Posted on 07/27/2007 1:17:37 PM PDT by Milwaukee_Guy
Phoenix — Two helicopters collided in midair and crashed while covering a police pursuit in central Phoenix Friday afternoon, killing at least two people. Both helicopters were news choppers from local television stations.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I don’t consider these guys paparazzi. They’re not sitting in trees on a person’s private property trying to catch them through a hole in the blinds walking around naked or smoking a joint or whatever.
I disagree with filming high-speed chases and piping them onto live TV, but that’s a gripe with TV producers and other bosses, not the helo pilots. Live TV feeds the criminals’ exhibitionist tendencies and gives them a sense of notoriety that they crave. Some people thrive on negative attention and the media should not give these clowns a forum. I don’t buy the media notion that they’re doing it because “everybody wants to see it.” If everybody wants to see it so bad and it’s such a terrific ratings-booster, then why are they facing the worst ratings in 20+ years?
I doubt they actually died doing what they like. Car chase news is pretty low on the newsie totem poll, it’s right there with the poor shlub that has to go to a turkey farm every thanksgiving.
For the most part, you’re right, but be a little careful of the “they” that you’re referring to. The pilots are doing what they were hired to do, and it’s a lot safer than a lot of jobs involving flying helicopters (such as servicing live high-voltage power lines, filming movies in dangerous locales like narrow deep canyons, performing heavy lift, etc.).
It’s the TV station bosses that are the problem here. They want the footage because they’re looking for the quick-fix sensationalist ratings-booster and they’re operating on the myth that it’s what everybody wants to see.
It's all too ironic. I'm plain contemptuous of "reporters" who ask survivors things like, "How does it feel ...?" They show such incredible disregard for dignity. I watch them and think, "Who would do that job?" I'd NEVER in a zillion years have the stomach to push a microphone into a distraught person's face under such pretense, let alone ask a question. It takes a certain kind of "guts" I don't have (and don't want).
And on the other end of the spectrum, I respect and admire the guts of the camera guys and reporters who go into risky places, and the guts of the aviators who get them there. I think, "Who wouldn't want to do that job?" Fying over the city, seeing the city in action -- such risk-taking has cool rewards for folks who have a certain kind of guts (that I hope I have, too).
Actually, you're wrong, and the extended pursuits get more local coverage ratings than a NASCAR race.
People look for blood and death, and many times during a pursuit, they get what they are looking for.
Not saying it's right or cool, it's just the facts ma'am.
Thank you!! As for car chases, especially ones that disrupt regularly scheduled programming for no good reason — that’s the station’s call. I email and/or call the station immediately to let them know what B.S. I think it is and to STOP the car-chase coverage. If everyone did, they’d stop doing them.
Amen.
But everyone wont. Know why? The extended pursuits gain more viewers than most of the regular programing. Why do you think they cover them?
Yeah, but it beats being on the ground and exploiting grief.
It's a major story for those pukes.
The police must alert them when something like this happens, I can't think of any other way they would be able to have 2 seperate "eyewitness news" helocopters join the chase.
News broadcasters monitor police radio traffic, in addition to police air traffic, among other things.
I expect you're 100 percent correct. *sigh* Such is life.
Like anything else where there is action, danger, crime, plane crashes, pursuits etc...It’s just human nature for many to tune in and be a spectator.
Not to mention the obvious danger of flying choppers in and of itself.
The money to run them comes from paid commercials. Not our money. Flying a helicopter is safer than driving your car to the store.
If I could afford a Jet Ranger helicopter, I have a helipad in my backyard or on the roof.
You can fly them all you want on your dime.
Uh, you didn't, you said this.
but launching helos is a waste of time and money just to get news.
Ask yourself, if it's a waste of time and money for news organizations to operate helicopters, why do they do it?
Seems dangerous to me but if it is a moneymaker for them they'll keep doing it.
I have no problem with that.
Well said, X-FID and dragnet2! Why I love Free Republic!
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