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A media critique... and then some! Banned in Beijing, Kabul, and at KCAL TV.
Tuesday Letters are UP - comments on wearing flag pins, who is a "terrorist", Paula Madison, and more. Inside LA TV - A new news director for KNBC, another one is leaving, and the anchor seen with an out of town news director. Links to Recent Issues 09-24-01 Monday's OTR 09-26-01 Wednesday's OTR 09-28-01 Friday's OTR If you'd like to send a contribution to help keep OTR going, you can send 10 dollars to Ron Fineman, PO Box 42364, Bakersfield, CA 93384 Or you can send $ on-line. Just click on the PayPal Logo. Thanks to our latest contributors....Steve Parker, David Beringer, and David Chan. Your help is appreciated! |
To get on the OTR email reminder list, email me at BRUIN74@aol.com. |
BONNER GONE
OTR has learned that Michelle Bonner is out as sports anchor at KCOP. As I learn more, I'll pass it along.
FLAG PINS AND PATRIOTIC RIBBONS
Is it appropriate for TV journalists to wear flag pins or red, white and blue ribbons while on the job? I would suggest it is not a good idea. And for those of you just tuning in, I am very supportive of the military action our government is expected to take. The question is, what sort of signal does do the ribbons and pins send? They say that the wearer is American and supports our country. But how does that support play out? The way I remember it during the Vietnam War, the flag symbolized support for US policy. I can't help but think it will be the same this time. If I see an anchor wearing a red, white and blue ribbon, I would assume that means they support Bush policies. I would think a reporter or anchor who is wearing the flag is less likely to ask critical questions of our government. You can certainly love the USA and support the president without wearing the red, white and blue. But if a reporter is out covering an anti-war demonstration, won't their credibility be questioned by the demonstrators if they're wearing the flag? As much as I disagree with the demonstrators, I would want to do my best to present their side as fairly as possible, and I'd want them to feel I had no bias.
Let's try a "for instance." Not too long ago I interviewed a leader of the Islamic Public Affairs Council. This was after a Muslim student had been kicked out of the White House, which brought an apology from President Bush. The Islamic leader said much of what we've been hearing lately. They're not terrorists....they're good American citizens, just like everyone else. I did my best to convey his message, and I assume he was pleased with the story. During the interview, he also made it clear that he believed American media are biased in favor of Israel. Suppose I had been wearing a Star of David necklace? Do you suppose he would've felt as comfortable talking to me? Even though the symbol wouldn't necessarily imply support for Israeli policy, it would likely be perceived that way. So, as always, it comes down to perception. We as journalists should report as objectively as we can, and we should wear no symbols which might suggest otherwise. That doesn't make us unpatriotic, anymore than someone who flies the flag should be considered a true patriot, while selling all their stocks after September 11th. The flag can mean different things to different people, depending on the circumstance. Some things just aren't as simple as they seem.
When you are finished with the main page, feel free to give your opinion by clicking on the Poll section on the menu.
RESPONDING TO THE CO-ANCHOR AD-LIB
After reading a story about the World Trade Center attack, KTLA anchor Hal Fishman (apparently) ad-libbed that if they had used asbestos in the buildings, fire would not have spread so fast, and maybe the buildings would not have fallen. But when Fishman added those comments, he seemed to address them to co-anchor Lynette Romero as well as to the audience. Romero commented that people would be talking about this for a long time. A pretty empty comment, but then again, what was she supposed to say? I thought this put Romero in an awkward situation. It was clear that she needed to say something, and that is my concern. News should be addressed to the audience. A co-anchor shouldn't be in the position of having to react to information, especially when it is suddenly thrown out there. While it may not have been his intention, I felt like the exchange unfairly diminished Romero as co-anchor. If the asbestos information was important, why not put in the script, and read it like the rest of the story?
STRANGE SELF-CENSORSHIP
It was reported that the Simpson's episode which showed the World Trade Center had been dropped from syndication. Isn't this going too far? Should all references to the twin towers be deleted from TV shows, movies and books? President Bush and Mayor Giuliani have both asked for life to go on as normally as possible. Throwing out a cartoon which happens to include the World Trade Center would seem to be a step in the wrong direction.
GETTING HISTORY RIGHT
What with all the talk about Jesse Jackson going to Afghanistan, KCBS interviewed Andrew Ramirez...one of the soldiers Jackson got released from Yugoslavia. For some reason both anchor Harold Greene and reporter Jennifer Sabih referenced that Ramirez had been captured in Bosnia. In fact, he was captured along the Serbia/Macedonia border. This was part of our intervention in the Serbian province of Kosovo, not Bosnia. It wasn't that long ago, was it?
WHERE HAS KCAL BEEN?
On their 3:00pm news today, Mia Lee announced that the Emmys would now be a coast-to-coast affair, with presenters in both New York and LA. Now, how many days ago was that announced by the Emmy people? How you can take information that is days old, and then write it like it just happened? What's next...."the World Trade Center has been attacked."
ANY ACCESS HOLLYWOOD READERS?
If you work for Access Hollywood, please drop me an email. There's something I wanted to ask you. Thanks!
FUNNY HOW THE PRIORITIES CHANGE
On KABC's 11pm news last week, they had a story about search warrant being served on Bruce Koklich. His wife is the daughter of former State Senator Paul Carpenter, who has been missing. It was big news when she disappeared, and it continued to be news when Koklich refused to take a lie detector test, and when his wife's car was found. Now, KABC reported that a search warrant was served on Koklich connected with a sexual assault in the last week. Were it not for September 11th, that might easily have been a lead story. Instead, it was at the end of the second segment.
By the way...don't worry, KCBS has still found time to do a story to promote CBS's next edition of Survivor during their news. And, this weekend on KABC, they actually had Lora McLaughin do a package on Jennifer Lopez getting married. Their current video consisted of cars driving away from the wedding. Then again, if not for 9/11....that might've been their lead!
CONTROVERSY ISN'T ALL BAD
An article in the LA Times said that ratings for Politically Incorrect were UP, in the days after Bill Maher's controversial comments. The stations which have dropped his show should be ashamed of themselves. They should also remember the name of the show.
WILLIAMS WINS OTR POLL
| Who is LA's best female anchor? | ||||
 |
votes | percent | ||
1.) Colleen Williams |
73 | 56% | ||
2.) Pat Harvey |
26 | 20% | ||
3.) Christine Divine |
32 | 24% | ||
I must admit the margin of victory for Williams in both this poll, and last week's, makes me suspect some pro-KNBC ballot stuffing, which we've seen before.
| Do you support the US going into other countries besides Afghanistan, to fight terrorism? | ||||
|
votes | percent | ||
|
1.) Yes |
115 | 88% | ||
|
2.) No |
6 | 5% | ||
|
3.) Undecided |
9 | 7% | ||
DOING THE SCORES RIGHT
As long as local sportscasters are going to show scores on the screen it would sure be nice if they did it right. Once again, I've noticed a couple of stations which put the winner on top, regardless of the home team. Bad idea. You should always be able to tell who the home team was, by simply seeing which team is listed on the bottom. That is a long standing sports tradition. There is no good reason to change it. If a viewer is confused by seeing the bigger score on the bottom, they should go directly over to Sesame Street, and leave the news behind.
BROADCASTEZE AND REDUNDANCY ROLLED INTO ONE
Who: Lora McLaughlin
Where: KABC-TV
What: "It is very much going on right now, at this hour."
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.
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