of being “Unresponsive, curt, unwilling and evasive.”


He added: “I couldnt believe how poor communication was. Information was haphazard, often vague or contradictory, or simply just refused.”


Mr Gilbert also criticised the Regional Development Agency and South West Tourism for not co-funding radio adverts with the message “Devon is Open”.


He said: “I got the impression [they] felt the more damage the industry was seen to suffer this year, the more funds may be available in the future.”


After lunch, Mr. Lancaster, of Kennerleigh Parish Council expressed concern over the lack of government consultation with farmers.


He claimed that lessons were not learned from the 1967 outbreak, and that communication was poor in the recent outbreak.


Sue Bizley, of the Citizens Advice Bureau, described the advice and information role undertaken by her staff.


She highlighted the unhelpfulness of the now disbanded Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) and other government departments.


William Norman, of Knowstone Parish Council, described bullying by MAFF officials, and the use of police to illegally enforce administrative decisions.

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