News Article 32

Sir Terry Wogan: Veteran broadcaster dies, aged 77

This is how BBC News represented the story:

Veteran BBC broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan has died aged 77, after a short illness, his family has confirmed.

In a statement, they said: "Sir Terry Wogan died today after a short but brave battle with cancer. "He passed away surrounded by his family. While we understand he will be missed by many, the family ask that their privacy is respected at this time."

BBC director general Tony Hall said: "Terry truly was a national treasure." Sir Terry leaves wife Lady Helen and their three children. The couple also had a daughter who died in infancy.

He presented the breakfast show from 1972 to 1984, as The Terry Wogan Show, and then from 1993 to 2009 as Wake Up To Wogan. He built up a firm fanbase, dubbing his audience the TOGs, or Terry's Old Geezers and Gals. When he broadcast at breakfast for the final time, he told listeners: "The years together with you have not only been a pleasure but a privilege. You have allowed me to share your lives with you. "When you tell me how important I have been in your lives it's very moving. You have been every bit as important in mine."

My opinion:

This is just a small part of how the BBC represented this story and I think they did a really good job because they included pictures, videos, information about Terry's life, responses to his death and facts and statistics. Yet again this is another very sad story and it is devastating that yet another important figure is no longer with us. Terry was amazing at what he did and he also will be missed hugely by everyone. RIP. 

News Article 31

Schools ranked by raw GCSE results for last time

Schools in England are being judged on the basis of raw GCSE results for the last time, heralding the end of school league tables in their present form.

Head teachers are welcoming changes that means from next year, schools will be measured on a broader range of results across eight subjects.

The government says schools have risen to its moves to toughen standards.

The number of schools falling below the current floor standard has remained stable at 312.

Secondary schools are "underperforming" if fewer than 40% of pupils get five GCSEs at grade A*-C, including English and maths, and if the school has a below average score for pupils' progress.

The data is based on examinations taken last summer.

MY OPINION

When I was doing my GCSE'S, I found they were more of a memory test rather than testing your genuine knowledge and they didn't really help because I quickly forgot a vast majority of it. I think it is a good idea that they are going to start not using GCSE's alone anymore because success rates will go up and levels of education will improve. BBC News represented the story well, they had interactive diagrams and loads of information so I understood the story very clearly.

News Article 30

ALPS AVALANCHE DEATHS: TEACHER FACES MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE 



How BBC News represented the story:

A French teacher is under investigation for manslaughter after he apparently led schoolchildren onto a closed ski run shortly before a deadly avalanche.

Police are waiting to take the teacher into custody. He was seriously injured in the disaster and remains in hospital. Two pupils and a Ukrainian tourist were killed when the avalanche struck in the Les Deux Alpes on Wednesday.

Warnings were in place after heavy snow in recent days. The two students who died were a boy of 14 and a 16-year-old girl from Saint-Exupery high school in Lyon. The Ukrainian man who was killed was not part of the school group.

"We have to interview the hospitalised teacher as soon as we can," Grenoble prosecutor Jean-Yves Coquillat told reporters on Thursday. "The question is: Why were they skiing on a closed piste?"

A huge rescue operation was launched after the avalanche struck the group of 10 teenagers, their teacher and the Ukrainian, 57, on the Bellecombe piste at about 15:45 local time (14:45 GMT) on Wednesday. The piste, which has the most difficult black rating, had been closed since the beginning of the ski season because of a lack of snow, a manager at Les Deux Alpes told local media.

My Opinion:

I think this is truly shocking and I've heard so many stories about deaths or major injuries occurring during school skiing trips. I think this definitely says something about the safety of them and more precautions need to be taken when planning and on these trips to ensure all the pupils are completely safe. Stories like this may be especially impactful for parents who are considering sending their children on skiing trips because they may find themselves re-thinking the safety of the decision. If it is true what they say and it is manslaughter, then that is absolutely horrible and again, just shows the lack of trust there is in this world. 

News Article 29

DAVID BOWIE DIES OF CANCER AT 69

This is how BBC News represented the story:

Singer David Bowie has died at the age of 69 from cancer.

His son, film director Duncan Jones, confirmed the news and a statement was issued on his social media accounts. "David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," it said.

"While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."

His hits include Let's Dance, Space Oddity, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel, Rebel and Life on Mars. He was also well known for creating his flamboyant alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The singer only released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday on Friday. The album, which includes just seven songs, has been well received by critics.

Tributes have been paid to Bowie from across the world of entertainment.

Brian Eno, who collaborated with Bowie on his albums Low and Heroes, said: "Words cannot express... rest in peace David Bowie".

Rapper Kanye West said: "David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime."

Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, who convinced Bowie to star as himself and ridicule Gervais in an episode of 2006 sitcom Extras, wrote simply: "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."

Comedian and writer Eddie Izzard said: "Very sad to hear about the death of David Bowie but through his music he will live forever."

Bowie collaborator Rick Wakeman wrote on Twitter: "As I'm sure you can imagine I'm gutted hearing of David's passing. He was the biggest influence & encouragement I could ever have wished for."

My opinion:

I think it is very sad that David Bowie has passed away, he was a talented man and I still find it absolutely devastating that there is no cure for cancer. BBC news represented the story really well, with relevant information, audience responses and on the website, they had included both videos and pictures which was useful. Clearly, Bowie will be missed greatly. RIP.

WOW- Disney and Sony

News Article 28

Star Wars topples Spectre to become UK's biggest film of 2015 



This is how BBC News represented the story:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has become the UK's biggest film of 2015 after just 16 days of release, with takings of £94.06m beating Spectre's £93.5m.

JJ Abrams' film has also overtaken Avatar (£94m) as the second most successful film in history in the UK. But Skyfall still reigns supreme as the UK's highest-grossing film of all time with £103m in 2012. The Force Awakens sees the return of original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. It also introduced audiences to British actors Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, who have starring roles in the seventh movie in George Lucas's franchise.

At the end of December, Star Wars: The Force Awakens also became the fastest film to take $1bn (£674m) at the global box office. It achieved the feat in 12 days, beating the previous record of 13 days set by Jurassic World in June. But while Jurassic World had the benefit of record takings in China over the period, The Force Awakens had yet to open there when the figures were released.

It still has a way to go before it can compete with the two films which took more than $2bn worldwide - 1997's Titanic ($2.18bn; £1.45bn) and 2009's Avatar ($2.78bn; £1.85bn).

My opinion on the news story:

I expected that Star Wars would do extremely well in the box office because it is a franchise that is greatly loved by so many people and it was anticipated for a long time in the build up to Christmas and the way it was marketed also meant that wide audiences were attracted. I did go to see it and after not really watching Star Wars before, I surprisingly really enjoyed it and I think they made it in a way that it will tend the needs of old fans as well as create a great film for people just watching it as a one-off. However, I have seen better films but I believe the reason it has been hyped up so much is because its an old, famous franchise.