Assignments
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
House Bill 259 is causing quite a debate between smokers and non-smokers, in North Carolina.
There are several sides to this story. On one side…we have the smokers who believe they should be allowed to light up their tobacco products anywhere they wish, including in restaurants.
We have the non-smokers who argue they should be afforded to the opportunity to enjoy a meal, at public restaurant, without having be in a smoke filled room.
And yet, there is a third side…the business owners. Many area restaurants and bars claim that having to go smoke-free will force them out of business.
Now in it’s third edition, the bill is still in the works. The debate over the health risks and implications continue. And today, the House voted to postpone any action on the bill until May 1st, 2007. So for now, you can continue to smoke in public.
The bigger question is how long will that last?
I wonder, will this bill ever come to a vote? Could it pass in an area that is deeply rooted to Tobacco farms?
I encourage your comments.
Meanwhile, here is today’s webcast.
Jason
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/25 at 05:03 PM
Friday, April 20, 2007
Anytime I speak at colleges and universities, I am always asked about how news is decided. I figured I would take a few minutes to explain the process.
Everyday, we have editorial meetings. These meetings are at the same times, everyday. The first one is at 9am followed by one at 11am and 3pm.
These meetings are an opportunity for the producers, content coordinators, reporters, photographers, promotions staff and management to come together and discuss possible stories. Most of the news decisions are made in advance of these meetings. In fact, many times the decisions are made a day in advance.
The purpose of the editorial meeting is to bring everyone in on the game plan, answer questions and adjust the plan, as necessary. It is also an opportunity to begin discussing potential stories for the following day(s).
Essentially what we do is go around the room and listen to all the story suggestions. We discuss stories that we have seen or heard in the community. We go over all the stories that viewers like you, have called or emailed to us. If the story is for a future day, it is handed to our station’s planning editor. More on that position, later. On average, the meetings last 30 minutes.
Every staff member has a voice in the editorial meetings. Through this blog, I am hoping to give you a voice in our editorial meetings, as well.
Here’s today’s webcast.
Jason
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/20 at 08:41 AM
Thursday, April 19, 2007
I want to take a moment and share some viewer comments that NBC17 has received, in regards to the use of the video and images of Virginia Tech shooter, Cho Seung-Hui.
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“PLEASE remove the picture of Cho pointing a gun at the world from your web page. I find it offensive, distrubing and frankly, uncalled for. Pictures of the those poor innocent students should be displayed.”
“Would you please do your viewers a service and STOP showing those disgusting pictures of the terrorist at Virginia Tech. Have you thought anything about the families of the victims? Have you thought about that fact there may be other troubled people seeing those pictures and deciding the publicity is GREAT, and go out and do the same thing?”
“There is no reason to show them and you are doing exactly what he wanted the media to do…YOU are continuing his act of terrorism. Shame on you!”
“NOBODY needs to see what those poor students saw first-hand. Show some compassion, we’ve stopped watching the Today Show and until we know producers and reporters are showing some common sense, we will NOT watch. I know you’re not the only ones showing them, but your network was the FIRST and should have had more feelings for PEOPLE, not ratings. How would you all feel if a member of your family was involved and traumatized?”
“Please don’t aire the garbage that was sent in by that man!! By so doing, you are continuing his power over all of us, which was his wish! Use your power as the media and take away his ability to further hurt this Nation!”
As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
Jason
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/19 at 12:31 PM
There has been a lot of discussion about the use of the VT Massacre pictures and video, by NBC News.
As a local news organization, we have a responsibility to report the news. I want to take a moment and explain to you what we have decided, as it relates to NBC17’s use of the massacre video and images.
Below is a statement from NBC17 News Director, Nannette Wilson.
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The decision to air the video and statements from Cho Seung-Hui was not made lightly by NBC 17 News.
Like NBC News, careful consideration was, and continues, to be given to all aspects of this very difficult story. We recognize the sensitive nature of this particular material for the families of the victims, the Virginia Tech community and all of our viewers who are undoubtedly affected by this story.
We agree with NBC News that Cho’s statements and videos may offer some insight into the critical question of why a person would commit such a horrible act. We want to give our viewers an opportunity to see and judge for themselves. We also want to give viewers the option of not watching the video by warning them about the nature of this content before it airs.
There will be limited use of the video going forward, and we will continue to warn viewers if and when we do.
As always, we encourage feedback from our viewers and find their input invaluable in our quest to serve our community better, every day.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/19 at 12:01 PM
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
In a bizarre development, the gunman who open fire on the campus of Virginia Tech has sent a package to NBC News.
According to MSNBC, the package contains pictures and a manifesto from the shooter, Cho Seung-Hui. The images are disturbing. Among the items sent to NBC News, a date and time stamped video tape of Cho Seung-Hui. It is believed that he recorded his statements in between the two shootings on the campus.
As a news organization, we are faced with deciding how to present these pictures, and in what context to air the video of Seung-Hui. We recognize that these images may be upsetting to some of our viewers. We understand that you may have children and not want them to see or hear this information.
I welcome your thoughts or comments on the media’s use of these pictures/video.
Jason
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/18 at 04:58 PM
