Stay On Top Of
Security Risks
 Chemical
plants: Easy targets, poorly guarded
Chemical plants could become weapons of mass destruction. Major weaknesses in the security
were exposed by WLS-TV, Chicago.
Investigative reporter Chuck Goudie made an analogy everyone could grasp: "Just as al
Qaeda hijackers transformed jetliners into flying bombs on 9-11, federal authorities are
alarmed at how easily a terrorist could transform your neighborhood chemical plant into a
weapon of mass destruction." archives/0249.htm
Security
hazard: Unguarded small airports
Small airfields have a lack of safeguards. Open gates. No guards. No fences. Airplanes ---
including substantial charter craft --- within easy reach. It could be an opportunity for
a terrorist disaster. This was investigated by WABC-TV, New York.
archives/0408.htm
Stolen
from the military: bomb ingredients, weapons
The American military is unable to stop the continuing theft of its C-4 explosives,
weapons and more. This was explained by WRAL-TV, Raleigh. archives/9637.htm
Potential
terrorists are crossing the border with Mexico
People from countries on the Terror Watch List are entering the U.S. illegally from
Mexico, and the government appears to be doing little about it. Waves of people were shown
by KVOA-TV, Tucson. archives/0436.htm
Protect
Our Children
At School
Weapons
Of Worry: Missed By Security
Despite the ongoing effort to improve security in the schools and to prevent terrorist
attacks in the public arena, there are weapons that seem to be beyond the current
controls. In Miami, WFOR-TV revealed there are many weapons that can be slipped past
security. archives/0427.htm
TV News Investigations:
School Systems Failing and Fraudulent
Help your viewers' children get a better education.
The parents and the taxpayers are paying the bills. Some schools are cheating their
students. Education stalls when administrators conceal a dropout problem or take home
computers provided for the classrooms. Safety issues range from unqualified, crazed bus
drivers to in-school violence.
School security: Gaps are common
Children and their classrooms can be targets for anyone from an estranged parent to a
sexual predator to even a person with some sort of terrorist agenda. A document
purportedly written by Osama bin Laden encouraged his supporters to go after all
Americans, especially women and children. In Detroit, WDIV-TV indicated areas for
improvements. archives/0309.htm
Emergency Preparedness: Make Sure Systems Don't Fail
Here is how broadcasters prepared for the big earthquake in San Francisco, and what
they learned when the building shook and the power went off. archives/9844.htm
Seattle Earthquake:
TV Newsrooms Were Ready
A mid-morning earthquake surprised the Seattle area. The shaking was captured on
videotape several places as photographers or fixed cameras were rolling when it began.
Station executives had planned for such an emergency, and the planning worked well.
archives/0110.htm
Room 104:
The Overcrowding Crisis
By focusing on students and teachers, an initially boring subject was brought to life.
Viewers could see how children are shortchanged when the instructor is simply lucky to
keep control, never mind teaching and helping individuals having problems. This was a
duPont winner for WABC-TV, New York.
Teacher Poll Reveals An Inside View of
Classrooms
A survey allowed teachers to talk anonymously about how they really felt about what was
going on in their schools. Response was excellent from both the teachers and the viewers
when this project was executed by WESH-TV, Orlando.
Students Cheated By School Officials
Schools in Detroit were funded, but failing. WXYZ-TV's investigative reporter
exposed an enormous waste of taxpayers' money and "loss" of equipment. The
youngsters were being shortchanged by some of the people hired to help them.
Officials concealed the dropout rate
In Houston, KHOU-TV staffers found a troubled high school with "no"
dropouts. It was a fraud, and concealed the failures of the officials.
Juvenile
sexual offenders attending schools
Not only are juvenile sexual offenders attending schools, often the school officials don't
know it. The offender changes schools, but his record may not follow him. In St.
Louis, KSDK-TV investigated.
Schoolhouse Outrage: Filthy Bathrooms
Schools in Southern California were checked to see how sanitary --- or unsanitary --- the
bathrooms were. KCBS-TV investigators spent three months and visited
more than 50 buildings, some of them more than once. Many bathrooms were locked or
unavailable to students. Many were missing essential supplies.
Roughed Up At Recess: Violence On The
Playground
Teachers stood by doing nothing while bullies beat up other children on the school
playgrounds. News team members at WITI-TV, Milwaukee were surprised that it was so
blatant and out of control. They
followed up with a project that offered solutions for parents and educators. |
|
Online talent service
opens
to non-represented talent Collective Talent, the online talent resource
by Michaels Media, has opened its service to non-represented talent.
When the service was first unveiled, it was designed to be supported
primarily by talent agents.
That approach made sense because the majority of talent in larger markets are represented
by agents. The biggest agencies can represent several hundred people.
Here are links to resources useful for planning potential career moves.
Find the job you're looking for
Here are current job opportunities for television professionals --- executives, on-air
talent, photographers, producers, promotion writers and more.
Book is a valuable tool for staff development
Don't get distracted:
Stay focused on your core product
 An
updated edition of a valuable newsroom resource has just been published.
Delivering viewer- centered information is the focus of The Producing Strategy, Version
2.0, by veteran consultant Larry Rickel and longtime successful anchor Ed Sardella.
Their premise: everyone in the newsroom is a producer. We must all be involved
in strong storytelling and making the newscast a special experience for the viewer.
Don't abandon your power base while upgrading your new media, says Rickel.
As broadcasters move onto new platforms, it is more important than ever to stay
focused on the role the TV newscast plays in your four-screen strategy.
