Enough With The Clickbait!

 Lion(s) loose in Fort Wayne??!! 

No, not Fort Wayne, but if you "click" the story, you find it's somewhere else Indiana, but no where near Fort Wayne.

Meanwhile, residents of Northwest Fort Wayne near our zoo, having read the headline on the Facebook post, have pulled their kids inside, pulled down their blinds, and are loading their shotguns. 

Clickbait news stories. An annoyance of the highest magnitude! 

Have You Died? No Such Luck

The Maven's last blog post was back in January, complementing local TV meteorologists for their calm and informative reports during a prolonged snow event. Other than that, there's been silence. Oh, there have been frequent typos, poor grammar, abuse of the AP Style Book, and the ever-popular geographic fubars we all know and love. Most of those have been addressed on Facebook and X. Overall, local media seems to be moving along without any major blunders or self-inflicted injuries. 

Have the Fort Wayne media participants' performances improved significantly, or has the audience grown to accept what is placed on the media dining table every night? In truth, it's probably a little bit of both. 

The local media landscape has also changed. We have become a one-newspaper town. The last News Sentinel afternoon paper flopped off the press less than a decade ago. Fort Wayne once had 4 TV news outlets, but now we have 2. OK, 2 and a half, if one counts WFFT Fox 55 reports from Lafayette. Radio news, real radio news only has one outlet, WOWO 1190 and 92.3. Yes, the local public broadcaster does "news", but similar to most local radio news, it's a capsulization of stories the Journal Gazette offers online. This is what has become the new normal, and the audiences seem to be fine with that. The Maven should also note that a few free/subscription-based news products have come online and are gaining audience and revenue. 

The Maven would be foolish to claim any credit for the improvement of media performance. Still, considering the items sent to the Maven, over the past years by readers, viewers, and blog readers, one could argue that bringing media's shortcomings to light has helped others understand the importance of watching the media and calling out real or perceived crimes against that audience.  

Just for giggles and grins, let's review a handful of what the media foisted on their audience from more than a decade ago. The Maven thinks you'll agree media is doing better, measurably better. 

Here we go:

At Least The Print Journalist Got It Right. TV? Not So Much: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2022/10/did-we-view-same-meeting.html

Police Cars Wearing Handcuffs: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2017/07/police-cars-wearing-handcuffs.html

Two Friday Night Favorites: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2013/05/obligatory-wane-tv-typo-56.html

Those Rand McNally Moments: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2024/01/those-rand-mcnally-moments-make-you.html

WOWO Convicts Man of Murder (no trial, no jury) https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2012/08/wowo-news-convicts-another-person-of.html

WOWO Icon's Name Butchered by his Own Station: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2022/05/some-old-guy-that-used-to-work-here-or.html

All City Council Members Look Alike (AKA stale file photo): https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2024/04/not-current-photo.html

Under Investigation? Depends On What Paragraph You Read: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2012/07/confused-yes-i-am.html

The Case of the Illegible Player: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-case-of-illegible-ineligible-player.html

JG Loses Sight of Site: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2012/11/news-sentinel-loses-sight-of-site.html

WOWO Revolving Newsroom Door: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2012/11/another-one-bites-dust.html

WOWO Says They Are Shuddering: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2013/06/if-mavens-workplace-were-to-be.html

Why WFFT News Fizzled: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2013/07/wfft-diseased-at-scene.html

Twofer Tuesday: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2013/08/twofer-tuesday.html

Change of Positions: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2013/08/hows-it-feel-tracy.html

Maven Answers Your Questions: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2013/09/mavens-mailbox.html

A Classic: OUR NEWSCASTS SAVE LIVES: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2021/07/golden-oldie-wpta-abc21-july-7-2017.html

JG Staff Cuts Affect the Product: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2022/02/check-your-date-j-g.html

This Skin at WPTAABC21Alive: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2023/02/one-more-example-why-local-tv-news.html

CheezWhiz and the News: https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2023/05/local-newscasts-vs-cheez-whiz.html

Have You Seen Her? (hint, it's a 'he'): https://fwmediamaven.blogspot.com/2024/08/it-helps-if-you-read-fine-print-kids.html

Mostly Good Reviews on Local Weather Forecasters

Kudos to local TV weather teams for providing cautious, yet straight forward coverage of this weekend's storm. There was no hype, no panic alarms...thank you.

