If It Bleeds, It Leads
That phrase has been uttered in every local newsroom in which I have been employed over a three decades plus old broadcasting career. Doubtless it is used in newsrooms around the world but I don’t know how to say it in every language so we’ll just leave it at that.
Since 9/11 our approach has become even more tenacious. Of course no one wants a tragedy. If one occurs, we want to give the best information possible. What they don’t say but is totally implied is that we’d like to dispense the news at a pace which outstrips our competition – if that’s at all possible. I paraphrase the speeches I’ve heard over time regarding all holidays, snowstorms, public gatherings.
Because we are on High Alert for (insert cause for alarm here) activity, you will be at work ALL DAY instead of your usual schedule.
There are no other details and the instructions are as always, be vigilant.
That is also what was known as Tuesday in Cleveland when I was growing up, okay?!
Regarding possible terrorism attacks, I’m actually of the unpopular opinion that it is wise to NOT release all the details.
The DC “total transparency” types act as if bad guys can’t read or don’t have TVs and radios. Of course these types are also only interested in being able to see straight through things which don’t pertain to their misdoings and mishandling of resources.
Meanwhile, the news media — yep, I said it,
The Media (of which I am a more and more reluctant participant) increasingly creates an uproar, for any reason, at any time, often not totally substantiated, and generally quite repetitive.
I get the “inform, educate, entertain” premise of television. That used to be the mandate. Now it’s “panic, frighten, scare to death”. Even when the snowstorm happens on the weekend. The only people at work will be TV types telling people who don’t have to go anywhere not to go there. We update the power outages and if you don’t have power, you don’t know we’re doing that for you. We’ve described snowstorms in biblical proportions and between you and me, I’m thinking Armageddon will not be white and fluffy.
Sometimes it does seem as though the execs are secretly hoping something happens so we can be on the air with it first — their eyes toward promoting that fact when the right amount of time has passed after the event but just in time for the award nomination process.
Disgusting. I know. It’s a living. Got to stick with it until the end now.
I’d respect them more if they had just said it out loud instead of watching it seep out of them while expressing false concern, but I guess you can’t really say something like that out loud and somebody has to tell the story. This isn’t really the kind of storytelling I signed up for so long ago.
Is there any other business where people delight in being the bearer of bad tidings? Do doctors like telling people they’re ill? Do the exterminators get a kick out of termite infestations?
I do know mechanics love finding other things wrong with cars. They are the exception for sure.
I realize life’s misfortunes are what actually keep a lot of experts employed. Many services, stores, and professions exist to fill in our blanks; take care of the things we’re unable or unwilling to do ourselves. For me, my hands are up concerning pretty much anything involving dirt, bugs, or grass –Thank God for people who like to encounter those things — yet I digress.
I know we are a symbiotic society, living in tandem with one another, providing fulfillment for another’s lack as our own needs are met from some other end. What I have come to know now though is, while it has been quite the lucrative professional choice for me, people could have, still can, and are beginning to live without television as social media is stepping across TV as the bridge to what’s next. I’m not really a social media fan either but I recognize a revolution when I see one. It’s time to join it.
We would all benefit from reading more — just plain printed words on paper –including the low ranking terrorist types, foreign and home grown, who follow the talkers but have never actually cracked the pages of the book they allege is fueling their actions. I’m of the opinion their reading the book and practicing what it actually preaches might make a difference.
TV has always been a total body exercise. It requires one to sit, watch, and listen to it. For as much research as there has been done on criminal activity, using massive doses of television has not been explored as a deterrent, only a possible culprit. Scientists are missing the boat on that point.
There’s no multi-tasking where TV is concerned.
Okay, so there’s no physical multi-tasking with reading either except the mind is stimulated to expand and create its own sounds and pictures, to get people out of their mundane existence by introducing another possible reality.
(Auto correct just tried to make “reality” into “tea kitty”. Hunh?! Just another example of people needing to let someone else do their thinking for them)
Don’t get me wrong,
I STILL LOVE THE TAKE ONE TAKE TWO PART!! Thrilling! There’s nothing like the rush from the immediacy of a live broadcast, no matter the subject matter.
I’m just not enamored with our content and the constant telling people what to fear in between the commercials.
I’d rather be making pasta or something else from scratch.
Time to go to work and do the news.
(This is an edited excerpt originally from an email conversation with a good friend)