The State of Broadcast TV

The disparity of quality in broadcast reporting is alarming. Local news proceeds along at breakneck pace, trying to fit in easily digestible tidbits of information into a 30 minute newscast. Local newscasts strive to hold the attention of viewers in a society who rarely depends on local newscasts for information. The local Fox affiliate in Denver used few academic sources and relied heavily on observation and interviews for their information. The local station presented both sides of controversies, but only superficially, rarely delving into specifics and backgrounds of the people who they were interviewing. For instance, the national piece on merit-based bonuses for teachers featured a teacher named Dillon Prime. They failed to mention that Teach for America (not the school district directly) employs Prime, which would be an interesting factor in the discussion. [Blogger’s note: I know this because we attended the same undergraduate institution].

Additionally, the local news seemed unprofessional in both its editing and reporting. The audio and video tracks often failed to match up. In an interview with Mitt Romney, the beat reporter attempted to bait him into making a racially-motivated comment against a political opponent. These make up the reasons why I don’t watch local news and often rely on the Internet or national sources for my news.

Both national and cable news interests me more so than local news. Obviously, their resources (both financial and technological) are more abundant, allowing for a sharper newscast with better editing and more in-depth reporting. I watched CBS’s nationally televised show, 60 Minutes, which focuses on 3-5 stories in its hour-long show. The reporters on the show cite many legitimate sources on both sides of the story that they are covering. While the local news broadcasted only one interview in a particular story, the national news had time to broadcast many interviews of several sides of the argument. This has far more power - showing the interviews rather than having the reporter reiterate someone else’s opinion. In this way, local news can also seem more biased than national news.

The stories on the national news program (one on veteran’s rights and one on a man who impersonated a federal officer) did not apply to me directly, but were interesting nonetheless. National news programs select stories that have a hook appealing to a wide range of people. Ironically, most of the stories on the local news were about national issues (maybe there’s nothing newsworthy in Denver?).

I selected Mike Huckabee’s show, Huckabee, on Fox News for my cable news show. During Eastern Standard prime time, cable news networks focus on specific stories (i.e. a show on American Airlines on CNN) or interview shows hosted by a famous person (Huckabee or Keith Olberman’s show on MSNBC). Cable news lately has almost exclusively focused on the upcoming election. The two guests on Huckabee’s show, actor Richard Dreyfuss and comedian Bill Maher, discussed issues related to the election. No sources were cited, because the show was not reporting hard news. Since Huckabee is a conservative and both guests are liberal Democrats, both sides were represented, although the show presented the “controversy” in the form of a discussion, rather than as the newsworthy hook.

I think that local news, especially in a small market, is in danger due to poor reporting and “unshiny” production. However, national and cable news probably won’t fall prey to the Internet and print publications as quickly (same reasons that local newspapers are dying but periodical magazines are still doing okay). People might turn into local news for fast information (especially on sports or weather) but national and cable news most likely provides most people with info on national issues (such as the election). I found it difficult to watch all of the shows (although 60 Minutes was definitely the most palatable, due to the interesting stories). I am used to blogs and written news; I appreciate carefully and wittily crafted word as opposed to quick video sound bites. It was painful sitting through all three though; this blogger is sticking to the Internet.



NOTES ON THE BROADCASTS

LOCAL:

FOX 31 News at 9pm - Denver
# of stories: 17

The news commenced with a report on the Barack Obama rally in Pueblo, Colorado. There, Obama talked about his proposed tax breaks for the middle class. However, one shop owner interviewed railed against this, as the Secret Service closed down her shop, citing safety reasons. She stated that she is voting for McCain. Although she was the only source to have their interview aired, the reporter stated that other shop owners did not oppose the rally and were supportive of the publicity that the rally brought to their town. Both sides were presented, but only the negative opinion was aired; arguably, this dissenting opinion made the story newsworthy.

Next, a reporter discussed Obama’s aunt, who is an illegal immigrant residing in Boston. Cited: Obama and the Associated Press investigation
Both sides presented.

McCain rally - You Decide 2008 - in VA. Presented his economic plan. Will be in NYC tonight. Palin back in CO. No sources.

Mitt Romney at CO rallies - interview him.

