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Viewers Interact With
Reporter All Day Long

She takes ideas and responds at her desk, driving to the story and on her cellphone. This experiment is explained by Randy Dixon, News Director of KATV-TV, Little Rock.

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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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)Following the Lost Jobs: Maytag Moves to Mexico
An in-depth look at where the jobs went when a major employer closed a plant was produced by WQAD-TV, Moline. "We decided to go to Mexico and follow those jobs to see what happens to them --- why the company moved there and how much money they are saving," explained News Director C.J. Beutien
.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)Kmart Crashes, Executives Fly High
As hundreds of Kmart stores closed and thousands of workers lost their jobs, an investigation by WXYZ-TV, Detroit, raised serious questions about how the company's managers were spending its money in 2002.  While clerks earning $10.35 an hour were being asked to make sacrifices to save the company, executives were flying in a fleet of private jets, driving luxury cars and living in palatial homes.
The station's General Manager, Grace Gilchrist, told us, "These compensation packages seemed to be so out of tune with the ethics the company was built on that it struck a chord with us. This behavior was also very puzzling to the shareholders and to the employees."

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes) Exposing Outrageous Perks: Workers Take Cuts, Execs Fly High
Auto industry executives were flying high in company jets on personal business, while jobs were slashed and workers were being asked to take cuts in salary and benefits. It was examined in 2006 by WXYZ-TV, Investigative reporter Steve Wilson documented the use of corporate jets by executives --- and often their families ---for purely personal trips. Trip after trip after trip, the camera rolled as the executives climbed aboard to travel to their second homes or on vacations.



TV Reporting:
Covering Police and Crime

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)Tornadoes Drive Record Web Traffic For Live Blogging, Viewers' Photos
Live weather blogging proved so popular that response far surpassed the initial expectations.
Valuable local information flowed in from people as they simultaneously received the specific details of the storm and connected with an authoritative source. The general manager at WIBW-TV, Topeka, Jim Ogle, told us, "As they interacted with us as the storm approached their area, they would write things like, 'You don't know how much it means to me to be able to hear this from you first person."

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)Dog bite zones: Hot spots were identified
Anchor Artie Ojeda of KNSD-TV, San Diego, created a franchise of "zones" pieces, in which he built stories around public statistics, sorted the data and posted the numbers online by zip code or neighborhood.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)Official cars: Should the mayor be riding in a gas guzzler?
The cars the politicians were driving on the public's dollar were investigated by reporter Bill Sheil of WJW-TV, Cleveland.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)Dirty and dangerous swimming pools exposed
Half of the swimming pools county flunked their first inspection of the summer. In Charlotte, WCNC-TV reporter Stuart Watson revealed that problems ranged from medical issues to safety hazards.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)Officers raiding meth labs: Many are ill from exposure
Former Utah narcotics officers, who put their lives on the line when they raided illegal meth labs a decade or two earlier, have died or are battling unusual illnesses.
The chemicals used to make the meth are deadly.
The story was investigated by the team at KSL-TV, Salt Lake City. Reporter Debbie Dujanovic found 58 police officers who had investigated meth labs in the previous two decades.
News Director Con Psarras explained how they put the project together, and told us, "We only found a few officers who didn't have a serious health problem. When compared to the average rates of illness and cancer among that age group, the statistics were indicative of a pretty big problem."
Of the 58 officers, 40 were sick or dead.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)High on meth, speeding, killing --- and still driving
A log truck driver kept on rolling, in spite of overloading his truck and causing a fatal accident. The driver was off the road for only about one week after the accident. KING-TV's Chris Ingalls found there was no penalty, no suspension of his license, nothing ---he just went right back to driving. There should have been three strikes against him. He was speeding. His truck was overloaded. He tested positive for meth.

 

 

TV Jobs
Links and Resources

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.

Shoptalk
Scroll through the news to job classifieds.

ire.org/jobs
Investigative reporters

Broadcast
Image Group

Management and talent jobs.

