After the horriffic terrorist bomb blast in Bali, Australian media has focused on the town of Kuta, attempting to find stories in a maze of disorganisation and disbelief. Radio stations have been covering the bombing in news reports and special programs, and also with appeals and support for the national day of mourning.
2UE reporter Anthony Clark is in Jakarta and described what he has seen and felt for radioinfo:
“I’m covering the terrorist attack for 2UE and the Southern Cross network. There’s no doubt this is a devastating attack. The things we Australian journalists have been exposed to are horrific.
Walking through the blast site, the true force of the explosion is apparent – two blocks almost completely razed to the ground. The hospitals and the morgue are the toughest places to report from.
There’s been so many Australians there trying to find their family members or friends, hoping they’re alive. Then there are some who have gone there to identify bodies. It is a truly gut wrenching place.
There is of course a massive media contingent here – we’ve had three reporters. I flew in just a few hours after the blast, we’ve also had Harvey Deegan from 6PR and Paul Bentley from 3AW arrive in the last few days to help out.
I don’t think any of us were prepared for what we would see here and there’s things that will truly haunt us for the rest of our lives. I’m flying home to Sydney tonight from Jakarta – on Sunday morning when I got the call to go to Bali, my only plan was for a sleep in and a trip to the hardware store! Life is a strange thing, and I can’t wait to get back home to family and friends and try to put this horrific experience behind me.”
A national day of mourning is being held this weekend for the Bali victims and Christian Station Sonshine FM in Perth is making available an interview with various Pastors for stations who want special programming for that day. Sonshine’s Sheridan Voysey told radioinfo:
“We have just recorded a ‘Church Pastors Forum’, an interview-style format addressing the spiritual question that naturally arise after an event like the Bali bombing tragedy. It is recorded for the National Day of Mourning, this Sunday. We are making this 30 minute (approx) interview / forum available for download for your station.
The Bali tragedy has touched all Australians, but particularly West Australians. The pastors involved in this forum are all leading large churches in the Perth metro area and are involved in state-level church movements and is hosted by 98.5 Sonshine FM’s Morning Announcer / Interviewer, Sheridan Voysey.
If you would like to run this interview on your station (mp3 or higher quality downloads available) visit http://www.sonshinefm.ws or email [email protected]
In Perth most radio stations are assisting in help with the Bali bombing, joining in on the Salvation Army appeal and supporting a planned concert to raise money for victims and their families.