CO’s Most Wanted
Denver gunman shot three people; they are recovering. Two separate incidents in Stapleton. Gave description of subject.
Interview neighborhood members, Denver police dept, victim’s descriptions of the perpetrator, anonymous hotline info.
No controversy

Denver YG30 Bandit - bank robber - need to catch

Carjacker and killer captured in KS - update

Fires in Lafayette Motel
Neighbors pulled him out but he died
Fire under investigation
No sources

Barn fire - 4 hourses
No cause
Under investigation
Cite police
No controversy

Mitt Romney - stumps for McCain in CO
Romney says polls are close, Obama not doing well, people not comfortable with him. Reporter brings up race (unprofessional). Romney steps over it. Poor editing. Says he’s not thinking about running again.
One source, one side - Romney.
Supposed to be an opinion piece.

Talking with R Giuliani tomorrow night

Election Night coverage piece - internal advertisement

Across America segment - Police officer down - St Louis MO, shot and killed. Have a suspect
N Tex - earthquakes
No sources stated

Naked Voting; in Pasco County, FL, head of nudist colony cited, no controversy

Daylight savings time, firefighters cited - change batteries in smoke detectors. No controversy.

Weather

Leap program starts - low energy assistance - no sources, no contro.

Flu and holiday travel; airports offring flu shots. DIA. Organizers cited - shots on the fly. travelers interviewed. Denver Health Clinic. No contro.

Fox Alert - Aurora - pedestrian accident, woman and child taken to hospital, she was pregnant. No source, no contro

Teacher pay increases - NYC - Dylan Prime (Hamilton grad?) - $2000 bonus for teachers who improve test scores. Dept of Ed likes it. NEA doesn’t like it. Presidential candidates like it. National story. Controversial.


NATIONAL:

60 Minutes - CBS - 11/1
# of stories: 2 (in 30 minutes)
Good editing,

650000 called to duty since 9/11
USERA law - must take soldiers back at same pay; thousands of guard and reservists penalized or don’t have their job when they get back from active duty. Problem is that service people are losing their jobs and not getting compensated for back pay. Some employers won’t hire people who are in the military.
Interviewed 3 army members who lost their jobs, one of whom works @ the VA medical center and was denied back pay after being gone 2 yrs (in military 25 years), Pentagon cited (#s - 10% have problems), lawsuits cited, asst sec of defense Hall interviewed, privat4e sector (Dave Miller, Conway nat’l shipping company - at first supported, but now having problems with 2nd and 3rd tours), Sherwood Police Dept and its chief, quoted Pentagon policies.
Definitely has an agenda, but allowed for all sides to be represented.

Gerald, MO
tiny police force, big drug problem
Bill Jacob - UC fed agent - clean up meth labs; dozens rounded up; hero; too good to be true? 1200 residents. 2 mos - arrested 20 people. Jacobs was NEVER a fed nor a certified cop - was bankrupt and unemployed - elaborate con into believing him - ‘multi jurisdictional narcotics task force’ - quote from BHCop2. Completely made up evidence. Arrested people never read rights, no search warrants, could not call lawyers - now none of this is admissible. Reporter did background check; Jacob arrested by FBI. Long history of conning people. Officers and chief fired, people arrested now suing the town. Jacob pled guilty, will be sentenced in Dec - 5-6yrs in prison.
Interviewed Jacob, Ryan McCrary - police chief, Mayor Otis Schulte, reporter Linda Trast, Michael Holland (suspect who “confessed”)
Huge controversy - all sides spoken with, except for federal agencies.


CABLE:

special interest stories, esp in prime time (EST)

Fox News, Huckabee
# of stories: none, really - a couple things in the beginning, but two major interviews (one in first 30 minutes)

Show w Gov Mike Huckabee
Shows SNL making fun of Presidents and Presidential candidates
Thenoseonyourface.com - Obama carved on Mt Rushmore - team members of Huckabee’s show
Interviews w Bill Maher & Richard Dreyfuss
RD
played vp cheney in W by Oliver Stone
who voting for? not McCain
issue of civics and lack of prep in education of students

no sources because it’s an interview segment - q&a, not evaluating a story or reporting hard news