Channel 7’s Flashpoint returns with COVID-19 special to cut through the hysteria and sort the facts from fiction

As shoppers brawl over toilet paper and potential COVID-19 patients are being left outside in hospital carparks, there has never been a more important time for WA’s only dedicated current affairs program to sort “fact from fiction”.

Flashpoint returns for its second year tonight with a must-watch coronavirus special that will provide viewers with the information they need to be able make an informed decision on how to react to the outbreak.

An impressive panel will include Premier Mark McGowan, WA’s deputy chief health officer Robyn Lawrence, Australian Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller and Perth Airport chairman and former FMG chief executive Nev Power.

Executive producer Melissa Bowen said with so much uncertainty and conflicting information it made sense to start the new season on coronavirus.

We’ll be taking a distinctly West Australian view on the impacts of the virus and the unique challenges faced in our State — Tim McMillan

“The virus is starting to filter into so many different parts of our lives,” she said. “The idea of the show is to separate fact from fiction and go straight to the people at the top and get an idea of how our State is positioned to handle coronavirus.

“We’ll have a look at exactly what you need to be doing to protect the health of your family, your job and your finances.”

Flashpoint host Tim McMillan said the show would explore the broader economic issues facing WA as the outbreak intensified.

“We’ll be taking a distinctly West Australian view on the impacts of the virus and the unique challenges faced in our State given our reliance on the resources sector and demand from China,” he said.

West Australian Newspapers editor-in-chief Anthony De Ceglie said the panel show — which is a joint venture between the newspaper and Channel 7 — played a crucial role in informing the public.

“In an era of fake news and panic buying, there has never been a more important time for a mature current affairs show that cuts through the spin and speaks directly to experts,” he said. “The experience and expertise of the panel on our show tonight will offer an unrivalled breadth of opinion.”

Flashpoint will air on Channel 7 tonight at 9pm.