Please continue here, Rickel and Sardella
explain their theories, and the value of their book.
 Learn successful television
reporting
A top reporter explains how to produce memorable stories.
KGO-TV's Wayne Freedman has won 44 Emmys.
We feel that this
book is a must buy for reporters or students who are serious about their careers.
 Latest edition
of Investigative Reporters Handbook is available
The newest version of this indispensable reference includes
examples investigative reporting and easy to find Internet address lists to help in
computer-assisted investigations.
 Producer
handbook provides
guide to success
Chapters cover ratings and research, ethics and decision-making, and more. The appendix
has information about helpful web sites, publications, training opportunities and career
advice.
Veteran broadcaster and professor Dow Smith gives producers and aspiring
producers practical information they can use at once to further a career.
 Aim For The
Heart
This is a guide for TV reporters, producers and photojournalists who want to
learn how to tell clearer and stronger stories.
This is practical material, real world techniques.
Al Tompkins is currently at the Poynter Institute. He spent 25 years as a reporter,
producer, photojournalist and news director.
Copyright 2007, Standish Publishing Company. This material is for
your personal use as a subscriber, and may not be reproduced or transmitted to other
parties of any kind.
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The Rundown has reported weekly on local
television news, programming, and community service projects since 1981. This material now
fills a massive hard copy archive of 7,000 pages --- easily the largest record of hometown
television's activities. Key articles are available in our online archives.
Free 45-page Report
Hostage
Crises:
Do You Let Gunmen Control Your Air?
When an upset, armed individual is threatening to kill
someone, the police commanders supervising the emergency response and the news executives
in charge of covering the confrontation have many sensitive decisions.
Here's how broadcast executives have dealt with these dangerous emergencies.
TV News Case History
When A
Flooding Disaster Strikes: Who's in Charge?
In Sacramento, KCRA-TV news documented serious weaknesses in the emergency response
system in the state. Here's how they executed this major project.
Public Safety
Workers Face On The Job Hazards
Many people who keep the public safe have been injured or sickened because of workplace
accidents or exposure to harmful substances.
Prisoners:
Escaping and Not Pursued, Inmates Housed at Secret Locations
Two investigations showed how important it is keep track of how corrections officials are
--- or are not --- doing their jobs.
Intelligence
Report Breaks News Every Day
WLS-TV, Chicago showcases investigative stories on a daily basis. Many news executives
have been working to get their investigative units on air more frequently.
Into Child Porn?
No Problem, Have A Nice Day
Most men who are arrested in Wisconsin for Internet sex crimes do not go to prison. Three
years of cases were analyzed by WITI-TV, Milwaukee.
Airport
Restaurants: What's on the Plate?
For your airport meal: Spoiled food and big rats. There was a lot to reveal when
restaurants were visited by investigators from WAGA-TV, Atlanta.
Duke Rape
Scandal: Aggressive, Yet Measured Reporting
Allegations of rape and the subsequent stories led to days of protest, tensions and
lawyers maneuvering for any possible advantage.
It's Hard To
File A Complaint Against Police In South Florida
Only 3 of 38 departments had complaint forms available when undercover checks were run by
investigators at WFOR-TV, Miami.
Don't Count On A
Siren To Warn You Of A Tornado
Serious problems with tornado warning sirens were revealed by investigators at WTHR-TV,
Indianapolis.
Teachers With
Records Are In The Classroom
The backgrounds of more than 50,000 school employees were checked by news investigators at
WOAI-TV, San Antonio.
Help May Not
Arrive In Time: Enhanced 911 and Fire Response Lapses
Investigators at two Ohio stations looked at problems in the emergency response systems
that could delay first responders from reaching the scene quickly.
Airport Security
Breaches: Stolen Credentials, Marshals At Risk
ID badges and uniform items belonging to Transportation Security Administration employees
have vanished. The No Fly list is flawed. Air marshals say they are placed at risk by
official procedures.
DUI
Investigations Reveal A Stubborn, Dangerous Problem
Two major projects examined where the system is breaking down in Cleveland.
Investigations:
Gun Rights, FEMA Checks, Dirty Rags, Good Pictures
Several locally originated investigations connected with viewers.
Toxic Trains:
Dangerous Cargo Moves Everywhere
Hazardous materials are being shipped by railroad through cities. A terrorist attack on a
single car carrying chlorine could kill as many as 100,000 people.
Air Marshals Say
System Must Be Fixed
Policies and procedures put the marshals and the flying public at risk.
Safety Concern
For Travellers: Beware Of Airport Floors
There is potentially harmful bacteria on the floors where travellers remove their shoes as
they go through airport security. Investigators at KGTV-TV, San Diego, took samples, sent
them to a lab, and found an unhealthy situation.
Target Chicago:
How Drugs Drive Destruction
A major project at WMAQ-TV included a DEA partnership, young addicts on camera, and a
tie-in to a museum exhibit.
Interactive
Political Web Site Launched By ABC O&Os
KGO-TV created a site that included five-minute candidate video statements, campaign
finances, and answers to voter questions.
High School
Project Attracts Teens and Their Parents
Armed with video cameras and permission to tell it all, ten seniors explain what really
goes on in a yearlong project for WCAU-TV, Philadelphia.
Exposing
Outrageous Perks: Workers Take Cuts, Execs Fly High
Auto industry chiefs are travelling in company jets while jobs are slashed and pay and
benefits are reduced. WXYZ-TV, Detroit. |
