This time it’s 'the media' that are in the spotlight, through a story raising issues about what news is, what ‘the public interest' is, and the way that the media choose to report events. The story focuses on the way a local radio station reports news of theft at a nearby hospital radio project.
Voxpops 1
Young people offer their thoughts on the meaning of the word 'news'.
'News' sounds like 'new', so I think it's probably things that have just happened.
It's a true fact that's important.
News is what's going on around the world that you should be aware of.
News is what's happening in the world, but it can also be small news - about your family, to pass by word of mouth, like if a new baby's born.
I think news is something that doesn't usually happen, but has happened and it's special for someone.
Drama 1
Scene 1:Mickey Arnold is at home in his bedroom. He's practising his DJ routine because he hopes that one day he'll have his own show on the hospital radio station run by his father, Ralph Arnold.
Mr Arnold calls up and asks Mickey to turn the music down. Then he comes into Mickey's room and switches the tape-recorder off. He says he has a splitting headache and has obviously had a bad day.
Mr Arnold's mobile phone rings but he's reluctant to answer. 'It'll only be trouble'. When he does answer it the conversation that happens clearly adds to his distress. Then he tells Mickey about his dreadful day. There's been a robbery at the hospital radio station: over £1000 for new equipment that the radio station had received through fund-raising activity has been stolen. The local media have been hounding Mr Arnold and suggesting that it may be one of the radio station's own volunteers that is responsible.
Mr Arnold's mobile rings again. This time it's Shazza Bright, a young reporter from the the news-desk at Free Air 12 Radio. She invites Mr Arnold to be interviewed live on the news and Mr Arnold agrees - it's an opportunity for him to put his side of the story.
Scene 2: Live on air at Free Air 12. Shazza Bright interviews Mr Arnold. But the interview is far from what Mr Arnold expects. She pushes the line that the hospital radio station has been irresponsible with the public's money and that the radio station is more or less culpable for the theft. She demands to know why the public should ever trust the hospital radio organisation again. Mr Arnold is lost for words.
Scene 3: Home again, after the radio interview and Mickey is trying to console his dad with a cup of tea. Mr Arnold is feeling bitter about the interview and doesn't feel he was given any opportunity to put over his point of view. He recalls that in the past he had tried very hard to get the local media interested in the work of the hospital radio station - but they were never interested until there was something bad to report.
Mickey appears determined to do something to put things right again.
Drama 2
Scene 4: It's the evening and Mickey is in his bedroom again practising his routine. But this time the mood is different. It's a soulful show - dedicated to his dad. As Mickey speaks we learn more about his dad - about Mr Arnold's tireless work for the hospital radio station he runs…how his commitment to the organisation grew stronger during his mother's illness…
But now, Mickey has determined, it's time to get things straight: he's going to visit the news editor for Free Air 12 in the morning.
Scene 5: The following morning and Mickey is welcomed to Free Air 12 by the news editor. Mickey explains why he feels upset at the treatment of his father - he says his dad didn't deserve to be treated like that.
The news editor explains more about his approach too news. He knows that Mr Arnold is something of a local 'star' and he doesn't feel the report is an attack on Mr Arnold. Instead it's about the missing money and the public's right to know. He goes on to say that 'Good news can be boring.' Free Air 12 has to compete - they need listeners in order to secure advertising revenue. That's why they must make the news as exciting as possible.
Scene 6: Live on air at Free Air 12 with Shazza Bright reporting. There has been a dramatic development. A local person has been arrested for the theft at the radio station and all the money has been recovered. The police statement makes it clear that no-one from the radio station was involved in the theft.
Then Shazza links live to the hospital radio station where a delighted Mickey is waiting to talk to her. Shazza asks what the good news will mean for the hospital radio organisation and Mickey brings his father on air to explain (and this time he really will get to put his side of the story). The hospital radio organisation can continue now with their good work, helping people in hospital, free from any suggestion of wrong-doing. As Mickey says: 'it's the good news that's made the news, and it's the plain simple truth.'
More from this series
1. Who needs rules? audio
Exploring rules: why they are made and whether it is ever acceptable to break them.
2: Crime and punishment. audio
Exploring theft and the possible punishments appropriate for those guilty of stealing.
3: Conflicting responsibilities. audio
Exploring occasions when people feel pulled in two different directions.
4: Self-esteem - proud to be me. audio
Exploring self-esteem and occasions when children are made to feel vulnerable.
5: Diversity - respecting differences. audio
Exploring how we are all different and that those differences should be respected.
6: The environment. audio
Exploring the environment and the benefits and drawbacks of changing the environment.
8: Attitudes to age. audio
Exploring attitudes to age and in particular how young people regard the elderly.