Dolan Media Management
Recruiting managers and producers.

b-roll.net
Check listings at B Roll Online

Rick Gevers
News Managers

Medialine.com
Openings and opportunities.

tvjobs.com

Editor and Publisher
Print opportunities

NAB
Career Center

Corporation For
Public Broadcasting

Search their jobs database

Broadcast Education Association
Academia


Inside TV News:
Long-form stories are an effective alternative

It is a topic of high interest. But is also a complicated topic. People may not fully understand something they hear. Fear or hope may impact what they "hear."
Give the story more time.
A New York News Director --- Paula Madison of WNBC-TV --- explained how and when to do it.
Learn Successful Television Reporting
zzittake.jpg (11694 bytes) It Takes More Than Good Looks To Succeed in TV Reporting

KGO-TV's Wayne Freedman has been reporting --- and teaching about reporting --- for a long time. He's received 44 Emmy awards. He's given speeches and conducted seminars.
People urged him to write a book.

We visited with the author for his insights on how to create compelling stories and how reporters can re-invent themselves in a business that is constantly changing.

It All Begins With The Writing
Zzkur125.jpg (12432 bytes) CBS newsman Charles Kuralt was a unique broadcast journalist who excelled in many areas. 
It all began when a piece he wrote in North Carolina won an award.  That brought a call from CBS News in New York. 

Reinventing Local Media:
Ideas For Thriving In A Postmodern World
zzheaton.gif (14213 bytes) Here are real solutions to the real problems facing contemporary media companies, many lie outside the comfort zone of media boardrooms. 
This 500-page book brings together the writings and analysis of Terry Heaton.  He is currently a Senior Vice President of Audience Research and Development. After 28 years in local television news, Heaton has been reporting on new media and the impact on television news for several years.

The Place to Be:
Washington, CBS, and the Glory Days of Television

Roger Mudd
One of television's top political reporters --- perhaps the top political reporter --- shared the inside experiences of covering many major stories. Roger Mudd was a top correspondent on campaigns and Capitol Hill during the 60s and 70s. He was also the prime substitute anchor for the network.
His memoir, based on his own notes and extensive interviews, tells of his 20 years in the CBS News Washington bureau.
His story provides many, many important insights for anyone interested in a career in television news. There are the details of newsgathering and bringing stories to air. There are specifics about getting along with management and competing with rivals.

Reporting on President Kennedy's murder
Television news team members had to keep functioning despite their shock and grief, they had to find out what happened, confirm, and avoid rumors and making mistakes. Here are the recollections of three journalists who covered the tragedy.



Book is a valuable tool for staff development

Don't Get Distracted:
Stay Focused on Your Core Product

zzricke2.jpg (10911 bytes) 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.
Rickel and Sardella explain their theories, and the value of their book.


Aim For The Heart
zztomp.jpg (12196 bytes) 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.

Latest edition of Investigative Reporters Handbook is available
zzire.gif (8758 bytes) The newest version of  this indispensable reference includes examples investigative reporting and  easy to find Internet address lists to help in computer-assisted investigations.

Advancing The Story:
Broadcast Journalism In A Multimedia World
zzadvan.jpg (8807 bytes) Broadcast journalism is a good starting point for multimedia storytelling. Two broadcast veterans explain how a person with television skills can expand their abilities an excel in the new media. Debora Halpern Wenger and Deborah Potter offer specific techniques and strategies for maximizing the advantages of each platform.

Improve Your Broadcast Writing
Zzmerv04.jpg (12499 bytes) Veteran TV news writer and educator Merv Block has advice that is useful whether you are a student or a professional who's been in the business for 30 years.

Here are some tips excerpted from one of his books.

Copyright 2008, 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.


Resources

Newslab training workshops
NewsLab is an online resource center for television and radio newsrooms, focused on improving journalism. This organization offers workshops for newsrooms and journalism groups around the world.


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Museum Broadcast Communications
The MBC is a not-for-profit organization that has offered opportunities for public learning to a diverse population since 1987 in Chicago. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and present historic and contemporary radio and television content as well as educate, inform, and entertain through our archives, public programs, screenings, exhibits, publications and online access.


Al's Morning Meeting at Poynter Institute
Former News Director Al Tompkins updates current stories and coverage issues.

Advancing the Story:
Broadcast Journalism in a Multimedia World

Information and advice about excelling in a rapidly changing media world.

The Producer Book
Many producers have shared their opinions and ancedotes. This resource features practical techniques and dealing with the real world problems of getting along newsroom staffers and managers. All this has been compiled by the original author, former WLS-TV Executive Producer Alice Main, and Ohio University Journalism professor Robert Stewart. The site is maintained at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.


zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.

zzsquare.jpg (2860 bytes)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.


Free 45-page Report

Hostage Crises:
Do You Let Gunmen Control Your Air?

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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.