Why Do They Do This?

[bednobs]

"Cinemas, museums and galleries will be able to reopen in England from 4 July, Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Tuesday as he outlines a further easing of coronavirus restrictions."
why not just wait till news happens THEN report it? If that doesn't happen after all, loads of people will have read it and be confused

[naomi24]

Perhaps it's intended to give the country some much needed hope of life returning to normal.

[bednobs]

I suppose so but they could wait a few hours then report news that has actually happened rather than news that might happen

[jim360]

Still an obsession with the morning headlines I suppose.

[pixie374]

They are reporters, they all want to be first with any "News". It's competition, not for information or reassurance. I don't think morals really come into it.

[naomi24]

I think it's encouraging - but perhaps it's just me.

[pixie374]

I think it is, but I think the aim is to beat their competitors, rather than reassure the country. It's just business.

[naomi24]

//They are reporters, they all want to be first with any "News". //

I think bednobs is talking about information being released in the first place - not journalists vying for first reports.

[bednobs]

yes, the news is encouraging but only if it actually happens, which we wont know until it actually happens. its ithe "Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Tuesday" bit that I don't really get

[pixie374]

Ah, sorry... i thought this was from media reports.

[puzzled54]

Agree with you bednobs, they are reporting speculation

[Old_Geezer]

Media always speculates in order to gain sales or visits etc..

[bednobs]

sorry I thought I was clear (but obvs not)
I am asking why news outlets are reporting this story before it has actually happened. If something happened to change what he was going to say,it would be confusing

[pixie374]

That's what I was trying to answer, but I doubt they are worried about people being confused. If they find out something which will sell, they will sell it. Maybe the government should stop giving them the heads-up, but then people complain they aren't being told anything...

[naomi24]

The media reports government press releases.

[ichkeria]

It is going to happen. That is why it’s been reported

[tomus42]

The press always get prior notice of what's going to be announced, usually from official sources but occasionally through a leak.

When they happens they always report it. They can't keep quiet about information they have unless they're legally bound to do so.

[ichkeria]

And for example “leaks” concerning plans for pubs, restaurants, etc have been reported for some time

[jno]

they report it in advance because Boris (or more likely Cummings) told them in advance it was going to happen. That's how the government works: leaks to the press and broadcast media. (If they then change their minds and don't do it, eg if the plan proves unpopular, they can deny it all and blame reporters.)

[Peter Pedant]

// Still an obsession with the morning headlines I suppose.//
and being first wivda news
and the idea of a leak being more 'true' - see profumo - or bob boothby and the Krays (Milor' used to go to bed with the gay one)
or Trump asking if Mrs May had the bomb

[Peter Pedant]

// It is going to happen. That is why it’s been reported//
I am irresistably attracted to the phrase
" the end of the world is nigh"
that has been reported man many times - and whilst it is inevitable has yet to happen