My wife and I are former journalists and we are becoming increasingly irritated over how the News is reported, specifically on television. First, let me point out that if you truly want 'just the facts,' it can be found in print publications or on the radio. The print media reporting of the news is limited only by space restrictions, so one would be able to get much of the details to be an informed citizen. Radio news reporting is limited to the time length of the newscast, usually five minutes or less (an hour); which would be just a summary.
Television news reporting is 'big business' and a visual medium which rakes in big bucks for the station owners (if they have good ratings). To garner the ratings - which IS the name of the game - TV stations go 'all out' to insure they are the one to watch. They resort to all sorts of gimmicks to attract your eyes and ears, to intrigue you, to pique your interest, and hook you to tune in to their broadcast instead of their competition. Of course, that's how it works, you say. And there is POWER in this tactic.
The problem that we are noticing is that there appears to be more gimmickry and gadgetry sometimes - than there is substance. Details are left out, the reporters place themselves into the story, the staff constantly states how they 'researched' ("worked their resources"), that they were first with the report (". . . we reported this earlier, " ". . . as we broke this story . ."), and constantly wave documents at the camera in an attempt to prove they have done their homework.
I DON'T CARE! Just report the details, completely and accurately. Forget all the 'homey chit chat' and give me INFORMATION!
Yes, television is a visual medium - but quit being so damn clever and just provide NEWS and not Vaudeville.
Walter Cronkite is, no doubt, shaking his head at the current state of local TV news broadcasts. Me too!
AARGH!
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About Me
- Mike -GR
- A retired former public relations practitioner, radio broadcaster, professional photographer, electronics geek and a Vietnam Vet.
1 comment:
You're punching my buttons on this one. Yes, it's a good thing that Uncle Walter has retired (and hopefully avoids local television) and Edward R. Morrow is reporting from that big newsroom in the sky (when he's not having private conversations with Dan Rather). Both Cronkite and Morrow would be quite dismayed at the state of local television news.
My first point is that we're an incredibly entertained society. We want everything to be amazing and amusing. Secondly, everything goes in cycles and I think this, like a bad cold, is just going to have to run its course.
However, maybe we can push the pendulum a little further so that it swings back to normal sooner.
Here are Uncle Crotchety's suggestions for taking local news to new levels. Fasten your seatbelts kids.
Anchors - Let's see some real enthusiasm here. I don't care how mundane the story, make it larger than life. Tremble and perspire as you read from the teleprompter. Choke back a few tears while you're at it. That'll give the story real creditability.
Special Effects - If they work for Hollywood, they'll work for local news. For instance, let's seperate those stories with a brief pulsating audio tone followed by a booming offcamera announcer's voice with heavy reverb "Dateline Walkererererer....".
Breaking News - The more the better. Instead a brief music bed, let's use a klaxton horn and tolling bells to introduce a reporter running frantically to the anchor desk with a flaming script. That'll wake up the folks who've nodded off.
Field Reporters - Brad Edwards, late of TV-8, used to knock on doors. Sorry, not forceful enough. Let's see the reporter pound on the door with both fists while sobbing "Why won't you talk to us? Our viewers just want to see you for a moment. Oh pleeeease!" Hey, it works on soap operas.
Weather - Let's get those animated weather maps going with a lot more action; whirling tornados, blinding lightning bolts, erupting volcanos, the big lake's waves eating away the shoreline, maybe an occasional UFO to keep things interesting. TV-13's weather deck is a good starting point, but add a wind machine and fake snow. The meteorologist should have all he can do to remain upright. Now that's interesting weather.
Sports - Standard fare for reporting basketball and football games is to have the camera anchored and follow the action. Let's take a lesson from the highly successful reality show "Cops". When the officers are chasing a bad guy on foot, the videographer runs with them, panting as he tries to keep up. You got it, let's put the photojournalist right down on the field or on the court running with whoever's got the ball. Sure he'll get knocked around a little, but we're talking compelling television here.
I have yet to figure a place for the Elvis impersonator squirting seltzer water, but I'm working on it. Now this is local news that P.T. Barnum would be proud of.
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