News with Caution

It was reported last night on the RTÉ News that three babies had died following a bacterial infection at the Belfast Royal Maternity Hospital. 

This is most definitely a sad and sombering news bulletin to hear on a cold January evening, even more so to hear it could happen in the 21st century. Belfast Health and Social Care Trust chief executive Colm Donaghy spoke to the newsreader Brian Dobson during the report about the three unfortunate deaths, how the hospital had reacted to such news and what their plan of action was now. He stated they were removing all babies from the infected area, deep-cleaning the ward and examining all babies for the condition. 

The news was reported on in an appropriate, professional and formal manner.

After the evening news, I turned on a regional radio station to listen to while upstairs. I do understand that different news agencies, stations and programmes produce and present the news differently to suit their target audience and listenership, but I was surprised to hear the manner in which they reported this news from Belfast. 

The boppy music continued to play in the background, the news report was rushed through and the bacterial infection (pseudomona) was described as a "deadly infection", which it most certainly isn't for most human beings and animals-it just happened to be in this case where the children were premature, small and vulnerable to illness.

Listening to their news bulletin it could have been an unfortunate once-off occurrence, which people are hoping for, or it could have been an infection plaguing the Royal Maternity Hospital and currently en route to downtown Belfast, ready to affect each and everyone in its way. It was read with the same informality and excitement as the report on why Jesse J is cutting off all her hair, hardly a worrisome issue.

I know certain people listen to the station for the chart music, gossip and entertainment-I most certainly do. But in my mind, if a sensitive issue is being addressed (which quite easily could have personally affected someone listening to the station), try and take care of one's words and manner. 

Have a conscience and report the news as it is, these news bulletins affect more people than we know.