|
|
|
|
|
Latest Letters |
|
LA TV |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTR |
|
|
|
A media critique... and then some! Banned in Beijing, Kabul, and at KCAL TV.
TUESDAY LETTERS ARE UP - criticism of Barberie cleavage, an open letter to CNN, and more. Coming Wednesday - what important question one California US Senator won't answer... Inside LA TV - critical comments from a KCBS insider, and another ex-KCALer complains about the interim news director. Links to Recent Issues 09-10-01 Monday's OTR 09-12-01 Wednesday's OTR 09-14-01 Friday's OTR If you'd like to send a contribution to help keep OTR going, you can send ten dollars to Ron Fineman, PO Box 42364, Bakersfield, CA 93384 Or you can send $ on-line. Just click on the PayPal Logo. Thanks to two more contributors including one media member*. Both want to remain anonymous. Your help is appreciated! *Given more than ten dollars. |
To get on the OTR email reminder list, email me at BRUIN74@aol.com. |
A BIG EMBARRASSMENT FOR KCBS
How could it happen? One of the biggest news stories we'll ever see, and last Thursday Night on their 11pm news, KCBS accidentally aired back-to-back stories by CBS network reporters, which were 24 hours old. If you listened to the reporters, there were references which made it obvious that it was day old news. Based on the response from anchors Harold Greene and Gretchen Carr, there was no evidence that knew they had just introduced old news. In fact, Carr thanked the second reporter, one was obviously on tape...old tape.
I don't know what sort of checks and balances they have in the KCBS newsroom. I don't know how many people dropped the ball when these old stories aired on their newscast. I know they've got a new general manager, and it would appear he has his work cut out for him.
SPEAKING OF SLOPPINESS
After Mayor Giuliani had announced that six thousand body bags would be needed, KCBS anchor Harold Greene reported that six hundred would be needed. Obviously, that is a significant error in a story like this. Of course I don't know if it was a mistake by the writer or the anchor. Maybe there was confusion over 600 versus 6000. In cases like that, writing out the words ---six thousand--- makes such a mistake far less likely.
IT HELPS WHEN ANCHORS ARE LISTENING
Over on KABC-TV, reporter Pablo Pereira was doing a story about new changes with the re-opening of the airport. During his live report, he explained that people going to the airport in their own cars had to park it lots B and C. When he finished his live report Michelle Tuzee, who I think is a good anchor, asked him where people can pick up their loved ones. Pereira then answered that he "kind of" already gave that information, and then repeated it. It may well be that Tuzee had a producer talking in her ear during the report. But if that were the case, then you'd think it would be wise not to ask a question about a report you were not able to listen to. No one looks good when this happens.
SOME PATRIOTISM
Last Friday, I heard Donald Trump tell Fox news that he had been talking to fund managers who planned to buy stocks today no matter what the price. He believed that the usual selling during national emergencies would give way to a heightened patriotism. This was a time to show the world how strongly the US could respond in a very difficult time. Sad to say, Trump over-estimated Wall Street. The Dow dropped nearly 700 points today, and the NASDAQ was down more than 100. It's easy to wave the flag, but here was a chance for some people with the power to put their money where their mouth is. What a great time to invest in America. Well, not today. Maybe tomorrow?
BAD TIME TO EXAGGERATE
As you know, OTR always takes a dim view of sensationalizing the news. And so, I think KCOP should've thought twice before teasing a story by saying "What's being done to save the US from financial ruin. "This may be a bad time in more ways than one, but I've not heard ANY responsible person suggest that we are close to "financial ruin." Possibly there were some unsophisticated KCOP viewers who might've made the mistake of taking the tease too seriously. Do we really need people to be even more worried? My concern here is not the story that ran, but the way it was promoted. It is more than sad; rather it is shameful that a TV station would use this national tragedy to sensationalize a story. I believe there are a number of accurate words besides "ruin" which would've gotten the viewers' attention. I'm sorry to see a veteran like Rick Chambers didn't alter the tease before he read it.
A COUPLE MORE THOUGHTS
Talk show host Larry Elder made a valid point about calling the suicide hijackers "cowards." He suggested while what they did was a barbaric act, it was not cowardly. If you're going to think these terrorist enemies are cowards, then you tend to under-estimate them and what else they may do. Elder is right. When someone does such a horrible thing, it seems to be human nature to use all of the name calling at your disposal. As perverse as it may be to most of us, these guys were willing to give their lives for their cause. Such terms as fanatics, or murderers should do the job.
