Proud of the Product
when people ask me how i like my job (now that i’m no longer working in mainstream news), i often say that in my previous jobs i’ve loved what i was doing, but haven’t really cared about the medium. while there is room for certain types of creativity, and it can be crazy and exciting, the ideas behind network news tend to box you in, and become very formulaic. in my job now, i still enjoy what i do, but i’m passionate about our delivery and content.
i’ve never been prouder of a product - at this station or others - than i was last night. as far as i’ve seen, every other major news network has been more than eager to give the VA Tech killer a platform by airing his creepy pictures and chilling video. to be honest, when i first heard about the package sent to NBC, my initial reaction (and the reaction of a lot of us who also have network backgrounds) was - how can we get this on our air?! then as things began to unfold - we saw the screenshots, heard what he had to say, watched the video - i became more and more convinced that airing this would be the wrong thing to do. it would be exactly what Cho WANTED everyone to do. it was exactly what most networks did - and extremely thoroughly - bringing in experts, analyzing, running special promos. and in my opinion, with each action, extending the killer’s platform and sphere of influence.
so our department heads had a meeting, where the general consensus was - no we are NOT going to air this. if someone wants to see it, they have plenty of options. we’re not going to play into sensationalizing this upsetting event. i know i’ve said this, but i don’t think i’ve ever been more proud of a place i’ve worked. not jumping on the bandwagon (not all the way, anyway), is part of what i love about this place.
when viewers, families, and friends lashed out at the networks for giving the killer excessive time on air, NBC issued a statement. one of the things they mentioned: “The decision to run this video was reached by virtually every news organization in the world, as evidenced by coverage on television, on Web sites and in newspapers.” As if somehow that makes it OK. this in a nutshell hit me as what’s wrong with network news - at least when it comes to certain situations. they know someone else will get the video, they know someone else will run it. they know it’s sensational and shocking, and in a twisted way people will want to see it. i think they know it’s pandering to the lowest common denominator, but no one’s willing to put their foot down. i know full well that at any of my previous stations i would have had this argument and even if somone agreed with me (even if my boss agreed with me), not airing it would almost not have been an option.
that’s why i have renewed faith for my company. it’s true - we don’t have networks or media companies to answer to. our bosses, CEO and Chairman tend to be on the same page. and i know it’s a little idealistic, but i truly believe that (slowly but surely) we’re changing the face of media. (and that one day i won’t be asked to repeat myself when i tell people where i work. they’ll already know what it is.)