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A media critique... and then some!
Wednesday Letters are UP Inside LA TV - A KNBCer says Bob Tur isn't wanted there. In response, Marika Tur says 'remove us from your mailing list.' See how Howard Rosenberg figures into this one. Also, the latest on the return of Cheryl Carson to KTTV. Links to Recent Issues 11-12-01 Monday's OTR 11-07-01 Wednesday's OTR 11-09-01 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. Your help is appreciated! |
To get on the OTR email reminder list, email me at BRUIN74@aol.com. |
ANOTHER WAY TO FOOL THE VIEWERS
On Monday, we talked about KCBS saying their Emmy pre-show was live, even though it was on tape. That certainly was a blatant attempt to deceive viewers. But there are more subtle ways to let viewers think something is live, even though it is on tape. One good example of this can be found on KABC's early morning newscasts. They will have people on set, or in the newsroom and respond to them as if they are live, though they're really on tape. For example...On Sunday Morning, after a tape of David Ono teasing stories that would be coming up on Monday, anchor Ric Romero said "thanks" to the tape. He has done the same when they run a tape of Rob Fukuzaki doing sports from the night before. Romero isn't alone. Last week, after running a tape of George Pennacchio, with Pennacchio finishing his taped piece on set, Ellen Leyva said "Thank you George." And on another morning with Ono anchoring, he responded to a tape of Bill Weir with "Alright Bill, thank you."
I asked KABC news director Cheryl Fair about whether they should be telling their audience that the early morning sports report is on tape. Fair answered, "Ron... We never suggest that our early morning sports report is live...we don't call it live...we don't label it live...it's no different than a reporter piece which is also not live."
But I would contend that KABC is implicitly suggesting their early morning sports is indeed live. When you see someone on set in an early morning newscast, who is normally on set live...I believe many viewers are likely to assume that person is also live in the early morning....especially when the anchor says "thank you" after that person is finished. After all, how often do anchors says "thanks" to a taped reporter piece from the field? I know there is a CBS radio rule which says an anchor should not thank someone on tape. I think the reason for that rule is pretty clear. I would suggest KABC consider the same standard.
Once again, I'll let you look at the FCC rule on
this. While this case is not as clear cut as what KCBS did
with the Emmy show, I believe the FCC rule below is also being
violated by KABC. Now whether the FCC would agree,
or even cares about either of these situations may be another
question entirely.
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATIONCHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONSCOMMISSION (Continued)PART 73--RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES--Table of ContentsSubpart H--Rules Applicable to All Broadcast StationsSec. 73.1208 Broadcast of taped, filmed, or recorded material.(a) Any taped, filmed or recorded program material in which time is of special significance, or by which an affirmative attempt is made to create the impression that it is occurring simultaneously with the broadcast, shall be announced at the beginning as taped, filmed or recorded. The language of the announcement shall be clear and in terms commonly understood by the public. For television stations, the announcement may be made visually or aurally.(b) Taped, filmed, or recorded announcements which are of a commercial, promotional or public service nature need not be identified as taped, filmed or recorded.[37 FR 23726, Nov. 8, 1972]
COMING FRIDAY....
A reader will tell us how he witnessed local news people stage managing a demonstration they were covering. Also part two of our interview with KTLA Morning News Anchor Carlos Amezcua.
WHICH FOX STATION WAS IT?
I was checking out KTTV one night last week, and for a while, it was as if I was watching KCOP. It was like T&A central had gone north two dial positions. Fox acquires KCOP and suddenly it was as if something had gone terribly wrong. The blood transfusion went in reverse, and now the healthy patient was sick too. First there was a special report about a club for swingers. When that ended, they teased a story about reaching your sexual peak, and teased another story which showed video of busty babe weight lifters.
One person suggested to me that these stories might only be there because that was the night that Fox had run Temptation Island. Maybe that's all it was. So I trust "buns" and "booty" will not become part of the KTTV phrases of choice for better newscast writing.
