When health officials declared a global pandemic, it quickly became obvious it would have an impact on our lives. Just as every industry and family had to adapt to the rapidly-changing public health orders and advice, so have TV news journalists. From microphones on hockey sticks to dinner-table interviews, journalists have changed the way we work to stay in the field in a way that's safe for us as well as the people whose stories we're telling.

BTS with CTV Vancouverhost and producer Penny Daflos has a frank and open discussion with colleagues, St John Alexander and Shannon Paterson, on the immense workload, the social rituals we're still struggling to avoid, and what they do with all their gear at the end of the day.

When health officials declared a global pandemic, it quickly became obvious it would have an impact on our lives. Just as every industry and family had to adapt to the rapidly-changing public health orders and advice, so have TV news journalists. From microphones on hockey sticks to dinner-table interviews, journalists have changed the way we work to stay in the field in a way that's safe for us as well as the people whose <a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/">stories we're telling</a>.
<a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/bts-podcast">BTS with CTV Vancouver </a>host and producer <a href="https://twitter.com/PennyDaflos">Penny Daflos</a> has a frank and open discussion with colleagues, <a href="https://twitter.com/ctv_stjohn">St John Alexander</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ctv_shannon">Shannon Paterson</a>, on the immense workload, the social rituals we're still struggling to avoid, and what they do with all their gear at the end of the day.

A behind-the-scenes look at the stories behind the stories from the CTV Vancouver newsroom. Penny Daflos discusses the stressful, inspiring, irritating and heartbreaking moments that never make it on TV in unfiltered conversations with her colleagues – including other reporters, anchors, videographers, technicians and producers who battle the clock each day to make deadline.

A behind-the-scenes look at the stories behind the stories from the CTV Vancouver newsroom. Penny Daflos discusses the stressful, inspiring, irritating and heartbreaking moments that never make it on TV in unfiltered conversations with her colleagues –...

BTS with CTV News Vancouver

"No more handshakes": Safety and storytelling during a pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated major changes to everyone's workplace, virtually overnight, and it took some time to get adjusted to the new reality where isolation is the safest option. But it's had tremendous, negative consequences for journalists reporting on every aspect of the pandemic -- from vaccine availability to the safety of school openings to the dating scene. Instead of being in the room to look decision-makers in the eye and hold them to account, BC's reporters are more often than not restricted by calling their questions in an opaque queuing system where no one knows who's being chosen to speak, nor why.

BTS with CTV Vancouverpodcast producer/host and reporter, Penny Daflos, dives into the reality for reporters in British Columbia with CTV's legislative bureau chief, Bhinder Sajan, who describes the inner workings and political considerations that have kept journalist's arms-length from the province's top doctor and policymakers, while investigative reporter, Jon Woodward, colourfully describes the impacts of limiting reporters on the campaign trail as a Metro Vancouver mayor hits the mute button on an uncomfortable question.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated major changes to everyone's workplace, virtually overnight, and it took some time to get adjusted to the new reality where isolation is the safest option. But it's had tremendous, negative consequences for journalists reporting on every aspect of the pandemic -- from vaccine availability to the safety of school openings to the dating scene. Instead of being in the room to look decision-makers in the eye and hold them to account, BC's reporters are more often than not restricted by calling their questions in an opaque queuing system where no one knows who's being chosen to speak, nor why.
BTS with CTV Vancouver <a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/bts-podcast">podcast</a> producer/host and reporter, <a href="https://twitter.com/PennyDaflos">Penny Daflos</a>, dives into the reality for reporters in British Columbia with CTV's legislative bureau chief, <a href="https://twitter.com/BhinderSajan">Bhinder Sajan</a>, who describes the inner workings and political considerations that have kept journalist's arms-length from the province's top doctor and policymakers, while investigative reporter, <a href="https://twitter.com/ctv_jon">Jon Woodward</a>, colourfully describes the impacts of limiting reporters on the campaign trail as a Metro Vancouver mayor hits the mute button on an uncomfortable question.

"Disaster for democracy" as reporters kept at a distance

For weeks, demonstrations in support of hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northern British Columbia have resulted in in unprecedented rallies, blockaded railroads and intentionally disrupted commuter routes for drivers and transit users alike -- not to mention attempts to stall legislators in the capitol and even taking their placards to the premier's own home. The issue of whether or not to allow the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline has deeply fractured the Wet'suwet'en community and Canadians at large have been divided on whether protests are lawful and acceptable expressions of support for First Nations or illegal acts of disruption that should result in arrest. As the days go on, the impacts are increasingly felt by people across the country.

