From: Willis, Chris Sent: Monday, 7 February 2011 12:06 PM To: Jo Jarvis Subject: RE: Media Watch question to channel 7

Response from Chris Willis:

The network sent an additional 60 people – reporters, producers, technical staff – to Brisbane to assist in the coverage. That is in addition to the Brisbane news staff of 50 and the Sunrise staff who were already in place covering the floods. We also sent a significant amount of equipment – helicopters from Sydney and Melbourne, satellite dishes and links from around the network – to assist in live coverage. Additional staff were rostered in Sydney to cope with demand for satellite space and live feeds coming from Queensland. In addition to the people sent to Brisbane, extra people brought into each newsroom in the network to assist in preparing stories for coverage of the floods. Re the signing. Our camera operator at the EMQ did not hear the request and focussed on the premier, as is the normal practice. Our normal communications with him failed. He had his mobile were switched off during the news conference. However, we were able to contact him after the news conference. From that point, the signer was included in all news conferences.

Chris Willis Director of News | Sydney

Seven Network (Operations) Limited

Dear Chris,

Media Watch is looking at the coverage of the Queensland floods and while we are examining some of the slip ups, we’d also like to acknowledge the massive effort news organisations dedicated to this event. If you have a moment to spare from overseeing the coverage of Cyclone Yasi, we’d very much appreciate a short note telling us how many reporters and what resources you outlaid for the coverage of the floods in SE Queensland.

On Wednesday, 12th January, the Queensland government began using Auslan interpreters at all flood-related press conferences. We understand that the media present were briefed by Queensland Police Media about the interpreters. Furthermore, in her 7.30pm (Brisbane time) press conference, Anna Bligh introduced the signer to her left and highlighted the importance of everyone having access to information. Channel 7 proceeded to zoom in on a tight shot of Anna Bligh, removing the signer from view, and went to stock footage of the floods, which also removed the signer. Chris Bath apologised for this afterwards – explaining that for “technical reasons” viewers couldn’t be shown the signer.

Could you please explain what those “technical reasons” were?

If possible could you get your answer back to us by lunchtime Friday?

Kind regards,

Jo Jarvis Journalist/Researcher Media Watch ABC TV