The Maven wants to be clear that local TV stations have invested in people and technology to build credibility and deserve praise for their efforts. 

The Maven is not talking about those "internet" or "Facebook" weather charlatans that pop up in our social media feeds, with official sounding names and wild, mostly bogus predictions of exaggerated snowfall totals. These un-trained "meteorologists", sitting in their pajamas in their mother's basements and eating re-heated Hot Pockets, possess no more forecasting skills than the average doorknob. 

All that aside, the Maven is confused on exactly how many inches of snow we're shoveling off our sidewalks and driveways today. 

Our friends at WANE-15, according to their web presence, says we received "almost" 10 inches and a clean and bright graphic indicating 9.4 inches are covering our lawns.

 

Yet, our local, and still operating newspaper quotes the National Weather Service reporting 8.7 inches of the white stuff. 

Why the confusion? Why not the same number?

Here are some possible explanations:

The totals were "read" at different times.

The totals were "read" at different locations. 

The J-G indicates the NWS total is from Fort Wayne International Airport, while the WANE-15 story does not indicate where or when the "record" was measured, nor the source/location of other snow totals in their graphic. A little clarification might help, here. 

While we can argue about the exact number, the Maven commends the local TV media for providing good coverage of this latest storm. 

Everyone Knows Where 2600 Painted Desert Run Is, Right? UH, No.

Fort Wayne Media has demonstrated time and time again a collective lack intelligence when it comes to local geography. 

Time nor space allows the Maven to list examples here, but from the examples below, local journalists have committed not one, but two, violations of storytelling and common sense.

First, by reading the stories from 3 different media sources, it would appear that those stories are simply a regurgitation of media press releases from law enforcement.

Second, in offering the law enforcement press releases as their own reporting and journalistic work, they neglect to answer a question any living-breathing listener/viewer/reader might ask....

JUST WHERE IN THE HELL IS 2600 PAINTED DESERT RUN?

Usually local media does a good job identifying where incidents take place in relationship to the city proper. The Maven always appreciates the inclusion of a Google map, or a description including main cross streets. Why? Remember Who What WHERE Why and How from high school journalism? Your listeners want to know "is that near me", "is that in my neighborhood".  Perhaps that's no longer taught at Ball State?

From WANE-15:

 From WPTAABC21Alive:

And from Fort Wayne's Journal Gazette:

So, to answer the question, 2600 Painted Desert Run is near I-69 and Leesburg Road, northwest of downtown. 

Here's the map viewers/readers should have seen. 

Michelle Chambers Said What?

City Council member Michelle Chambers is always good for a "quote", and Tuesday night's contentious City Council Budget debate was no exception.

The often out-spoken Council member also has had some challenges with the King's English and Roberts Rules of Order. 

However, the Maven makes no judgement on her oratorical prowess, instead, the Maven questions which TV station correctly quoted Ms Chambers.

Here's what WANE-15 reported:

WANE-15's complete story is here: 

https://www.wane.com/top-stories/fort-wayne-city-council-budget-cuts-story/

Here's what WPTA ABC21Alive reported:

WPTA ABC21Alive's complete story is here: https://www.21alivenews.com/2025/10/29/city-leaders-react-cuts-after-contentious-city-council-budget-meeting/

So, who got it right?

 

Source, please?

Saturday's No Kings rally/demonstration in Fort Wayne was big news. As it should be. 

Kudos to those who attended, spoke out, and peacefully made their point(s).

So, just how many people actually turned out?

Media has reported that "7,500 to 8,000" were in attendance. But where did that number come from?

Reporters and news writers are obliged, by basic journalistic rules/best practices to offer a "source" for material information they include in their news stories. 

How did local FW media handle the issue?

WANE-15 quoted an 8,000 number, but did not offer a quotable source for that information.

https://www.wane.com/top-stories/thousands-gather-at-fort-waynes-citizens-square-for-no-kings-protest/

WPTAABC21Alive played it safe and did not report any attendance numbers.

https://www.21alivenews.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protest-held-fort-wayne-saturday-part-nationwide-day-action/

After much searching of the WOWO radio webpage, the Maven found no news story about the rally/demonstration. 

But, the Journal Gazette got it right, by stating: 

"Indivisible Northeast Indiana estimated 7,500 to 8,000 people turned out today for the "No Kings" protest outside the Allen County Courthouse this afternoon."