Hard at work to report on the daily goings-on and the larger picture of what's at play are journalists scrambling to get to the latest barricade, protest and sit-in -- despite increasing hostility from the demonstrators themselves. It's a challenging but important task, so reporters and videographers are getting creative in order to cover all aspects of the developments, despite significant logistical and geographic hurdles.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host Penny Daflos discusses the complexities of reporting on this issue with reporter Allison Hurst and their colleague, Melanie Nagy, Vancouver bureau chief for CTV National News.

For <a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/timeline-rail-disruptions-by-wet-suwet-en-supporters-across-canada-1.4815263">weeks</a>, demonstrations in support of hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northern British Columbia have resulted in in unprecedented rallies, blockaded railroads and intentionally disrupted commuter routes for drivers and transit users alike -- not to mention attempts to stall legislators in the capitol and even taking their placards to the premier's own home. The issue of whether or not to allow the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline has <a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/here-s-how-b-c-approached-land-rights-after-major-court-ruling-1.4818299">deeply fractured</a> the Wet'suwet'en community and Canadians at large have been divided on whether protests are lawful and acceptable expressions of support for First Nations or illegal acts of disruption that should result in arrest. As the days go on, the impacts are increasingly felt by people <a href="'Barricades%20must%20now%20come%20down,'%20PM%20Trudeau%20says%20of%20rail%20blockades">across the country</a>.
Hard at work to report on the daily goings-on and the larger picture of what's at play are journalists scrambling to get to the <a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/new-blockade-started-on-train-tracks-in-east-vancouver-1.4824103">latest barricade</a>, protest and sit-in -- despite increasing hostility from the demonstrators themselves. It's a challenging but important task, so reporters and videographers are getting creative in order to cover all aspects of the developments, despite significant logistical and geographic hurdles.
BTS with CTV Vancouver host <a href="https://twitter.com/pennydaflos">Penny Daflos</a> discusses the complexities of reporting on this issue with reporter <a href="https://twitter.com/allisonm_hurst">Allison Hurst</a> and their colleague, <a href="https://twitter.com/MelanieNagyCTV">Melanie Nagy</a>, Vancouver bureau chief for CTV National News.

Solidarity, Disruption and Spin: Covering Canada-Wide Demonstrations

The world was shocked when a Ukrainian Airlines flight went down near Tehran, but when officials confirmed dozens of Canadians were on board our nation was stunned -- as journalists sprang into action to tell the stories of the innocent lives taken too soon. With so many victims in the Lower Mainland, CTV Vancouver journalists were inundated with heart-wrenching stories as communities mourned the tragedy.

BTS with CTV Vancouver host Penny Daflos and reporter Shannon Paterson describe the difficult steps in finding the loved ones left behind, then respectfully conveying the loss felt by their families, friends, and communities. This is, quite simply, one of the toughest jobs reporters have, but they are often a welcome conduit for grieving loved ones to express their loss.

The world was shocked when a Ukrainian Airlines flight went down near Tehran, but when officials confirmed dozens of Canadians were on board our nation was stunned -- as journalists sprang into action to tell the stories of the innocent lives taken too soon. With so many <a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/sorry-we-lost-you-grief-stricken-canadians-react-to-cause-of-plane-crash-1.4763547">victims in the Lower Mainland</a>, CTV Vancouver journalists were inundated with heart-wrenching stories as communities mourned the tragedy.
<a href="https://bc.ctvnews.ca/bts-podcast">BTS with CTV</a> Vancouver host <a href="https://twitter.com/PennyDaflos">Penny Daflos</a> and reporter <a href="https://twitter.com/ctv_shannon">Shannon Paterson</a> describe the difficult steps in finding the loved ones left behind, then respectfully conveying the loss felt by their families, friends, and communities. This is, quite simply, one of the toughest jobs reporters have, but they are often a welcome conduit for grieving loved ones to express their loss.

Vancouver journalists tasked with putting a human face to a faraway tragedy have a difficult job, but one they feel obligated to tell with respect and sensitivity.

"No more handshakes": Safety and storytelling during a pandemic

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