Available online
Description
In April 1979, Horizon produced a programme entitled Elements of Risk, about the risks involved in the disposal of nuclear waste. How this film was conceived, shot and edited is the subject of this... Open University programme. It begins with a brief discussion of how the same issue is handled by BBC News, and then examines in depth the Horizon programme, with contributions from the Producer, Chris Riley and the Horizon Editor, Simon Campbell-Jones. The objective of the programme is to attempt an understanding of how such a complicated and sensitive issue is handled by television.
In April 1979, Horizon produced a programme entitled Elements of Risk, about the risks involved in the disposal of nuclear waste. How this film was conceived, shot and edited is the subject of this... Open University programme. It begins with a brief discussion of how the same issue is handled by BBC News, and then examines in depth the Horizon programme, with contributions from the Producer, Chris Riley and the Horizon Editor, Simon Campbell-Jones. The objective of the programme is to attempt an understanding of how such a complicated and sensitive issue is handled by television.
| Module code and title: | U201, Risk |
|---|---|
| Item code: | U201; 06 |
| First transmission date: | 03-06-1980 |
| Published: | 1980 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | John Miller |
| Presenter: | Chris Pollit |
| Contributors: | Chris Riley; Paul Vaughan |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Nuclear waste disposal; Risk |
| Footage description: | The programme begins with shots of the Windscale nuclear complex. As an example of television coverage of the nuclear industry, a BBC News item, from 1978, is shown. It deals with the commercial advantages of treating nuclear waste. The news item is repeated and Chris Pollitt analyses its content. A second news item is shown describing the activities of anti-nuclear protesters in Scotland. Again the item is repeated and its content analysed. Shots of three BBC Science Features staff vetting the Horizon programme Elements of Risk. The programme then switches to show sequences of the documentary. The film crew are then shown at work at Windscale. Chris Riley, producer of Elements of Risk describes the problems he had to overcome, when arranging the filming of the programme. He discusses the attitude of British Nuclear Fuels towards the media and then explains the theme of the film, which is to list the uncertainties which exist in relation to nuclear waste disposal. Scenes from Elements of Risk: a scientist warns of the danger of an increase in the cancer rate in the Windscale area. Simon Campbell-Jones, Horizon editor, explains the philosophy behind the Horizon series and its treatment of scientific subjects. The programme attempts to explain, clarify and inform. Scenes from 'Elements of Risk' showing experiments at Harwell and Pennsylvania State University, designed to test the suitability of glass as a storage medium for radioactive waste. The results of the two experiments do not agree. Chris Riley justifies the programme's handling of this dichotomy. Simon Campbell-Jones talks about how the Horizon team works and Chris Riley describes the ways in which the team try to ensure that the scientific material they present can be understood by the layman. He then explains the approach taken towards risk in the programme. Shots from 'Elements of Risk', in which the areas of uncertainty are listed. The programme then reverts to the cutting room once more as Paul Bonner, Head of BBC science features department, gives his appraisal of the programme. |
| Production number: | FOUD014N |
| Videofinder number: | 1315 |
| Available to public: | no |
