Who advises the media defence experts?
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Who advises the media defence experts?
Lovely picture today on page 9 of the Sun depicting a "Tornado GR4 with Storm shadow" on a feature which details potential British action against Syria.
The picture is actually of an F16, for those that don't read the paper (and I dont blame you!). Are those who advise journalists of the hardware that our forces have really that ignorant that they don't know the difference between British made and American aircraft? Laughable really!
The picture is actually of an F16, for those that don't read the paper (and I dont blame you!). Are those who advise journalists of the hardware that our forces have really that ignorant that they don't know the difference between British made and American aircraft? Laughable really!
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OP ... Judging by the peak of 500 "guests" (excluding members) on this forum last night around 21:00 Hrs ... I'll bet a quite a few journalists look for info here which then gets lost in translation in their quest to be the first to publish "something" 
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Well considering the last edition of RAF News had a pic of a Wessex illustrating a SAR Sea King story, and a recent press release from Lossiemouth described participants in CQWI as 'GR4 Tornados' and 'T1 Hawks' is it any surprise civilian press can't get it right?
Lovely picture today on page 9 of the Sun depicting a "Tornado GR4 with Storm shadow" on a feature which details potential British action against Syria.
The picture is actually of an F16, for those that don't read the paper (and I dont blame you!). Are those who advise journalists of the hardware that our forces have really that ignorant that they don't know the difference between British made and American aircraft? Laughable really!
The picture is actually of an F16, for those that don't read the paper (and I dont blame you!). Are those who advise journalists of the hardware that our forces have really that ignorant that they don't know the difference between British made and American aircraft? Laughable really!
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Outlaw Pete
I can't see the photo but
1. It's a plane ! (the word plane used intentionally)
2. It probably has a few clearly visible bombs hanging off it
3. It looks "warry" !
4. It looks good.
Therefore they have probably covered what the readers
of the Sun want and understand
I can't see the photo but
1. It's a plane ! (the word plane used intentionally)
2. It probably has a few clearly visible bombs hanging off it
3. It looks "warry" !
4. It looks good.
Therefore they have probably covered what the readers
of the Sun want and understand
Last edited by 500N; 28th Aug 2013 at 07:19.
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Therefore they have probably covered what the readers
of the Sun want...
of the Sun want...
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
anotherthing, give them time, give them time.
In answer to the OP, the reporter or author probably gets an official brief or handout, bashes out the obligatory number of words and emails or phones it in (depending on circumstances). The Sub then tells the photo department I want a punchy photo of an aircraft to go with the XYZ article.
The archivists possibly aren't even told the aircraft type and simply pull what they think is the best, not previously used that week, photo, and bingo - cr^p.
In answer to the OP, the reporter or author probably gets an official brief or handout, bashes out the obligatory number of words and emails or phones it in (depending on circumstances). The Sub then tells the photo department I want a punchy photo of an aircraft to go with the XYZ article.
The archivists possibly aren't even told the aircraft type and simply pull what they think is the best, not previously used that week, photo, and bingo - cr^p.
Originally Posted by Coff
Judging by the peak of 500 "guests" (excluding members) on this forum last night around 21:00 Hrs ... I'll bet a quite a few journalists look for info here which then gets lost in translation in their quest to be the first to publish "something"
Anyway, I now have it on good authority that the UK has decided to commit to action in Syria. Preparations are now under way to send 8 F-35Bs, two Nimrods and a further 6 RAF Strike Eagles, to join the 4 already deployed, to the region. The aircraft are to be based at RAF Dhekelia in Cyprus and deployment is expected to start by Friday.
RAF Strike Eagle of 5 Squadron deployed to RAF Dhekelia last weekend preparing for operations over Syria.
It could be worse. I remember mid 80's when the Nimrod MPA force were busy with a major SAR event around the UK. BBC national news showed a photo of an E3 which we didn't actually have in the RAF inventory back then (but Nimrod MR2 = Nimrod AEW = photo of a big aircraft with a radar thingy on top) getting involved operating out of Kinross. Cue the large map of Scotland with an arrow pointing towards Fife! 
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Courtney, you're not far off. Having had the 'pleasure' of escorting and briefing several members of the media in Iraq, it is my experience that they dont really give a hoot about the technical detail as long as it looks good and gets published; PN's synopsis is about right. It is only the military (and the spotters) that get hot under the collar when the picture doesn't match the text or the manouevre described is physically impossible.
Even more frustrating is trying to get our message across, such as how well the markets were doing in Basra and how life was improving for local businesses, when the editorial agenda is aready set and they just want some 'facts' and on-location photos to go with the piece they have already drafted. The only journalist who seemed genuinely interested in our side of the story was Caroline Wyatt of the BBC. She and her crew were always a pleasure to work with (as long as you had plenty of smokes handy!).
Even more frustrating is trying to get our message across, such as how well the markets were doing in Basra and how life was improving for local businesses, when the editorial agenda is aready set and they just want some 'facts' and on-location photos to go with the piece they have already drafted. The only journalist who seemed genuinely interested in our side of the story was Caroline Wyatt of the BBC. She and her crew were always a pleasure to work with (as long as you had plenty of smokes handy!).
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It could be worse. I remember mid 80's when the Nimrod MPA force were busy
with a major SAR event around the UK. BBC national news showed a photo of an E3
which we didn't actually have in the RAF inventory back then (but Nimrod MR2 =
Nimrod AEW = photo of a big aircraft with a radar thingy on top) getting
involved operating out of Kinross. Cue the large map of Scotland with an arrow
pointing towards Fife!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
And of course it the picture editor requires the sharp bit to point the other way they will simply reverse the image.
The Torygraph once had a half-page spread, graphics and text, on one of the operations, Tonka and Shadow IIRC, it was word and picture perfect except for one small and insignificant detail.
The whole article had been issued from Truth Central and nowhere did the TG admit to printing a PR scoop handed out by the MoD.
The Torygraph once had a half-page spread, graphics and text, on one of the operations, Tonka and Shadow IIRC, it was word and picture perfect except for one small and insignificant detail.
The whole article had been issued from Truth Central and nowhere did the TG admit to printing a PR scoop handed out by the MoD.
Try this page for the original 'artist's impression': Countdown to war with Syrian tyrant approaches | The Sun |News|Politics
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Blimey .. at least they have their heads covered to avoid upsetting the locals.
Popped into the army aviation museum at Middle Wallop yesterday - I assume the Tutors in the circuit and the hover-taxying Lynx are all part of the build up to some serious air strikes...
Popped into the army aviation museum at Middle Wallop yesterday - I assume the Tutors in the circuit and the hover-taxying Lynx are all part of the build up to some serious air strikes...
