ITV Central and Covid | What we're doing differently
By Liz Hannam, Head of News
ITV News Central is a trusted broadcaster and we're proud to be delivering our programmes and online news service at a time when accurate and impartial information is more important than ever before.
Like many other organisations, we’ve had to adapt how we work to ensure we get the balance right between staying on-air and online, looking after our staff and contributors and observing the social distancing advice.
Which is why our reporters are getting creative with how they use their equipment!
The Government has designated ITV News Central staff as key workers – as a public service broadcaster they see us as essential to getting their announcements, messages and decisions out to the public quickly and accurately.
That’s why we’re still at work when other businesses have been asked to close. That’s why you’ll occasionally see our reporters and crew out and about as they continue to tell stories across the region.
Here’s how we’ve adapted what you see on air:
Our 6pm programme now covers both the East and West Midlands. You’ll see news for a larger geographic area than usual.
Our 6pm programme is now fronted by one presenter instead of two.
As our very own Sameena Ali-Khan explains, it's all looking a bit different in the studio!
Behind the scenes there’s change as well. Many of our reporters are now working from home, news gathering at their laptops and interviewing people over video call.
Our reporters are also turning their front rooms into technology hubs...
Things have changed when it comes to discussing the day's plan and how we want the programme to look - as Matt Teale explains.
We’ve also reduced the number of people we bring into our studio and newsroom each day - and those who are in, are social distancing.
And some of our own staff have been affected, with Bob Warman and Des Coleman both staying at home for periods for their own protection.
These are difficult times for us all and I hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well.
You can get in touch with us online in the following ways:
Email: centralnews@itv.com
Twitter: @itvcentral
Instagram: itvcentral
Facebook: facebook.com/ITVCentral
Postal address: ITV News Central, Gas Street, Birmingham, B1 2JT
News desk: 084488 14122
Planning desk: 084488 14127
Nottingham office: 084488 16608
Weather pictures: centralweather@itv.com
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