Is it really a news story when we get snow? Given that I'm in the North-East of England at the back end of November and not in sub-Saharan Africa it seems a little strange that news coverage talks of little else. Perhaps we like to play up to our national stereotype but I'm always reminded of Oliver Hardy's attempt at small talk in "Way Out West" when he comments "What a lot of weather we've been having lately." I accept that local news, generally not known for its in depth coverage of major news stories, has a role to play informing us as to any disruption to transport or of school closures but it should be extreme and hazardous flooding or blizzards with the various consequences before being considered newsworthy of the national press.
It may appear that the North has been honoured to be mentioned as the normal pattern is to report on the onset of snow when a few flakes fall in Surrey and then go quiet when Northumberland spends the next two weeks under a drift, but it probably indicates a quiet news week. Saying that it is probably true at other times of the year when we are subjected to "Phew what a Scorcher!" headlines so that no matter what the conditions there is always something to report.
No comments:
Post a Comment