My conversation with a D/FW news anchor (417 hits)
Category: NewsRating: -0.5 on 10 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by I_love_kracka (View user info) at 2006-12-29 22:49:13 EST
First - its really raining hard here and I have nothing better to do at this very moment in my life than post this. I know its long also.
Background: I was watching the news at home - sadly, a 20 year old boy was driving a car, lost control and wrecked. There were 4 people in the car, 1 died - a 13 year old boy. This is a terrible, tragic thing. The driver made a mistake. We all have. However - the news anchor repeatedly implied that the 20 year old should be locked away. There was never once a "our hearts go out the all the families involved" - just bullshit the whole evening.
SOOOO - below you will se the email I sent him last night, the response he sent me and my response to him. I can't wait to see what he writes (I obviously have no life) and I will post it as soon as I get one. Their website is www.kdfwfox4.com the anchor is Steve Eager.
Topic: Viewers Voice
Comments:
Im a fan of your news - however - tonight I was bothered enough to
actually send an email.
During the story of the 20 yr old who hit a tree in Mansfield and where
the 13 year old died - over and over you pointed out that no charges
are
being pressed, "how can someone die and no charges be filed" - stay
tuned to find out more.
This is so wrong of you. The boy (even though he is 20 - still very
young) who was driving is clear. WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. Can you for once
imagine how the families of all parties involved feel everytime you
turn
up the drama and force an issue.
GREAT JOURNALISM - I think that you should fire the people who type out
what your anchors read. They are doing a horrible job. Or is the the
perfect station where mistakes are never made?
*****************************************************************
That went to a general mailbox - however, the anchor responded with the following:
I am going to copy and paste some of the scripts from last night's
newscasts so you will know exactly what was said on our air.
5:30 pm Story into:
GOOD EVENING, I'M STEVE EAGAR.
FIRST ON FOX FOUR NEWS AT 5:30:
A BIG DEVELOPMENT IN THE INVESTIGATION OF A CRASH THAT KILLED A NORTH
TEXAS TEENAGER.
THE YOUNG DRIVER WHO CAUSED THE ACCIDENT IS OUT OF JAIL AND DOES NOT
FACE ANY CHARGES.
FOX FOUR'S NATALIE SOLIS IS AT THE MANSFIELD JAIL WHERE THE DRIVER WAS
RELEASED.
9pm Story:
THE DRIVER WHO CRASHED AND KILLED A 13 YEAR OLD PASSENGER.... WALKED
OUT
OF JAIL TODAY AND WILL NOT FACE CHARGES.
FOX4'S LYNN KAWANO IS AT THE "MANSFIELD JAIL".... WITH THE NEW
DEVELOPMENT THAT LED TO THE DRIVER'S RELEASE.
HEADLINES FOR 10pm Newscast
THE DRIVER WHO CRASHED A CAR, KILLING A 13-YEAR OLD - GOES FREE.
WHY POLICE SAY THEY COULD NOT KEEP HIM IN JAIL.
10p Story:
THE DRIVER WHO CRASHED AND KILLED A 13-YEAR OLD PASSENGER ... IS FREE
TONIGHT.
POLICE SAY THERE IS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CHARGE HIM.
FOX 4'S LYNN KAWANO IS LIVE AT THE MANSFIELD JAIL WHERE THE DRIVER WAS
RELEASED.
Ok Amanda, those are exact text copies of what we said on the air, and
none matches what you put in quotes, not even vaguely.
So, after reading what we really said... above, and re-reading what you
said we said, below... how should I respond to your email?
I am glad you are a fan and hope you continue to watch.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Steve Eagar
Fox 4 News
*************************************************************
This is what I sent him tonight:
Mr. Eager,
Thank you for your prompt response. Yes - my sentence
was not exact - merely making a point.
So let me be a little more direct using the quotes
provided below.
1. THE DRIVER WHO CRASHED A CAR, KILLING A 13-YEAR
OLD
> - GOES FREE.
> WHY POLICE SAY THEY COULD NOT KEEP HIM IN JAIL.
Why is it necessary to point out why they could not
keep him in jail. Is he a monster - did he kill
(murder) a child? Did he drink and drive? Was he high?
Or did he - like so many of us do - make a poor
decision? Or do YOU believe thats where he belongs?
2. THE YOUNG DRIVER WHO CAUSED THE ACCIDENT IS OUT OF
> JAIL AND DOES NOT
> FACE ANY CHARGES.
I believe that the media has a much greater
responsibility to society that to "report the news."
Often times by the mere tone in your voice, or the
look you make when you are telling a story, or the
simple emphasis of a syllable of an usually innoicent
word, you are denying people the opportunity to form
their own judgements regarding a story. Yes - people
can form their own thoughts with or without your tones
and looks - however - I believe people in general are
truly happy with having those decisions (however small
or subconscious) made for them - its one less thing to
worry about. It is your job to report the news, not
judge the news in with your own infractions and looks.
So hopefully you will find this easier to respond to.
I know there are several questions here and I will
understand if it takes times to respond. I will also
understand if you don't want to debate integrity and
ethics vs. ratings.
Happy New Year,
****************************************
You know what is the worst part of all this - he (the anchor) is a little hottie - for an older guy.
User Reviews
Submitted by Unabonger (user info) at 2006-12-31 11:59:59 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
I think you'd be taken more seriously if your sentence structure and spelling were a little better.
And you shouldn't watch Fox news, Amanda. It'll rot your brain.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-12-31 10:03:47 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
OK, now that we're "friends", show me your hole.
Submitted by I_love_Kracka (user info) at 2006-12-30 20:57:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I got my first review from Shlongy - woohoo I feel special now
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-12-30 18:20:36 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No, the worst part of this is your stupid email to the anchor...and your SECOND stupid frucking email to the anchor.
Submitted by Amontillado (user info) at 2006-12-30 15:42:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
good luck with that
Submitted by pandora (user info) at 2006-12-30 02:00:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I believe that the media has a much greater
responsibility to society that to "report the news."
Often times by the mere tone in your voice, or the
look you make when you are telling a story, or the
simple emphasis of a syllable of an usually innoicent
word, you are denying people the opportunity to form
their own judgements regarding a story. Yes - people
can form their own thoughts with or without your tones
and looks - however - I believe people in general are
truly happy with having those decisions (however small
or subconscious) made for them - its one less thing to
worry about.
--------------------------
So, what is the answer? We could have robots read the news on TV and radio to avoid those pesky tones and facial expressions, but what about the people who write the news stories? How do we avoid them putting their own spin on things, or filtering events through their personal bias?
Frankly, I think we should just euthanize everyone over the age of ten who is so impressionable that the flicker of an anchorman's eyebrow can sway their opinion. Either that, or remove their rights to vote, have children, drink, drive, and own guns. That would work, too.
Submitted by Kracka (user info) at 2006-12-30 00:42:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
LOVE YOU
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2006-12-29 23:38:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
sAD THING IS: iM DRUNK AND READ THIS THINKING THT KRACKA WROTE IT.
Submitted by docker (user info) at 2006-12-29 23:23:52 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Needs more black people.
Submitted by locksly (user info) at 2006-12-29 22:57:31 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Wait - You watch Fox and THIS is the news story that you bother to write in about?