By telling their audience the source of the information, readers have the context they need to put the 7,500-8,000 number into proper perspective. 

https://www.journalgazette.net/local/local-government/thousands-attend-no-kings-rally-outside-allen-county-courthouse/article_d76dee77-0aa5-4177-ae7d-0df2a253e099.html?sp-tk=1F3506107CD8CC5067590366B276C3B60B76F175E6FE8F11B1A8138F82E7CD95C13E6CC151184E24329D4502F67A8C566C641C5F85375909BF956B9DE48B9FD91F2A5EB2E1B79F6F629A049E38930D3E9724B5B084B22056F3AD090B2A7EB7EB8B113C9AE8BB9325F43F322D8DF9DFE8F0C3FF5985131A5242ACE22B16F1FA84CB34504FB9F36E4BCEB1AFFF5EA4E5D2EB349E28

WBOI Public Radio reported the 7,500-8,000 number, and like the Journal Gazette (above) offered the same corroborating source. 

https://www.wboi.org/government/2025-10-18/thousands-turn-out-in-northeast-indiana-for-no-kings-protests

Nitpicker's Delight

The Maven has often been ridiculed for being not just a nitpicker, but a world-class nitpicker. 

Guilty as charged!

It's an easy job when local media often puts so little focus on accuracy in order to be the first, fastest, or best-looking news source. 

For example: 

Here are the nits, by the numbers:

1: "stabbed in Fort Wayne's southeast side". First this conflicts with the body copy that states "near the southeast side of Fort Wayne". So, did the stabbing happen within the confines of the southeast side of town or NEAR the confines of the southeast side of town? Further, the Maven could be a real ass and ask: "southeast side? Is that near the spleen or stomach where the stabbing occurred". However, the Maven won't do that. Bad taste.

2: 4:45pm is not "Sunday evening". Uh, the generally accepted definitions of afternoon and evening indicate that evening begins at 5:00 pm. 4:45 pm is almost "evening"...but it's still inaccurate.

Here's a chart that might help in the future:

3: This ties into number 1, above. If you check your Rand McNally, the 3900 block of Congress is CLEARLY withing the generally-accepted area known as Southeast Fort Wayne. Saying it's NEAR southeast Fort Wayne is confusing, and causes concerns that local media might be trying to downplay the reports of violent crime in that area by misstating the local of the crime. 

4: This is a pet peeve. "DISPATCH confirmed..." Which DISPATCH? The Fort Wayne Police dispatch. Fort Wayne Fire dispatch? Three Rivers Ambulance dispatch? DoorDash dispatch? Please be specific. Using the general term of DISPATCH is lazy and does not completely name the official source of the information.  

For contrast here's how the other local TV news operation in town alerted us to the story:

Is WOWO promoting an FCC-Prohibited Lottery ?

Thanks to a couple of Media Maven followers asking if this "promotion" by a local radio station and their client constitutes an FCC-prohibited "lottery" in the form of a contest offering tickets to the Fort Wayne Zoo, formerly the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. 
In a nutshell, the FCC says a lottery is comprised of a prize (something of value), consideration (money or something of value) and chance (a drawing or other random selection of outcome). 
Here are screen-shots submitted to the Maven. They circled portions of the messages that caused them concern.

What's the big deal? 

Well, the two postings above are ambiguous as to the "consideration" part of a lottery. They mention "trying" the drink, but neither post explains if "trying" the drink requires a purchase. 

Usually promotions like this are required to say "no purchase necessary" (to enter the contest), but that phrase in not included in these posts, nor is an alternate message of "ask us for contest details". Those statements are required as an integral part of ads or postings about a contest. 

Here's a fact sheet from a law firm practicing before the FCC that highlights the three things that the FCC says comprises a "lottery".

Opportunity

Here's an opportunity for our local media to do their jobs.

A study was commissioned to determine if a 60 million dollar "Field House" should be built on the old OmniSource property north of downtown. 

Here's how WANE-15 portrays the funding of the "study":

And here's how the Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne's last remaining daily print journalists, reported on who paid for the "study":

It would be nice if our local journalists could get clarification on who exactly paid for the research and whether taxpayer money was involved.

Why is this important? 

If the City paid for the study, the credibility of the findings of the study/report could be suspect and seen as a justification for moving the project forward.  

