Liz Corbin, EBU deputy media director and head of news discusses how the organisation has helped broadcasters deliver reliable, trusted news to audiences during the pandemic.
By Contributor
Published: October 29, 2020
Liz Corbin, EBU deputy media director and head of news discusses how the organisation has helped broadcasters deliver reliable, trusted news to audiences during the pandemic.
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Liz Corbin, EBU deputy media director and head of news discusses how the organisation has helped broadcasters deliver reliable, trusted news to audiences during the pandemic.
https://www.tvbeurope.com/production-post/how-europes-public-service-broadcasters-have-come-together-to-cover-the-pandemic title=Share via Email class=share-email>
During this extraordinary time, the absolute basics of broadcast journalism are being tested. TV journalism is teamwork. People working physically close to each other, on the road, in the studio. Every part of it has to be reimagined.
Here at the European Broadcasting Union, we have a dual role to play make sure we can continue running our own news operation and help our Public Service Media members deliver reliable, trusted news to their audiences, even in the most testing of circumstances.
The challenge was clear to us from the outset. A colleague in our own organisation was the fourth person in Switzerland to test positive for the virus. We quickly began the transition towards remote working - ensuring we could carry on with business as usual, although there was very little that was usual about it.
Across Europe, we've also seen how public service media responded with remarkable speed to the pandemic. By the end of January, we had already put together an international newsroom taskforce, dedicated to coverage of Covid-19. Our members are working together to support each other and ensure citizens across the continent feel supported by them.
We've seen the very real damage done by the spread of misinformation and disinformation online about this virus which has made the need for objective, trusted news and information even more important.
There has never been a story like COVID-19 and we learned - are still learning - a lot.
Although every country had a different experience, newsrooms had remarkably similar experiences. This virus with no borders attacked us in very similar ways. As the wave spread across Europe those who experienced it first could provide an uncannily accurate forecast for those it attacked later.
The EBU provides a support network, an early warning system and a place to share ideas. When some members felt they were criticised internally for overreacting' they just had to look at what their counterparts were doing to know that in a short time their actions would look appropriate and well-prepared.
Our News Exchange is also busier than ever - with travel severely limited, we provide a more important, or sometimes the only, source of foreign news for members. At its peak, we were sharing over 130 Covid-19 news items between our Members every single day.
The pandemic has also shown us the critical need for relevant specialisms in news. Science has always been essential to news output but having the expertise to understand complex health and science issues as well as a strong network of expert contacts is now vital.
Data journalism has come into its own during this period as well and directly influenced the way the story has been reported, the assumptions that have been made and the language used.
Much of the reporting has political and social dimensions as well as purely scientific so enabling better understanding and demonstrating exactly how developments in these areas affect real lives has remained central to the public service remit.
In recent months, we've seen an alarming rise in intimidation and attacks on journalists. NOS in the Netherlands were forced to remove all branding from their OB vans as they were encountering threats and intimidation. Members like RT in Ireland have had anti-mask protestors blocking staff from entering or leaving their offices. And many have been subject to online smears and abuse, not only by members of the public but, in the case of Slovenia's RTVSlo, by other media outlets and senior politicians.
It is the role of PSM to report independently and objectively on current events. We must continue to find ways to hold governments and authorities to account. To step back and see what we are missing.
Serving all audiences on all platforms with clear, accurate and independent information in a variety of formats is crucial to countering fake news and keep people safe in these challenging times. The news needs to provide the answer the public is searching for and to outshine the disinformation which seeks to fill the void.
You can read more on how public service media have handled the Covid crisis across Europe and the lessons learnt in the EBU's Covid-19 report.
SubscribeFor more stories like this, and to keep up to date with all our market leading news, features and analysis, sign up to our newsletter here.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
16/07/2026
33 leading exhibitors are taking part in the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland Pavilions and linked locations across IBC2026 (Amsterdam RAI, 11 14 September)...
16/07/2026
Hitomi Broadcast will introduce Spectra, a new HDR colour verification solution measured in picture, not using VPID, at IBC2026 (Hall 10, Stand A40). Expanding ...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Zixi, a leader in live video delivery and workflow orchestration, and Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) today announced a strategic new integration to deliver ...
16/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Cameras Capture Immersive Flight for New Cirrus App
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Leader in Personal Aviation taps URSA Cin...
16/07/2026
XenData Announces LTO Archive Appliances with both File and S3 Object Storage In...
16/07/2026
Together the semi-finals had a combined reach of 1.98 million unique individuals...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
General-purpose robots and autonomous machines are moving from research labs to ...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
Liz Corbin, EBU deputy media director and head of news discusses how the organisation has helped broadcasters deliver reliable, trusted news to audiences during the pandemic.
