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.