SOMETIMES WE NEED MORE INFORMATION
Last week on KNBC, Colleen Williams reported that the West Hollywood City Council was considering a ban of using cell phones while driving. She said they would be holding a closed session meeting to consider the measure. As I was watching that, I couldn't understand how such a discussion could legally be held in closed session. The Brown Act allows only certain circumstances for closed sessions, like potential litigation, personnel issues, and union negotiations. It would've been nice if whoever wrote the story would've been informed enough to explain why the closed session was needed. TV news should at least try not to leave relevant questions unanswered.
RACE WHERE IT DOESN'T MATTER
I haven't brought this one up in a while. I'd like to believe that's because more stations are careful about not making this sort of mistake. In any case, KTLA's Willa Sandmeyer told us that the victim in a murder was an "Asian Male in his mid-60s." It sounded as if she took that right from the lips of a police officer. Exactly why the race of the victim was relevant, she didn't say. I realize this is not as offensive as bringing up the race of a criminal, but it is equally beside the point of the story. Unless there is reason to believe that race is a factor in a crime, why bring it up?
CONTROL THOSE GRAPHICS
Everyone covered the opening of a new Hollywood entertainment/shopping complex last week. When Garth Kemp was doing his story for KABC, he read off a list of stores at the complex, including Dior. As he was finishing the list, suddenly up popped a graphic at the bottom of the screen which said "Shop! Dior." It had to be a mistake. Right after the "Shop! Dior" graphic, came a couple of others which were obviously meant for later in the newscast. But there is nothing like a mistake like that, to turn a fluff piece into a blatant commercial that doesn't belong there.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE HIGH GEAR?
Too often news writers thrown in words and phrase that they must think sound good, yet they aren't accurate. It's another one of those TV triumphs of style over substance. On KCOP Monday Night, they reported that Richard Riordan's campaign for governor was "kicking into high gear tonight." For one thing, everything they reported happened during the day. But what the heck, let's just say "tonight" because it sounds more current. The truth is secondary. As many of you know, the "tonight" lie is one of the most enduring in local TV news. But my bigger point here is the use of "high gear." Riordan had breakfast with some Korean War Veterans, and then the story said he took some Republicans on a tour of LA so he could show off some of his accomplishments. That was it. When I think "high gear," I expect someone is busy day and night, maybe hitting at least a couple of different cities, with many campaign appearances and TV commercials. When we get closer to election time, I'm sure we'll see that. Maybe this seems trivial to you, but why shouldn't every word in a story be as accurate as possible? If KCOP thinks the Riordan campaign is now in high gear, I'd suggest they hire a political reporter. In fact, based on the size of their staff, I suggest they hire any reporter.
ANOTHER SANCHEZISM
Lauren Sanchez called Condoleezza Rice "National Secretary Advisor." I can hear the phone call now from the president..."Hello Condi? I'm hiring a new secretary. Is it okay to have her make me coffee? Is typing 50 words a minutes fast enough? Afghanistan? Don't worry your pretty little head about that. Just keep that national secretarial pool humming."
HOW FAST THINGS TURNED AROUND
One week it seems the Northern Alliance is struggling. Then suddenly they're winning. It is hard to imagine a more evil backward group of people than the Taliban, and therefore more deserving to lose a war. If women under the Taliban were second class citizens, it would be a great improvement for women. But when you think about the mistreatment of women in other Muslim countries, then you realize the Taliban are just the worst of the lot, but not a complete aberration. As long as there are honor killings in that part of the world, you know there is a LONG way to go.
One way that I feel like TV news has failed us in this, is giving us a better explanation of just what the Northern Alliance stands for. The Feminist Majority, which has rallied against the Taliban here in America, says the Northern Alliance is no better for women. Maybe that evaluation is an exaggeration...I don't know. Our country's goal of course is to root out terrorism, which came to mean getting rid of the current government. But it would be a crime to leave Afghanistan in the hands of people who also disrespect women. I realize it's not over yet, and it's not clear what sort of government will take over. Let's hope it's one which realizes it's the 21st Century...or at least the 20th.
REDUNDANCY OF THE WEEK
Who: Tricia Takasugi
Where: KTTV
What: "Jewish Synagogue"
CLICHE OF THE WEEK
Who: Gretchen Carr
Where: KCBS
What: "lucky to be alive"
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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