I also read an article in the LA Times saying that President Bush's suggesting that we were targets because we're a land of freedom was off the mark. The article mentioned some of the bad deeds and dictators we've supported over the years. There was the Shah of Iran, there was our helping to overthrow the democratically elected Allende in Chile and then supporting General Pinochet. There was our helping to overthrow the Arbenz government of Guatemala in 1954. The article also mentioned our support for Israel, which obviously is not appreciated by Bin Laden and his ilk. I would also add that they just don't like the US presence in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else in the middle east. They really resent US power and influence, and they don't like our western ways. If we're going to go to war against people, it's good to have a decent idea of why they hate us.
THE FUNNER HAT
In the first place, if a reporter is covering an event, I don't like to see that reporter wearing a hat advertising what they are covering. To make it worse was the particular hat KABC's Bob Banfield was wearing while covering the LA County Fair. It said FUNNER. You may recall
that recently I took exception to the Fair's slogan of "Kinder. Simpler. Funner." Bad enough that the County Fair uses that sort of slang for a slogan. But to have a reporter wear that on his head makes it worse. And I suspect that Banfield wasn't comfortable with the word either....because during his story, when repeating the slogan, he changed "funner" to "funnier."
INAPPROPRIATE ANCHOR JOKE
During the KCAL 3:30pm news last week, the daily discussion between anchor Mia Lee and KABC talk show host Larry Elder was about Michael Jackson. At the end of the segment, Lee asked Elder why people call Jackson "the comeback kid." Her answer was, "because he's always saying 'come back, kid." One KCAL insider tells me that the station did get calls of complaint. This source also thought the joke was out of line for a news anchor to tell on the air. When you think about it, that is a joke about child molesting, isn't it?
USING THE GRAPHICS DEPARTMENT
During a story last week, KTLA's Kurt the Cyberguy was reading a quote from America On Line. It was a little long, but certainly worth reporting. For background video, we were left to stare a computer screen on AOL. Pretty boring video. If I'm complaining about uninteresting video, you know it really must be boring. My suggestion is simply that the quote could have been spelled out across the screen. That way the viewer can better focus on the words, and won't really notice the dull background video while they're concentrating on the quote.
NOMINATIONS IN FOR BEST LA FEMALE NEWS ANCHOR
For those who watch LA TV, you'll find ten nominees by clicking on the Poll Section on the menu. Also, I figured it would be appropriate to ask a couple of questions related to the terrorist attacks last week. I'm asking if you expect another major attack in the next six months, and I'm also wondering if you would support ground troops in our new war on terrorism. Again, please click on the Poll Section.
LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS
Well, a week ago these were pretty hot issues.
| Do you think President Bush has shown enough leadership on the economy? | ||||
 |
votes | percent | ||
1.) Yes |
11 | 26% | ||
2.) No |
30 | 71% | ||
3.) Undecided |
1 | 2% | ||
| Do you think Gary Condit will run for re-election? | ||||
|
votes | percent | ||
|
1.) Yes |
6 | 15% | ||
|
2.) No |
34 | 85% | ||
NUMBERS AND LETTERS
This is one of those mistakes that I've heard periodically over the years by everyday people. But of course reporters need to be more careful. In describing one of the lots in which people are supposed to park in, KCOP reporter Gigi Graciette said "number B." Oops.
NOT BROADCASTEZE...that's for sure
Every now and again, I have to take note of some of the street talk they use on the news at KCOP. This time, Gina Silva said "The secret to flaunting a firm booty on the catwalk....." Maybe they can also open the newscasts by saying "Whassup?"
REDUNDANCY OF THE WEEK
Who: Michelle Tuzee
Where: KABC-TV
What: Jewish Synagogue
I think it's a safe bet that neither Michelle or the writer who wrote that is Jewish.
Put your hand on the monitor and count to three....one, two, three....HEAL!!
YOUR OPINIONS
They are always welcome. You can reach me at BRUIN74@aol.com. Unless you say otherwise, I will assume your comments are for publication.
Ron's disclaimer: Like all reporters I have opinions. I do the best I can to make sure that nothing I say here has any effect on my objectivity in covering stories.
OTR's main page IS PUBLISHED MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY. Letters are added Tuesday - Friday.
 |
