By Cameron Tucker, KMTV
Self-isolation, social distancing and staying at home to save lives. The vocabulary of coronavirus is something we’ve all become accustomed to in this “new normal”. Another word which has cropped up time and again throughout this crisis is “community”, and the University of Kent’s research community has come together to tackle the challenges of this unprecedented time.
Academics from across disciplines have led the way in the battle against Covid-19, and as a producer at the university’s part-owned local television station KMTV, I have been fortunate enough to see this in action. In an exclusive report, Professor Dan Mulvihill and Dr Jill Shepherd told us how volunteers and vital equipment from the Biosciences department were being put forward to help towards testing. Dr Jeremy Rossman has become a regular guest on our Kent Tonight news programme, providing expert insight on the outbreak. This has been invaluable for our viewers during this fast developing situation.
It’s not just been the medical perspective we’ve covered. With the far-reaching implications of coronavirus, and with still relatively little known about the disease, it’s been crucial to hear from trusted sources who have been able to myth-bust and inform the public. Whether it was Professor Nathan Gomes rubbishing 5G conspiracy theories, Dr Marian Duggan raising awareness to help victims of domestic violence, or Professor Shujun Li discussing the rise in cybercrime, Kent’s academics have been keeping people safe and secure at what is a deeply unsettling time.
There have also been those who’ve appeared on KMTV to lighten the mood. Entertaining as well as educating is vital throughout the uncertainty. Dr Charlie Hall shared with us the significance of the VE Day 75th anniversary celebrations, while Dr Ruth Herbert and Sophia Ppali from EDA showcased the value of music and art, even with venues currently closed.
To get all these important stories out, we have had to drastically adapt our operations. The decision was made early on to continue broadcasting while adhering to government guidance, even with several members of an already small staff going into self-isolation. Keeping the public up to date with the latest information is central to KMTV’s existence, and that is vital now more than ever in the midst of a pandemic. So with a reduced half hour news bulletin, reporters working remotely conducting most interviews via Zoom or Skype, and being innovative with the technology at our disposal, we have soldiered on.
We have also had to suspend most of our guest-based programming, and production on our documentaries with Research Services, Virtual Open Days and other university projects have been temporarily halted. These shows will be back soon and, as lockdown restrictions continue to be lifted, we are making tentative filming plans on more exciting projects for later in the year.
As is the case for all us, coronavirus has altered the way we run things. But even in these exceptional circumstances, we have maintained our high standards of content and have the viewership to match (at our peak, we had around 160,000 weekly Freeview viewers tuning in). Despite the challenges being faced, KMTV continues to keep Kent informed with reliable and engaging news at a time when it’s needed more than ever.