Making the Call on Graphic Material

The BBC Newsroom was the first to receive audio from the Copenhagen shooting that captured the sound of a lone gunman’s fatal attack. But should distressing audio that relives the moment of death be played in news bulletins? Is it necessary for the audience to hear it or can description suffice? Toby Castle was the Duty Editor in the BBC Newsroom at the time. He discusses his decision –making process in choosing to broadcast the audio and discusses how video and audio, in the right context, can help us better understand shocking events.

And this week, we launch our latest venture to put your views directly to the people behind the production of World Service programmes. Have you ever heard an extraordinary story on the World Service and wonder how it got to air? Or have you questioned a reporter’s take on a particular story? We’re giving you three minutes to ask three of your burning questions to programme makers. Kicking the series off this week is listener David Coursey whose favourite nine minutes of the day is the time he spends listening to the World Service history programme ‘Witness’.

(Photo: People lay flowers after the shootings in Copenhagen. Credit: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images)