Consultation Response - Media 12 - Cardiff University PDF 2 MB

vaccination programme will begin next week, and women expecting babies will be
among the priority groups.
While both BBC News at Six and Reporting Scotland dealt with the vaccine
launch, the latter news outlet was primarily focused on swine flu cases related
to Scotland, with Health Protection Scotland sourced for the latest figures. In
addition, interviews with Professor Hugh Pennington, a microbiologist (22
seconds), Sharon Pentleton, a swine flu victim (12 seconds), and Nicola
Sturgeon MSP, the Scottish Health Secretary (15 seconds) were all used
within the two minute and 38 second news item.
The BBC News at Six item was much shorter – one minute 31 seconds – and
while it had a reporter on location outside the Department of Health, it
contained no interviews. This news item mentioned the Government’s target
of pregnant women, due to two deaths this week – one each in Scotland and
Wales respectively – but it centred on the launch of the swine flu vaccine
across the UK.
In summary, the launch of the swine flu vaccine was dealt with from a UK
perspective on the BBC News at Six whereas Reporting Scotland focused
more specifically on Scottish plans. Since the devolved administrations had
responsibilities for running and covering the cost of the vaccination
programme including aspects of the information campaign, BBC News at Six,
while taking a UK-wide perspective, might have mentioned the vaccine was
being administered differently across the nations. In this case, however, it is
important to acknowledge that the differences between devolved nations
were matters of detail rather than substance.
Building nuclear power stations in England and Wales
The decision to build new power stations in England and Wales was covered
(though not prominently) by both the BBC News at Six and Reporting
Scotland on 9 November 2009.
The BBC News at Six focused, in its introduction, on the UK Government’s
announcement that ten potential sites could house a nuclear power station in
England and Wales.
A new generation of nuclear power stations in England and Wales is to be fast
tracked through the planning process. The Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has listed
ten sites where nuclear plants could be built. A new planning commission will have
just a year to make a final decision. Anti nuclear campaigners say local people are
being cut out of the process because there won’t be a public enquiry.
The two minute and 48 second item sourced the Energy Secretary, Ed
Miliband MP (15 seconds) and Simon Hughes MP (23 seconds). While the
report was chiefly concerned with the ten sites under observation in England
and Wales, it was mentioned that “the decision does not apply to Scotland,
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