Knowing a good story when they read it
Nancy McLaughlin wrote today's story about a Quaker taken hostage in the Middle East. After a brief e-mail exchange this morning with someone she interviewed for the story, she got this message:
Gotta run now; you've unleashed the electronic news media on me. TV crews from Fox 8 and News 2 are coming to the vigil; can WXII be far behind? They do always seem to follow your lead.
Comments (8)
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Tangentially related - in latest AJR there's a piece on the pros and cons of email interviews
(which mentions their Oct 2000 The Question Man, on interviewing expert John Sawatsky, with recommended techniques)
Posted on December 7, 2005 4:00 PM
John--
This issue has been hashed out so much in your blog and others in recent weeks, I thought it was time to respond.
I congratulate you and Nancy McLaughlin on breaking a great story. Yes, we read about it, made a call, found out about the vigil this afternoon and covered it.
I also find it interesting that you put on the front page this morning the story of the flight cutbacks at PTI--- a story, by the way, we broke and aired two nights ago. I could also name countless others. But that's okay. Your staff obviously researched these stories and did some extra legwork after we aired them.
Copying something directly out of a newspaper or off a website is not right. I happen to think it's stealing. Taking ideas, confirming facts, doing a little extra legwork on your own, and then airing or publishing it is a different thing---as you pointed out so eloquently in one of your previous posts.
By the way, I've also noticed quite a few times in recent months (including yesterday morning) where we credited the News & Record for breaking particular stories. I see nothing wrong with that either.
If you'd like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact me.
Neill McNeill
News Anchor
WGHP
Posted on December 7, 2005 4:45 PM
Thanks, Neill. We're on the same page then. (Now about that News Leader business...:))
Posted on December 7, 2005 4:53 PM
Just a marketing line John designed to separate us from our broadcast competitors. While I respect you and your staff tremendously-- I don't necessarily consider you competition. (I respect the fact you and others may disagree.) But I don't think we necessarily take away readers from your newspaper. Nor do I think you take away viewers from our broadcasts.
Sorry... gotta get back to my job.
Posted on December 7, 2005 5:01 PM
Yeah, I know. I'm just ribbing you because I think it's a bit goofy. Thanks for explaining. And get the Lenslinger a raise! He deserves it.
Posted on December 7, 2005 6:08 PM
Yeah-- there are a lot of things "goofy" about tv. In fact, I think I look pretty "goofy" sometimes.
As for Lenslinger--- I'm afraid we're soon going to have to find him an agent!
I hope you and your family have a great Christmas.
NM
Posted on December 7, 2005 6:17 PM
Thanks, Neil. Meanwhile, the media dominoes continue to fall on that flight cutback story. Here's the link to the WXII story on its Web site today: http://www.wxii12.com/news/5491026/detail.html
Posted on December 8, 2005 1:27 PM
About that raise for the 'slinger: check the stats on his blog and see where the hits are coming from. Quite interesting reading. He's got high ranking in an important niche.
Posted on December 8, 2005 8:28 PM