BBC defends harrowing report with grieving man minutes after wife died from Covid

The BBC has defended a report from a hospital after some viewers accused it of being "insensitive", and others "scaremongering".

The news package from veteran journalist Clive Myrie aired on Monday's BBC News At Six and News At 10, and included an interview with Martin Freeborn, whose wife had sadly died within the last 30 minutes.

And the broadcaster has since revealed it has been the target of some backlash, but has stood by the news package as reflecting the gravity of the pandemic and the strain the NHS is under.

"Our role as an impartial news broadcaster is to reflect the reality of any current situation," a BBC spokesperson said.

"Sometimes this means reporting on upsetting stories and including upsetting images.

"In this case, our newsreader gave a warning that there were some distressing images at the beginning of the report."

The statement continued: "We consider it is very important to give those working within the NHS a voice and to accurately reflect the current state of the health service, and we felt that was achieved here.

"Martin Freeborn wanted to speak to us after his wife had died to tell us what had happened and to convey the seriousness of the situation.

Mr Freeborn's wife had just died (BBC)

The report was branded 'insensitive' and 'scaremongering' by some viewers (BBC)

"Our team gave him the utmost care and respect, and we greatly appreciate his contribution to the report.

"We don't consider the report was insensitive or scaremongering, but we do appreciate that some people may have found it difficult to watch."

The BBC flagged in the report that those affected by the report's subject matter can visit their Action Lines website, which provides support.

And while some complained, others were moved by the segment and lauded the BBC for airing it.

In the interview, Mr Freeborn said: "My wife lost her fight for her life.

Mr Freeborn was grieving the loss of his wife when he was interviewed (BBC)

"It was a mixture of Covid and an infection that finally finished her off."

When asked whether she had died recently, he replied: "Yes, in the last half hour, I've lost her."

The report concluded with a picture of Mr Freeborn and wife Helen, Clive Myrie saying in voiceover: "Her name was Helen, and she was 64."