Are They Really That Clueless?

Those kids at WANE-15 gave the Maven a little chuckle. 

Apparently, there's a nationwide outage affecting some Microsoft products that use the "cloud". 

So, when the youngsters in the newsroom needed something for a graphic, they pull a stock picture of Windows software in boxes on a big-box retailer's shelf. 

Same thing? Right?

The fun continues as Fort Wayne City Utilities will revert back to their Pre-COVID business practices of enforcing disconnects and pursuing collections. 

 

Nice graphic, kids, but Fort Wayne City Utilities provides water and sewer services, not electric service.

And not to be outdone, the forgettable news kiddos at WFFT 55 also seem to think that Fort Wayne City Utilities provides natural gas and electrical service.

 

Sloppy

The Governor's seemingly endless Executive Orders can be confusing.

Either a WANE - 15 staffer is confused or is a fat-fingered typist. No matter what the explanation/excuse, this looks like sloppy work. 

Note the start time for Phase 5:

Now, compare the the "official" document from Governor Eric Holcomb:

Sure, this nitpicking but this illustrates the point that the accuracy and credibility of the WANE -15 news brand often times rests upon a lazy reliance on technology, or a failure to check one's work. 

Inept Reporting Hurts Homicide Survivor's Families

The families of homicide victims suffer more than the loss of a loved one. They often must suffer the long road to finding closure for their loss. Often, that road is a dead end. 

Another indignity they must endure is the often well-meaning media's mistakes and inaccuracies. 

On September 16, WANE-15 published and aired this news story.

WANE 15 offered a list of local homicides by victim names followed by the word "no arrests have been made".

Just one problem:

The list is incorrect since, in three of the homicide victims cases listed, ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE. In fact, WANE 15 reported those arrests on their own air and on their website. 

Rather than rely on WANE's own reporting, the Maven has used the more credible reporting of the Journal Gazette's Jamie Duffy to highlight WANE 15's errors.

According to WANE 15’s list: 

Kenneth Frierson II, 28, was killed June 19 in the 5400 block of Werling Drive, Fort Wayne. No arrests have been made.

But the Journal Gazette shows otherwise:

According to WANE 15’s list: 

Allen Lamar Ruffin, 31, was killed on July 21 in the 2500 block of Lillie Avenue Fort Wayne. No arrests have been made.

But the Journal Gazette published this:

According to WANE 15’s list: 

Frederick Sanders, 29, was killed on July 26 in the 1100 block of East Lewis St. Fort Wayne. No arrests have been made.

But the Journal Gazette reported this:

WANE 15's list also included the name of a suicide victim who died in a murder-suicide. Honoring the long-standing journalistic practice of not naming suicide victims, the Maven will not list the name but will point out to WANE 15 that making an arrest of a perpetrator of a murder/suicide is not only unlikely, but it's also physically impossible. 

Andy Trolls For A Co-host

The TV commercials are relentless. Andy Beckman lands on his feet at WAJI Majic 95.1. 

You may recall that Andy was rather unceremoniously pushed out the door at WMEE 97.3 three months ago as management indicated it was 'going in another direction' which is code for 'we've lost confidence in you, please clean out your desk'. 

The more effective (annoying) of the 2 commercials running now notes that Andy does not have a co-host. 

Of course it's a well-executed publicity stunt, but the question remains...why does Andy's co-host have to be a woman? Is this a possible EEOC violation? Or is it setting the stage for the possible return of Andy's former co-host while she sits out a non-compete clause? Or maybe Andy's new co-host hasn't yet found her way to Fort Wayne from another market. 

Whatever happens, keep watching for an updated commercial flight to tell the story. 

After surviving the infamous FedMed talent-grinder for a number of years, the Maven wishes Andy well, as he transitions to a radio operation known for it's values and ethics and respect for their employees. 

Pet Peeve #16

Things that drive the Maven crazy: When the headline misleads the reader. Or, as an old, grumpy journalism professor used to say "when the carpet doesn't match the drapes". 

According to WOWO's headline, Fort Wayne Community Schools might see a tax increase.

However, reading the story, it's property owners living in the Fort Wayne Community Schools area that could see a tax increase. 

So, kids, which one is it? You credit the Journal Gazette, the least you could have done is not distorted the facts in their story you copied and pasted. 

 

It would be helpful if those writing the news (or copying off of someone else's paper) could actually bother to check their work before releasing it to the general public. 

The story can be found here: 

https://www.wowo.com/fwcs-could-see-2-tax-rate-increase

WFFT Geographically Challenged?

In the arena of local TV news, it's pretty easy to write a news story. 

An official authority releases a notification (Press Release) to the media, and the media basically regurgitates the information fed to them. 

Note the address in the official coroner's release:

Because TV and social media require some sort of graphic to entertain the eyes of the audience, a map is created. This consists of entering the address provided from the official press release into Google Maps or an equivalent application. 

Any Fort Wayne resident who has lived here for more that one TV rating period should note that 1500 Old Mill Road in Fort Wayne is NOT equivalent to 15000 Mill Road in the Poe/Hoagland area. The CORRECT location is plotted here:

For the kids at WFFT: the "cut and paste" style of TV journalism only works if you include all the zeros in the address when you enter it into Google Maps. 

Just one of the reasons why the Maven often forgets that WFFT has a newscast. 

The original story is here:  https://www.wfft.com/content/news/Mill-Road-fire-victim-identified-by-Allen-County-coroner-572283241.html?fbclid=IwAR0B9501VP2aaLWod1aI3Q28B3uu5eN40FxRIfC