On the other hand, if the study/report were paid for by an independent group or organization, those results might be viewed as more "objective".

So, the Maven will wait for the clarification. 

 

Political Activism or Just Plain Whining

WPTA ABC21Alive weather people appear concerned that people's lives will be in danger if the search for government waste and fraud examines/adjusts the National Weather Service budget. 

The story in question can be found here: https://www.21alivenews.com/2025/02/20/concerns-federal-agency-american-public-depends-daily-could-face-doge-cuts/

A local political leader, who brought this story to the Maven's attention, points out that, in their opinion, this story borders on political activism, in that the final paragraph contains a plea from the story's primary source to "to contact your elected officials and make your opinion heard". 

Orignal Thoughts or Astroturf?

Have you ever read the Letters to the Editor in the Journal Gazette, and wondered: "Where do these letters come from"? 

While most of us envision someone sitting at a keyboard, wracking their brain to condense their heartfelt thoughts into a well-written letter full of their own opinions backed up by factual information, it's not. In reality, it's what politicians and media call "astroturfing", manufactured, mass-produced "public opinion" designed to sway the media and their audiences.  

This morning a letter critical of Robert F. Kennedy Jr's nomination as Health and Human Services secretary appeared in print. After reading the letter a few times, the Maven "Googled" a few of the sentences and found something strange. Those words and phrases in the JG letter matched a "write-your-own-letter" template on the MomsRising.org website. Kind of a "cut and paste" way of flooding one's local newspaper with opposition to Kennedy's nomination. 

Here's the letter in the 2/11 JG, the writer's name has been blurred to protect their privacy.

The Maven added the red numbers to correlate with the MomsRising Talking Points below.

Well, here's where it came from:

The Maven is fairly certain this letter will not qualify for the Journal Gazette Gold Pen award for the best Letter to the Editor of the month. 

Political Yard Sign Violence/Vandalism

If you watch the local TV news, one would think that political yard sign vandalism only happens to Democrats and only happens in communities outside the city of Fort Wayne. 

The Maven does not doubt that these incidents happen. But the Maven wonders why it's only the supporters of one political party that seem to get the coverage.

Are these people better at involving the media? 

Do the supporters of the other political party not experience this vandalism?

Do incidents of political sign vandalism/violence only happen in areas away from the Fort Wayne city center?

Just seems odd.  

Click-Bait Frustrations

Click-bait is annoying as hell. Click-bait also means revenue. 

Local TV news social media is no stranger to click-bait news stories. Usually, these stories are gut-wrenching tales of death and despair that tug on the heartstrings of even the most hardened viewers/readers. Every time you click on one of them it means more revenue and profits for the out-of-town corporations that own our local TV stations.

WPTA ABC 21Alive seems to be the worst offender, but WANE-15 also runs these stories on their social media platforms. But, WANE-15 deserves credit for offering the reader/viewer a bit more information.

Below, note, that the WPTA ABC 21Alive story, by lack of identification, implies that it occurred here, in Fort Wayne. But that's not true. The story that WPTA ABC 21Alive features didn't even happen in the US. It's from Nova Scotia, in Canada. 

WANE-15 wisely drops a hint to readers/viewers that the story they feature occurred in Kansas. 

Kudos to WANE-15 for helping readers/viewers make wise decisions on what they choose to click on, and what to scroll by. 

Balanced? Maybe, Maybe Not

WANE-15 aired a story a few days ago (October 15) alleging political yard sign vandalism in Van Wert, Ohio.

Here's a link to the story: https://www.wane.com/top-stories/van-wert-residents-targeted-for-having-harris-yard-signs/

It's a standard story during election time. Vandalism to political yard signs has been with us since, well, the first political yard sign appeared back in the 19th century. What made the WANE-15 report curious was that it implied that only signs supporting the Democratic Party presidential candidates were stolen/trashed. The local chairman of the Democrats was featured making comments about the vandalism, including concerns that residents were living in a fearful environment. 

The Maven wonders why no one contacted local Republican party officials to ask if their supporters' signs were damaged or stolen. Does the Republican chairman in Van Wert believe his supporters live in a fearful environment?

The Maven has no issue with the accuracy of the story, but does have concerns about "balance". 

Only interviewing the Democrat Party chairperson, and promoting a local Democratic Party event including time, location and ticket price information seems, in the Maven's opinion, to unbalance the story.

