This advertisement, obtained by the BBC under Freedom of Information, has never been previously broadcast.
vineri, 10 iunie 2011
Pandemic promotion
For years the UK's health professionals have been preparing for a pandemic flu outbreak that they fear could lead to huge numbers of deaths and seriously disrupt the functioning of the nation.
Above is one of the government advertisements that we would have seen if it had happened by now. Never previously broadcast, it was obtained by the BBC through a freedom of information request.
The ad uses the metaphor of falling dominoes to convey the impression of a menace moving rapidly and almost inexorably across the globe, accompanied by an ominous voiceover.
The counter-measures it recommends, such as hand-washing, appear to present only an isolated obstacle to the perilous progress of the disease.
If it seems pessimistic, it illustrates the kind of scenario that has been deeply worrying the National Health Service and emergency planners in the past few years. It was produced in 2006.
It can be difficult to assess the impact of a publicity message outside its intended context, but it would certainly seem to fit an atmosphere of fear. It shows the extent of anxiety that has existed at times in the Department of Health - and perhaps still should.
This ad is one of several similar executions commissioned by the department, to be deployed in the event of a sufficiently serious situation.
The swine flu outbreak in 2009 was not considered grave enough for this treatment, prompting instead the less fearful 'Catch it, Bin it, Kill it' campaign.
Initially the Department refused to supply the advert to the BBC, on the grounds that they were intended for future publication. But they changed their mind after we appealed, accepting that it is likely to be some time before circumstances arise which could lead to their being broadcast.
In disclosing this material, the department stressed: "The 'Dominoes' creative execution was developed before swine flu, to be broadcast in the event of a severe pandemic. While swine flu was mild, a severe event could still occur at any point, and the department continues to make provision for this in its communications planning.
"We periodically review creative material to ensure continued effectiveness and salience in the same way that we review pandemic preparedness plans as a whole."
So it's possible that we could be seeing a lot more of this symbolism at some point in the future.
From the freedom of information viewpoint, this indicates how the law can provide access to video or audio material held by public authorities as well as the written word.
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-13665149
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