Posted on 10/14/2008 3:37:19 PM PDT by SE Mom
I have a BA in journalism, and over time have kept in touch with a number of people who are still working in that profession. So when one of them emailed me the following about the atmosphere in today's newsrooms, I wasn't surprised at all. This person does offer some hints at the end on how to push for more fairness in your local coverage:
....
It's unbelievable here. I've been through a few election cycles and have gotten pretty used to the open sneering every time a Republican candidate appears on the television, but this year is unlike anything I've ever seen.
Anchors were openly cheering when the news came out that Sarah Palin's daughter was pregnant. Some of the comments were so over-the-top childish and nasty that I couldn't believe what I was hearing. They're obsessed with her. They hate her even more than they hated Bush. And they all talk openly about how "stupid" and "unqualified" she is. It's pretty much a hostile work environment for the few conservatives who work here.
I've pretty much been keeping my head down and concentrating on my work, but yesterday was the final straw for me when some snot-nosed, twenty-something liberal producer responded to a request to take a phone call from a viewer complaining about lack of election fraud coverage by saying, "Tell him it's because we hate Republicans."
I want you to post this story on your blog to get the word out. The average person doesn't understand how obnoxiously left wing, the average local newsroom staffer is. The nightly newscasts they're watching every night are being put together by producers who have nothing but disdain for the people watching.
The irony is that these people are for the most part, some of the most ignorant, unimpressive individuals that you'll ever meet. They know next to nothing. They have no expertise in any area. They just repeat shit they read on the wires. Most of them aren't even from the communities where they work. They migrate from station to station, climbing the ladder as they go.
But they do think they're both smarter than and superior to you. Especially those of you who live in rural areas.
It's time people register their dissatisfaction about these clowns. It won't change the coverage, but contacting them in the right way can be hugely disruptive to their operations.
Here's how to do it. First, have a specific complaint in mind before you call. Make sure it's a local issue so they can't duck it. Be prepared, succinct, and polite. Study up on the topic before hand. Your goal is to put them on the spot and make them answer specific questions.
Local television newsrooms are extremely busy just before their newscasts air, so time your calls accordingly for maximum disruption. Most local stations don't have a dedicated call taker, so you're likely to get routed to whomever is available. It might be a producer, an intern, or even an anchor. No matter who you get, they'll be busy and stressed out and looking to get rid of you as quickly as possible. Keep them on the line for as long as you can.
Newsroom personnel hate to be questioned on anything. They're notoriously thin-skinned about their work. What you'll find beneath the surface if you're persistent is an almost unfathomable ignorance about the stories they cover. Expose this ignorance by asking them basic information about whatever story (or lack of coverage) you're complaining about. If the issue is voter fraud, ask them to explain to you their understanding of your state's election laws. In almost all cases, they will not be able to. Follow up by politely asking them how they can accurately cover stories that they don't understand. You'll probably get a nasty, defensive reaction. Congratulations, it's working.
If they try to blow you off, ask to be routed to someone in charge like the news director, assistant news director, an executive producer, or the general manager. If they lose their cool and hang up on you, call back and try to get the GM or news director. Ask them why their newsroom staff is rude to callers and appears to feel unaccountable. Follow up with emails.
I can't stress enough to your readers how important it is to be polite and informed. If you do your homework, you'll have these people spinning in circles. You may not be able to change their coverage, but it should knock a little of the arrogance out of them and make life more difficult.
One could also think economically and act capitalistically (if that's even an available adverb). Keep track of what advertisers you see in a particular newscast and don't shop with them or use their services.
Even with the drive-by network programs, take a look at the commercials that you see in those shows. Obviously, you won't be using Summer's Eve if you happen to be unfortunate enough to catch "The View" or Viagra if you're watching the old drive-by evening newscasts, but as a simple nota bene, take a look not at the show itself but the advertisers (the "clients" as they are often called).
Haha! That’s good. Reckon there were more than a few that got away with pulling the same joke. Not that that diminishes it any.
Thank you for the welcome.
I did read the whole post. While it did not advocate yelling it did advocate calling repeatedly until one of the busiest people in the building takes your call. while a voice may not be raised, as someone who has had to answer phones, a raised voice is not needed to sound like someone is being argumentative or complaining.
The point I was hoping to make was that calls and e-mails are easily ignored. They are all kept on file for FCC purposes, but there are better ways to get a point across.
I have been reading these forums for months, and a theme I have picked up if people here feel underrepresented in the news in general. I feel like calling or e-mailing is a poor answer. I feel it is a fair opinion. I feel if you want to change the way the media acts there are two good ways to go about it.
First, holding counter events. Large groups attract cameras and reporters. Have the events be organized ahead of time. Tell the media ahead of time through well written press releases, e-mails, faxes, stop by the station in a suit and say “hi”. Have them be large and legal. Have them based on issues, not personal attacks.
Second, if you don’t like the media, change it from the inside. Encourage your children to go into writing, go to J-school, get jobs in newspaper and TV. Have them work harder and more fair than anyone else and then the TV/newspaper/magazines you see might slant the way you want them to.
Once again, thank you for the welcome. I’ve been here for a while, but just have never posted.
During the first OJ trial I called a local tv station about something I had seen in the courtroom. Finally talked to a lady that tried to brush me off. It wasn't until I got to the you-are-not-listening-to-me stage and told her I'd just call another station that she finally paid attention.
Did you have anything to do with the coverage of the OJ murder trial or know someone who did? If so I'd like to freep-mail you a question.
Oh the newbie thinks we’re all stupid. How cute!
oh, i always call 41 sr and 43 jr.
i was in the south. other than watching the feeds, i don’t know much more
about it. i wasn’t friends with reporters on west coast.