Please note: the ticket price information for the Van Wert Democratic Party event is only mentioned in the "live" report (imbedded in the story) and does not appear in the text of the story as published on WANE.COM. 

Leaving CBS News Behind...

The Maven has struggled with watching CBS News for quite a while.

Something is wrong with the operation. There has been a less-than-subtle shift from doing journalism to advancing an agenda. Reading the article linked below was the final straw. 

CBS News is broken and the Maven is abandoning them. 

Here's the link to The Free Press story:

https://www.thefp.com/p/does-cbs-news-know-where-jerusalem

Being First vs Being Accurate

In the race to be "the first to report..." WPTA ABC21Alive has found a new dodge to insulate themselves from being wrong during "breaking news" situations. 

Just as many local newsrooms abused the word "alleged" or "allegedly", a few years ago, thinking that would provide them legal cover, now the word "apparent" or "apparently" is suffering the same fate.

The most recent "officer-involved" shooting, is a perfect example. A frequent blog reader passed this social media post (seen above) from WPTA ABC21Alive. He wondered if using "apparent" meant they were too lazy to call and get verification. The Maven speculated that it was more like getting it published "first", and getting verification later.

An interesting point to ponder is that most journalists say that being accurate is more important than being first. Here's a link to a Forbes article that seems to bear that out: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonysilber/2018/04/24/survey-of-journalists-suggests-accuracy-is-more-important-than-being-first/#:~:text=Being%20100%25%20accurate%20is%20more,to%20change%20how%20journalists%20work. 

If the Forbes survey is to be believed, then why do TV stations incorrectly fall all over themselves to be the "first" on every breaking story? Is this driven by competition with rival newsrooms (read: pissing contest), or, heaven forbid, are the marketing and advertising divisions behind this abomination to drive sales, non-traditional revenue, and corporate profits? If that's the case, all those regional Emmys that local stations like to brag about, are merely participation trophies (randomly handed out with the purchase of a new Broyhill bedroom suite)? 

Remember, it was WPTA ABC21Alive who, a few years ago, notoriously embarrassed themselves with a breaking news report of an active shooter atop the East Central Towers with an assault rifle, firing on Three Rivers Festival crowds. The News Sentinel finally set the record straight with a Tweet quoting FWPD's Mike Joiner that there was not, and never was an active shooter downtown. 

When the dust settled, WPTA's, then nightly anchor, Alexis Gray, was quoted as saying that "facts don't matter during breaking news...and that their newscasts saved lives. 

As for Alexis Gray, whoever said that fiction won't win you an Emmy?

 

It Helps If You Read The Fine Print, kids...

The Silver Alert system and those similar to it are proven and effective tools for finding missing kids and others. 

But, they only work if our media gets the information correct from the source/originator. 

Here's a tip: "MW" means white MALE, if that's any help...

WPTA ABC21Alive's confusion aside, the system worked and the missing juvenile has been located, according to the authorities.

Two Good Ones Get Away...

Two outstanding individuals who added a good dose of professionalism to an otherwise desert of media mediocrity are leaving town for a larger market. 

The Maven bids a sincere farewell to WANE-15's Emily Dwire and Rex Smith.

 

The Maven has never had the pleasure of meeting Rex, but has talked with Emily on the phone a few times. She was always bright and helpful. Rex's work on air and in the anchor chair was always top-notch.

The Maven wishes Emily and Rex much success in the next chapter of their lives and careers. 

Another Writing Crutch from the kids at WPTAABC21Alive

For reasons unknown, the crew at WPTAABC21Alive has stumbled upon another annoying writing crutch. 

SHARE has now become the word-du-jour in many of their news stories. The Maven is unsure why this has happened...perhaps one or all of those who write the news have been attending self-help or 12-step programs and the desire to SHARE has just filtered over to their news copy. 

Prior to SHARE, the word LEADERS held down in the number one spot:

Not A Current Photo

The kids at WPTAABC21Alive have done it again. 

Either a lazy or ignorant staffer was told to pull up a photo of Fort Wayne City Council to accompany a story about Sharon Tucker's ascension from Council to the Mayor's chair.  

Well, they found a photo...except it was NOT a current photo. 

Please note, that Mr. Didier and Mr. Hines both left office on January 1, 2024. 

Apparently, the kids in the WPTAABC21Alive newsroom have not caught on.