Raw, but c*nsored blabbing and blogging of a young journalista
and local news producer in Southern New England.
email topstorylive % at # gmail + dot = com

Friday, May 13, 2005

Print Across The Sky

FATAL SHOOTING ON LIVE TELEVISION SPURS TV NEWS DEBATE

"If it bleeds, it leads,' didn't just fall from the sky...

"It's well-known that mayhem attracts our attention... Ever since the possibility of O.J. Simpson blowing his brains out while we all watched him in the Bronco, we have known the power of that stuff to get ratings."

--Marty Kaplan, USC Annenberg School of Communication, as quoted in the LA Times, May 12, 2005

LISTEN, I WATCH YOUR NEWS ALL THE TIME.

Thank you. I'm sure you do. What can I do for you?

WHY DO YOU COVER CRIME SO HEAVILY? WHO CARES ABOUT SOME IDIOT WHO GOT SHOT?

Because, believe it or not, you want us to.

NO I DON'T!

Well, actually, we have consultants who do surveys and polling, and they asked a lot of people in our area what they think about what's important to them, and how we're doing on various things. And a lot of people say we're doing okay. But we can always get better.

And as a matter of fact, the surveys say we're doing some things better than the other guys.

WHO ARE THESE "CONSULTANTS"?

A company called Frank Magid and Associates is one of the biggest. I think there's also a company out there called Crawford, Johnson & Northcott.

Like in any industry, consultants are experienced in the field. They come in and look at what we're doing right and what we're doing wrong and give us pointers. But they also ask viewers what they think.

WELL, NOBODY EVER ASKED ME. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE "REAL" NEWS?

What do you mean the "REAL" news?

Everything we put on the air is news. At least, it's news to someone.

THE REAL NEWS... I DON'T KNOW... UM... BUT NOT ALL THESE CAR CHASES AND SHOOTINGS AND....

Let me tell you something. In a strictly very few cases, there are very few checks and balances between the concept of a story and the television viewer at home. But ninety-eight percent of the time, there are several checks and balances from story concept to air. Several people looked at the story you are complaining about before it got to air. All of them considered it, and when they asked themselves the question, "Does a viewer care about this? Is this a valid concern of whether my family, my world, is safe?" every single one of them answered yes.

Journalism and news is like art. It's subjective; "I don't know art, but I know what I like." We have a lot of things to consider every single day in terms of things that are going on in our areas. Some we like because we know you -- that is, MOST of all you viewers -- will like them. Some we're not too hot on because we don't think you -- that is, MOST of all you viewers -- will be interested.

Broadcasting must have mass appeal.

When you see that story about that guy getting shot, don't you have a little curiosity about it?

The real curiosity factor is... YOU'VE never been shot. Wouldn't you HATE to get shot by a gun?

Of course you would.

And aren't you HAPPY you've never been shot?

Of course you are.

Now consider this next question very carefully. Would you LIKE to shoot someone?

Haven't you ever thought about it? I don't care if you're a card-carrying member of the NRA or you've never even seen a gun up close in your life. You might like the power that comes with it.

That, my dear, is why we have so much crime. You are fascinated by it.

WHY DON'T YOU PUT (story) ON THE AIR?

I'll have to refer it to the assignment desk and we'll see what we can do. May I have your name and number in case they want to contact you further about it?

BUT THERE ARE ALL THESE AWFUL THINGS GOING ON THAT YOU PEOPLE TOTALLY IGNORE. THERE'S THIS GOING ON IN IRAQ, AND THAT GOING ON IN WASHINGTON, AND THE OTHER GOING ON IN HOLLYWOOD, AND SO ON. WHY CAN'T YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

We primarily cover local stories. We get information from video feed services and wire services about national and international and regional stories, but local is our bread and butter.

The other thing is, we are just journalists. We take the picture of the car accident; we don't lobby for better cars.

We just tell YOU what's going on. It's your job to speak out against it and do something about it.

BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL YOUR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS?

Our stories spotlight problems and questions as well as answers. But we don't put every one of them into practice. Consider everything you see on our air a suggestion, or a single case under the microscope.

You must not take our word as gospel. We check out tips we get and make sure they're confirmed... but if there's something you're really concerned about, you should find out more about it on your own.

And if you find other people concerned about it, then mobilize your community. And THAT will be news to us.

YOU BROADCAST SOMETHING WRONG.

What was it?

(States claim.)

Let me find what the script said. If the script was in fact wrong, I don't know how that happened. I'll see what I can do to make sure it gets corrected for the next newscast.

WHY DON'T YOU PEOPLE EVER DO ANYTHING RIGHT? YOU'RE THE FUCKING NEWS FOR FUCKSAKE!

Listen, you. First of all, there is NO need to use that kind of language.

Let me ask you a question. What do you do for a living?

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

Humor me here for a second. What do you do for a living?

I'M A MACHINIST FOR XYZ CAR COMPANY. I ASSEMBLE CARS.

Have you ever made a MISTAKE assembling your cars? Has your car company ever had to issue a RECALL stating that something in the design needs to be corrected?

WELL... THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE HERE...

It's the same thing. Television news is just as much of an industry as making cars is.

NO IT ISN'T! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDING A PUBLIC SERVICE! YOU'RE A TELEVISION STATION!

But we also have to make money. And if you can't accept that I don't know what else to tell you.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH MAKING MONEY?