It's my opinion that the majority of people get most of their news from the short news blurbs on the radio at the top and bottom of the hour. If you have more of an insight into the stories that are referenced, the reports are often biased or wrong! For example the other day I heard something like this: "Barak Obama, campaigning in Detroit today said, 'Obama quote'. Mean while, Senator McCain and Governor Palin held a rally in (some location)" I hear this and I think, where is the equal time? The AP or Cbs news or whom ever have pretty much given Obama a free commercial spot! grrrrrrr!
Actually, that map doesn’t offend me in the least.
I’m happy to live in Jesusland.
Just as we all thought! Printing this info out and taping it next to my phone. Looks like we all better get busy making a few calls!!
God Bless this conservative behind enemy lines!! Wonder if Nancy Pelosi/Harry Reid would protect this ‘whistleblower’?
Junior high school student, high schooler or college student—which are you?
You “feel” a lot and your grammar sucks. Typical left winger/whiner.
You give free and horrible advice just like a troll does.
You signed up today though I doubt you’ll last long.
How many of you would want to sit in hodunk Iowa (or name another random state, I have nothing against Iowa personally)
Well, I think it tends to be more based on the economics of the industry than anything else. In smaller, "entry level" markets, the pay is very low. The very first station I worked for we were airing a story on welfare reform of some kind and we had a full screen that mentioned those that were eligible for the program(s). Our production manager joked, "I think most of our employees qualify for this."
In my experience there are just as many republicans as democrats in LOCAL newsrooms
It depends on the part of the country from my own experience. Newsrooms and news departments I don't think I would totally agree, but among an entire television station or newspaper, I'd be more inclined to agree. Another aspect in larger markets is the presence of unions. One of the stations in our company has a big union presence (IBEW) and, based on 2nd and 3rd hand information, IBEW isn't exactly the best friend of conservatives or Republicans.
Especially in smaller cities they don’t have the time or manpower to care about people calling for ACORN coverage
Tip O'Neil has been quoted as saying "all politics is local". Well, to a similar extent, most if not all news is local. Stories about Hamas or Hezbollah is more than likely a local story in Jerusalem. If a person is going to call a television station, I would make sure to keep the focus on a story that would be a local one.
In smaller cities you’ll get a cock 20 something who thinks he or she knows best. In bigger cities you get someone in their 30’s or 40’s who actually do know news better than you.
I only partially agree with this, at least according to some my friends and coworkers who have made the leap to the vaunted Top 50 markets. The cocky (I assume that's what you meant to type) 20 somethings often do make the leaps and I'm not sure they really "do know" news...again, much of this paragraph is based on 2nd and 3rd hand info from my friends further up the showbiz food chain, so take it for what it's worth.
The point is just calling to complain doesn’t get anything done, think before yelling.
Completely agree. Screeds are more for the kids at DU and Kos.
Good and valid points.
My post was a joke. However, I see the day coming when “Direct Action” (leftist vernacular) will be a valid option.
I work in public relations, meaning I work with reporters just about every day of my life. Many are very friendly and are easy to develop good relationships with. Many more are profoundly unfriendly and clearly have a superiority complex. I take some of this as reflecting a general dislike and/or distrust of PR people, and some of it as reporters thinking that they are among society’s upper crust and friendliness is beneath them.
Mercifully, I don’t work in politics, but even the business/consumer reporters I work with regularly are clearly liberal. I have no choice but to chuckle at their anti-Republican remarks and tactfully change the subject if my clients want coverage. But I suspect that the average American hasn’t really got a clue about how pervasive the liberal bias is.
Ah. Well, having been on the sites of many TV transmitters, it’s not as easy as it looks. Although if you have some backhoes and snowmobiles, and if you don’t mind risking electrocution, it’s not a bad idea. :)
Portable cutting torch and a stiff breeze. Cut three cables at single point and she falls away from you due to tension from other two points.
I wanted to be a journalist, but then I met some of the students who were majoring in the field at my local university. The superficiality and lack of intelligence were profound. I was completely put off of it when a survey revealed that about 90% of journalism students were pursuing the field because they wanted to change the world. I don’t recall if any of them wanted to report what actually happened. Probably not.
One of my friends in the school became a volunteer firefighter and inspired me to become a volunteer E.M.T. We were working together at the school when one of the journalism students asked us to videotape a story to help the homeless. This was in 1985.
“How are you going to help the homeless?”
“We are going to have a protest.”
“How is that going to help the homeless?”
“We are raising awareness.”
My friend rolled his eyes at the notion of ‘look at me’ activism, but I had a question. There was a homeless mission nearby; I knew this because once in a while my mother gave them food from her church and I would deliver it.
So I said, “Well, there’s a soup kitchen right down the road from here in Paterson. If you want to help the homeless, they’d love for you to show up in the morning and help feed them.” The journalism student lurched backwards, put up his open palms as if to prevent such an offensive thought from actually touching him, and blurted out, “Oh, I would never do that.”
Of course not. The homeless people at the soup kitchen were all black. Racism is a funny thing. If you can not hold onto a man while he is suffering or dying because he is black or Jewish or something, you will weed yourself out of the 911 system very quickly. Some people accuse everyone else of prejudice, the rest of us can’t understand what they mean. My friend told the journalism student that we didn’t have time to do his story and he went away.
I tried to get back into journalism locally last year. I might have even posted about it here. Something about it again put me off. A director I dealt with seemed to meausure the depth of a man by how much he could boast. I think that sums up the profession.
I know what you mean. I thought that I would like to get into journalism until I served on the readers advisory board of our local paper for a year. The liberalism that existed there really disillusioned me. Took all of the want to right away.
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