FWNBC - Ambiguous As Hell

The Maven presents episode 26 of "Which Is It, Kids?"

In an otherwise good story. the kids at Fort Wayne's NBC confuse their audience. 

The top, bolded headline gives the impression that local homeless shelters are not full.

The bottom paragraph indicates that local shelters are full and homeless people have nowhere to go. 

OK, kids...which is it?

Ignorant Media

Fresh on the heels of a regrettable "live shot" at noon today noting the disappearance of a "work surfer" at an area lake...WANE 15 does it again. 

In social media posts, WANE 15 tells the story of a robbery at the Auburn Salvation Army.

The pictures are clear and detailed, and authorities should have no trouble finding the thieves. 

However, the real crime is the mislabeling of the offense. The news article describes a theft, not a robbery. Kids, there is a difference.

The story is clear that items were taken from the Salvation Army location after business hours and no one from the facility was present.

According to Lawyers.com, here's the difference between a theft and a robbery. Maybe the kids in the WANE 15 newsroom could print this out and tack it on the bulletin board.

From Lawyers.com:

Typically, theft occurs when someone:

• takes money or property without authorization
• carries the property away, and
• intends to keep the property permanently.

A robbery normally happens when someone takes money or property:

• directly from another person
• without consent
• with the intent to keep it permanently
• by the use of or the threat of force.

When In Doubt, Blame The Equipment

Modern computer technology has allowed the broadcasting industry to maximize profits by cutting staff and automating many functions of broadcasting. The argument could be made that technology has allowed financially marginal stations to survive in a competitive arena. 

However, when listeners hear two or three commercials, one on top of the other, in morning drive, or on the weekend hear Rush Limbaugh and an investment guru selling snake oil simultaneously for an hour...one has to question what price stations pay for appearing to be incompetent. 

A Media Maven reader experienced an issue and expressed an opinion to a local radio broadcaster. The reader graciously has allowed the Maven to share the exchange.

This is typical of media. Blame the technology hoping the listener will accept the explanation and simply go away. 

However, the explanation is a lie. Consider: if the technology "failed" as the station representative explained, then listeners would hear nothing. If, however, the sequence of program events were entered into the automation system incorrectly, the result is often referred to as a "train wreck" on the air. 

The issue that media needs to understand is that their audiences are not quite as gullible or ignorant as they presume. And one turn of the knob or punch of a preset button is often the result of their malfeasance. 

The Media Elite

A curious choice of words to describe Fort Wayne's Southwest Chick-fil-a reopening. 

WPTA ABC21's News Princess referred to the popular restaurant as a "fast food joint". 

Why the disparaging words? 

Is this the case of the Media Elite looking down their noses at viewers who enjoy the food and the Conservative values of the Chick-fil-a parent company? 

Or is it simply a case of overblown, out-of-touch news anchor ego? 

Do the Emmy's now have a category for self-importance?

Sure as hell looks like it!

Media Elite Problems

The Maven got a good chuckle out of this Tweet. 

Maybe she can't pronounce the street names, but apparently, she’s savvy enough to get the diva treatment from the airlines to correct her mistake of being a month off on her reservation dates.

Happens to us all, no?

An Act of Journalism

Journalism. Remember that?

On June 1 the News Sentinel's Kevin Leininger did his homework and footwork and answered a number of questions about a large, ugly building on West Jefferson.

Mr. Leininger researched the address, interviewed people involved with the situation and published a well-written story. That's how Journalism used to be done. 

How is Journalism done today?

Four days later the kids at the TV stations read Mr. Leininger's story, added some video, and passed the story on to their viewers as if they, the TV kids, had done all the work Mr. Leininger did. 

The least they could do is send Mr. Leininger a thank you note.

Media Decides Winner and Losers?

Kudos to WOWO's Pat Miller for a Monday afternoon faux pax, and quick recovery. 

Mr, Miller, WOWO afternoon host and staunch Conservative was interviewing Andy Downs, PFW professor and democrat party activist about Tuesday's Municipal election.

While discussing the Republican candidates in the highly contentious primary race, Mr. Miller remarked that on the Democrat side, incumbent Mayor Tom Henry was unopposed. 

After some texts were sent to WOWO, and running a Gina Burgess for mayor commercial in the next commercial cluster, Mr. Miller quickly mentioned that Ms. Burgess and Tommy Schader were also on the Democrat primary ballot. 

To his credit, Mr. Miller's misstep was minor and was quickly corrected. However, the issue of how the local media generally treats "fringe candidates" continues to show how media is complicit in choosing winners and losers. The cozy relationship between the current political ruling elite and the media elite is easy to see. The Journal Gazette can't seem to decide if Ms. Burgess is a Republican (as stated in print) or a Democrat (as stated in print). Other media feature "mainstream" candidate interviews at more favorable times than those pesky "fringe candidates" because they fear viewers will flee if Tommy Schrader, for example, pops up during a high viewership newscast slot.  

Because media helps determine winners and losers, the Maven ponders the money that could be saved if we just let the news media tell us who our next "rulers" will be.