You make a car as fast as you can and as cheaply as you can and as attractively as you can and charge the most profit you can. We do the same thing.

Listen, the bottom line is this. You have a choice of many news sources, from the newspaper to several television stations to cable and the Internet. We present you with the product; you can watch or change the channel. That's it.

Beyond that you can write a letter. If we get a million letters maybe we'll change something.

ALL THE NEWS STATIONS IN TOWN ARE LIKE THIS. IT'S DISGRACEFUL.

Well, if everyone is like this, what do you expect me to do about it?

WHY CAN'T YOU SET A PRECEDENT? DO BETTER?

I'm not sure you understand how this works. We have people watching us who are just fine with our product. Furthermore, we are working every single day to get more people to watch. I guess I don't understand why you don't grasp the concept that this is the way it is.

WELL, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT (anchor) THAT YOU'VE GOT ON THERE?

I know. She's a character. Many people like her.

WHY CAN'T YOU HIRE PEOPLE FROM AROUND HERE, WHO KNOW HOW TO PRONOUNCE THINGS, INSTEAD OF GETTING THESE IDIOTS FROM OUT OF STATE WHO BLOW INTO TOWN FOR A FEW MONTHS AND DON'T KNOW SHIT?

Frankly, sir, your answer doesn't deserve an answer because it is so uninformed.

You have no idea how the local television industry works. And it is insulting.

The fact of the matter is that to get started on the air you have to go somewhere very small. You don't get paid terribly well. But it's like a farm team. You get your chops in a tiny town.

Then, you move up in markets. A lot of people move all around the country in this industry. Some people are fortunate enough to get experience in the town they grew up in, and can continue to work there as long as they like.

But many of us prefer to find bigger cities, and bigger paychecks.

The other thing is, every single man-and-woman-Jack of us is overworked, from the biggest boss on down. We all have to pull our own weight, and then some, and then some more, and then more and more and more and more.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Oregon.

OR-UH-GONE? WHY DON'T YOU GO WORK BACK THERE?

I will as soon as you return to your roots in England. Or Scotland. Or wherever it is your ancestors came from. IN EUROPE.

WHEN IS (program) GOING TO BE ON?

I suppose I could look it up on our web site. But to tell you the truth, I don't know. Our programming is subject to change. Besides, I'm in the news department, not programming.

CAN YOU LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET PLEASE?

I'm kind of busy right now, sir.

MAYBE YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING ELSE FOR ME. CAN YOU LOOK UP (something rather complex)?

As I said, I'm kind of busy right now, sir; you might try calling your local library.

THEY'RE CLOSED.

So call tomorrow.

DO YOU HAVE THE NUMBER?

As a matter of fact I don't.

ARE YOU TELLING ME NONE OF YOU PEOPLE IN THAT NEWS STATION HAS A PHONE BOOK?

Well, to tell you the truth, sir, you should just call information.

THAT COSTS MONEY.

That's not my problem. I'm not here to look up a number or other information for you. I'm here to take your story idea.

BUT YOU PEOPLE ARE THE NEWS. YOU KNOW EVERYTHING.

Well, we really don't know everything. But even if we did, so what?

SO WHY CAN'T YOU LOOK IT UP FOR ME ON THE INTERNET?

Because it's not my job. This is a news story tip line. You call us with ideas for stories. I can put you through to the weather line if you want a weather report but that's it. Beyond that you'll have to watch the news.

BUT YOU PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A PUBLIC SERVICE.

Of broadcasting television programs. That's all.

ARE YOU WATCHING (program) THAT'S ON RIGHT NOW?

I'm in the news department, sir. I'm working on tonight's newscast.

HOW DARE YOU PUT ON SOMETHING SO DESPICABLE?

Well, the program you're talking about comes from one of our networks. In some cases, our programs come from other distributors. Other shows are outright paid programming, like infomercials and The 700 Club; in other words, like an advertiser, someone has paid us for that block of time.

Would you like me to put you through to the programming department?

NO! I WANT YOU TO MAKE A CHANGE RIGHT NOW! PUT ON (the show I prefer).

Listen, sir, you're not the only one watching this program. I'm sorry you don't like what's on right now but you are over-ruled by the other viewers who like it fine... not to mention our programming department and station executives... as well as the network executives who chose this program.

I am merely a producer and I cannot change this. What's more, I'm in the news department, and I have no power over the programming that is not locally produced. And the power I have over the news shows that ARE locally produced is limited.

YOU'RE THE CHILD OF THE DEVIL! YOU PEOPLE ARE ALL EVIL! YOU'RE ANTI-CATHOLIC! YOU'RE USELESS! NOBODY CARES ABOUT WHAT YOU SAY! I HOPE YOU DIE!

Is there anything else I can do for you?

YEAH, I WANT TO REPORT A NEWS STORY.

Okay, what's going on?

THERE'S THIS GUY IN MY YARD AND HE'S TAKING A SHIT ON THE LAWN. YOU SHOULD COME DOWN AND PUT IT ON TV.

Have you called the police?

NO, THERE'S NO TIME. ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW WHAT... I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM... THERE'S A CRACK IN MY ASS! COME DOWN QUICK! HELLLLP!

All right. Where should I have the police come visit you and investigate these harrassing phone calls?

(click)

Labels: Originally published

... Scribbled by Bill T ... 5/13/2005 04:12:00 AM ... Email this entry ...
...
..........