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Original poster

What's happening in Italy? Media rant.

114 replies

Flippetydip · 03/04/2020 06:53

The media in general and the BBC specifically are really beginning to grate on me. They are only reporting the negatives in every situation. Since the USA death toll has become high that's all they've focused on. What is happening in Italy now? Has it levelled out? If so, why aren't we hearing about it? Why are the recovery rates (far greater numbers) never mentioned at the same time as new cases and death rates?

People need some positivity. I realise that the situation is dire, believe me, I do, but if we are not given some hope in the situation, morale is going to become incredibly low.

OP posts:
TheCanterburyWhales · 03/04/2020 12:03

Who has exaggerated by 960,000?

PlywoodPlank · 03/04/2020 12:03

Yeah, I'm in central Italy and have seen and heard nothing of rioting or theft. The vast majority, even in places that have seen few cases, are calm and patient while lockdown is doing its job. Supermarkets are orderly and people do their best to follow guidance, for the most part. Also, lots of police enforcing the stay at home order, and even the recalcitrant don't want a hefty fine.

Haffiana · 03/04/2020 12:08

The Guardian and CNN are both excellent. CNN is really good for world CV news despite being an American site. Yes, the BBC is woefully lacking in depth and clarity, you can tell that they don't have the funding any more.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 03/04/2020 12:15

Thank you, all.

Tonyaster · 03/04/2020 12:17

Sorry but the rates of death and infection in Italy Spain are not "Wonderful or Great news"

Italy just aren't testing much anymore
That's why the new infection rates are down.

The death rate is the relevant measure.

LeeMiller · 03/04/2020 12:20

Agreed, those sky reports were the worst, @TheCanterburyWhales . Pure sensationalism. Also annoying is the reporting on people being fined for breaking the lockdown rules. Yes there are idiots and chancers but from the posts on here that's clearly not restricted to Italians, and the vast, vast majority are following the rules and in many cases interpreting them more strictly than required.

As @Melassa says there is an issue around reporting on other European nationalities that plays up cultural differences in often quite insulting ways and contributes to a wouldn't/couldn't happen here attitude. Yes there are demographic and behavioural differences but I think people underestimate just how similar life is in Milan/Madrid/London etc in lots of ways.

Tonyaster · 03/04/2020 12:20

The Guardian's coverage of coronavirus is excellent

Yes, if you want to hear how badly the government is handling it.

Haffiana · 03/04/2020 12:27

Yes, if you want to hear how badly the government is handling it.

I think you are mixing news with comment. It is perfectly clear which is which on the Guardian website.

LeeMiller · 03/04/2020 12:27

Italy just aren't testing much anymore

Actually, Italy is increasing the number of tests carried out, yesterday about 5000 more than the previous day - see the Civil Protection reports.

tenlittlecygnets · 03/04/2020 12:29

Yes, if you want to hear how badly the government is handling it.

I think you are mixing news with comment. It is perfectly clear which is which on the Guardian website.

Yes, the Guardian is left wing but its news reporting is factual, not sensational, and well written.

Tonyaster · 03/04/2020 12:30

The Times is also very good, but has a paywall

Gin96 · 03/04/2020 12:31

@TheCanterburyWhales alloutoffucks did on another thread a few days ago, she said over million had died from the coronvirus already, that was when the number was about 40,000, why would you do that, unless your trying to scare people, as if people aren’t scared enough

TooGood2BeTrue · 03/04/2020 12:31

The BBC has always been very focused on the USA and other English-speaking countries, presumably to reach bigger audiences in those places. I find it irritating, too, and get my news not just from the BBC, but other sources as well, including The Guardian and foreign news websites.

TheCanterburyWhales · 03/04/2020 12:40

Ah. I thought you meant a news source.

Daisydoesnt · 03/04/2020 13:32

@WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles I'm sorry but I couldn't disagree with you more about Matt Hancock. He's the effing Health Minister for gods sake. Of course he should have been tested, he does have quite an important role to play in managing this crisis?!

I actually thought they cut away to the weather when the question was asked because it was such a stupid question.

Tonyaster · 03/04/2020 13:33

I think Matt Hancock has done a good job.

Aesopfable · 03/04/2020 13:47

Yes, the Guardian is left wing but its news reporting is factual, not sensational, and well written

😂😂😂

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 03/04/2020 14:42

@Daisydoesnt I didn't say I thought Matt Hancock shouldn't have been tested. I agree that he does have an important role, but so do the frontline medical staff treating patients at severe risk to their own health and lives. The lack of testing and PPE is a scandal and Matt Hancock (and the PM and the government) absolutely should be held to account for this, especially in light of his ease of access to testing for himself.

Questions around this aren't stupid, they absolutely should be asked!

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 03/04/2020 14:43

And as for him going a good job tony well I think we will have to agree to disagree on that!

GCAcademic · 03/04/2020 14:46

Yes, the Guardian is left wing but its news reporting is factual, not sensational, and well written.

I can assure you that the Guardian is not factual. I know that from the way it reports on issues in the field I work in (higher education). You are best reading both the Guardian and the Daily Mail, and locating the truth somewhere between the two.

TooGood2BeTrue · 03/04/2020 17:20

I'm sorry GCAcademic, but the Daily Mail doesn't qualify as a news source!

GCAcademic · 03/04/2020 17:25

Neither does the Guardian, TooGood. It’s primarily staffed by columnists, not reporters, and very agenda-driven. It’s become such a parody of itself that it’s basically a left-wing version of the Daily Mail, but with slightly more literate writers.

DogInATent · 03/04/2020 17:53

I think Matt Hancock has done a good job.
He did promise 40 new hospitals, I'm not sure even he'd predicted he'd get one built so quickly.

RedToothBrush · 03/04/2020 18:06

People need some positivity. I realise that the situation is dire, believe me, I do, but if we are not given some hope in the situation, morale is going to become incredibly low.

I am seeing loads of vacuous grating feel good stories on the tv.

Not sure what you are watching.

Also the daily news conference keeps on going on about 'green shoots'.

We have to have the more serious stories to reflect what is happening (aka as reality) and to keep reminding people to stay home.

I'm not exactly sure why you are complaining.

There is a mix of 'good' and 'bad' stories.

If you want wall to wall feel good stuff I suggest you get an amazon prime or a netflicks subscription or make sure you set an alarm to watch the One Show daily because you obviously want to escape what's going on and don't want to watch the actual news.

GoldenOmber · 03/04/2020 18:15

People are a lot more likely to stay at home if they think that staying at home is doing something. Talking about e.g. Italy's lockdown starting to work is a world away from distracting good-newsy "this teddy bear from Leamington Spa has a special song for pensioners in lockdown!" fluff.