At the end of Barton Fink, John Turturro’s scriptwriter tells the studio boss:

“I tried to show you something beautiful. Something about all of us.”

So too did the people who bring you Meridian Tonight. This is their story.

But first a reminder of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. It says:

10.3 Products and services must not be promoted in programmes.

Meanwhile, back in the newsroom, Meridian’s transport correspondent has brought the team an interesting story: Virgin Atlantic, a local company, are about to launch a new service to Dubai. By aeroplane.

At Meridian they may think local, but they act global.

Time for a Virgin 72-hour press trip to the desert, and a competition for viewers to win free Virgin flights to … Dubai. Well, you can’t legislate for a coincidence like that.

Thankfully Meridian managed to retain complete editorial independence over the story … well stories. You can’t push off for 72-hours and not bring two stories back, and it gives viewers twice the opportunity to win a fantastic holiday to Dubai. But viewers are an ungrateful lot and one of them complained.

True, there was a mention of the launch of the new flights and an interview with Sir Richard Branson in the first report, and perhaps – on reflection – they had probably devoted too much airtime to the Dubai features. But this was the product of an enthusiastic reporter and a desire on the part of the producers to introduce something a little different into the programmes.

Is it a crime to dare to be different? Must enthusiasm be crushed under the jackboot of regulation?

Meridian Tonight 18/19 April 2006

“Dubai is just a seven hour flight away with a record 100 flights a week from Gatwick and Heathrow.”

“British airlines are starting new routes all the time. The latest is Virgin Atlantic with its usual high profile launch.”

“Well they say Dubai has everything and by the looks of it, it certainly does…”

“In the shopping malls you’re never far away from a familiar brand. This one is home to 300 shops and there are plenty more. In the old part of town, the souks and the famous gold markets offer good bargains.”

“It’s all just a seven hour flight away and with low crime rates, it’s one of the safest places to visit…”

“ Dubai offers all year sun with only a few hours rain a month. The flights take just seven hours and there are 84 a week from Heathrow and Gatwick.”

“…If it’s the weather, security and a rest you’re after, it’s worth a visit.”

[Ofcom]