Sky News faces Ofcom probe after 200
people complain about MH17 crash report that saw Colin Brazier rifle through
victim's suitcase
Sky News and Brazier were heavily criticised for the broadcast
ROB WILLIAMS Monday 18 August 2014
Sky News is facing an Ofcom investigation after more
than 200 people complained about
a news report from the crash site
of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which saw a reporter rifling through a victim's suitcase.
The broadcaster was forced to apologise after the
journalist Colin Brazier was filmed picking up a toiletry bag and a set of keys
from an open suitcase at the scene of the devastating crash in eastern Ukraine.
During the broadcast, Brazier himself seemed to realise
his mistake telling the audience: "I shouldn't really be doing this, I
suppose."
He later also wrote an article for the
Guardian in which he apologised for what he called a "serious error
of judgment" and said, "at the weekend I got things wrong. If there
was someone to apologise to in person, I would."
The journalist described how the scene of the crash was
"like a horror story" and how he "could not comprehend what were
seeing".
He also described the moment he realised his mistake on
picking up items from the suitcase: "As I did so my mental circuit-breaker
finally engaged and I apologised instantly on-air for what I was doing. Other
journalists, some well known broadcasters, were handling belongings and
speaking to camera."
"In
a place without rules, I foolishly took that as a precedent."
Sky
News and Brazier were heavily criticised for the insensitivity of the
broadcast and faced a sizable backlash on social networks with many
viewers calling the report "shocking" and "disgusting".
Speaking
at the time, a Sky News spokeswoman said: "Colin immediately recognised
that this was inappropriate and said so on air. Both Colin and Sky News
apologise profusely for any offence caused."
Brazier
is described by Sky News as one of its "most widely travelled"
reporters who has previously been honoured for his reporting in Afghanistan.
An
Ofcom spokesman said: "Ofcom received over 200 complaints about this news
report."
"Having
assessed these, there are grounds to investigate under our rule on potentially
offensive material. As in all investigations, we will take relevant
circumstances into account, including any action taken by the broadcaster, in
reaching a decision."
Additional
reporting by PA.
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk
ROB WILLIAMS Monday 18 August 2014
Sky News is facing an Ofcom investigation after more
than 200 people complained about
a news report from the crash site
of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which saw a reporter rifling through a victim's suitcase.
The broadcaster was forced to apologise after the
journalist Colin Brazier was filmed picking up a toiletry bag and a set of keys
from an open suitcase at the scene of the devastating crash in eastern Ukraine.
During the broadcast, Brazier himself seemed to realise
his mistake telling the audience: "I shouldn't really be doing this, I
suppose."
He later also wrote an article for the
Guardian in which he apologised for what he called a "serious error
of judgment" and said, "at the weekend I got things wrong. If there
was someone to apologise to in person, I would."
The journalist described how the scene of the crash was
"like a horror story" and how he "could not comprehend what were
seeing".
He also described the moment he realised his mistake on
picking up items from the suitcase: "As I did so my mental circuit-breaker
finally engaged and I apologised instantly on-air for what I was doing. Other
journalists, some well known broadcasters, were handling belongings and
speaking to camera."
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