News stories in 2009

Here is a brief sample of the exclusive coverage broadcast by ITV News in 2009:

Feeling the effects of the recession

ITV News prides itself in understanding and portraying the stories of real people. This approach was evident in our coverage of the recession, which continued to be a major story in 2009. Rather than just relying on expert analysis and commentary news teams visited families and businesses around the UK, providing powerful case studies to explain the effects of the recession:

• Recession Roadshow: In April Julie Etchingham visited four UK cities to examine the causes and effects of the recession in those areas. Presenting live from each location, she spoke to business leaders and politicians, and conducted interviews with people affected by unemployment and repossessions.
• Inflation Street: Chris Choi regularly visited a street in the Midlands to see how the recession was specifically affecting different social groups.
• Class of 2009: As youth unemployment became a prominent issue, Daisy McAndrew followed the fortunes of a group of school-leavers over a six-month period. The series featured young people gaining advice from business experts and describing their experience in looking for jobs.

Climate change

ITV News comprehensively covered the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009, with Science Editor Lawrence McGinty providing impartial analysis on the events as they unfolded. In advance of the conference, ITV News featured report broadcast live from Everest to highlight the impacts of climate change on Himalayan glaciers.

Ecuadorian rainforest

ITV News’ Penny Marshall conducted an exclusive investigation into the human and ecological damage caused by oil companies discharging billions of gallons of wastewater into the Amazon basin. Her hard-hitting reports included interviews with those affected by the damage, Chevron who stood accused of causing the catastrophe, and with campaigner Trudie Styler about wider rainforest issues.

Obesity

ITV News at 6.30pm ran a six-month long series on the causes and effects of obesity. Working in conjunction with the local council and community, ITV News focused on the area around Doncaster. Coverage included following the journey of a woman having a gastric band fitted, educating children on diets and challenging local politicians on the help that could be given to local people. ITV News political, consumer and medical correspondents worked alongside Olympian Daley Thompson to make the series as wide-ranging as possible.