I'm not trying to blame the media, but obviously saying that those miners were alive and then stating that they were dead was heartbreaking to friends and family. What, if anything, could the media have done to prevent this sad distribution of misinformation?
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
A question for the broadcast pros
- Thread starter justateach
- Start date
> I'm not trying to blame the media, but obviously saying that
> those miners were alive and then stating that they were dead
> was heartbreaking to friends and family. What, if anything,
> could the media have done to prevent this sad distribution
> of misinformation?
Valid point and a frustrating dilemma for the media. When the governor and a dozen "officials" are saying 12 men survived, that's about as official (although in this case inaccurate) as it gets.
Fox tonight did a bit of a pre-emptive piece along those lines--no doubt anticipating there would be allegations of media inaccuracy coming down the line, so Fox phrased it it in the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" vein.
It's not as if the media jumped the gun and reported the then good news prematurely or based their reporting on speculation. After all, the people who supposedly knew the scoop put out the information. Some reporters indeed are skeptical about what they're told, but when the news supposedly as good as the survival aspect of the story was at the moment, few will sit around and say, "Well, fellas, think we better sit on this for a half day or so." Not with the competition factor what it is today.
The answer to your original question of what could have been done, one respobse is, "Not much except what WAS done. Report it."
>
> those miners were alive and then stating that they were dead
> was heartbreaking to friends and family. What, if anything,
> could the media have done to prevent this sad distribution
> of misinformation?
Valid point and a frustrating dilemma for the media. When the governor and a dozen "officials" are saying 12 men survived, that's about as official (although in this case inaccurate) as it gets.
Fox tonight did a bit of a pre-emptive piece along those lines--no doubt anticipating there would be allegations of media inaccuracy coming down the line, so Fox phrased it it in the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" vein.
It's not as if the media jumped the gun and reported the then good news prematurely or based their reporting on speculation. After all, the people who supposedly knew the scoop put out the information. Some reporters indeed are skeptical about what they're told, but when the news supposedly as good as the survival aspect of the story was at the moment, few will sit around and say, "Well, fellas, think we better sit on this for a half day or so." Not with the competition factor what it is today.
The answer to your original question of what could have been done, one respobse is, "Not much except what WAS done. Report it."
>
K
KPLEXCOMPLEX
Guest
> > I'm not trying to blame the media, but obviously saying
> that
> > those miners were alive and then stating that they were
> dead
> > was heartbreaking to friends and family. What, if
> anything,
> > could the media have done to prevent this sad distribution
>
> > of misinformation?
>
> Valid point and a frustrating dilemma for the media. When
> the governor and a dozen "officials" are saying 12 men
> survived, that's about as official (although in this case
> inaccurate) as it gets.
>
> Fox tonight did a bit of a pre-emptive piece along those
> lines--no doubt anticipating there would be allegations of
> media inaccuracy coming down the line, so Fox phrased it it
> in the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" vein.
>
> It's not as if the media jumped the gun and reported the
> then good news prematurely or based their reporting on
> speculation. After all, the people who supposedly knew the
> scoop put out the information. Some reporters indeed are
> skeptical about what they're told, but when the news
> supposedly as good as the survival aspect of the story was
> at the moment, few will sit around and say, "Well, fellas,
> think we better sit on this for a half day or so." Not with
> the competition factor what it is today.
>
> The answer to your original question of what could have been
> done, one respobse is, "Not much except what WAS done.
> Report it."
> >
>
I concur. Several reports stated that some "local" over heard a cell phone conversation with an official saying "they found them".The result was the local immediately interpreted that as the miners were alive ,and wanting to be first to spread the "joyful news" let others know. Soon Officials were caught up in it and the reporters did their job hearing it from the officials. What could you have done after hearing the "official " word? You report it. Media was blameless. BTW FOX was the first to report that the miners were alive BEFORE the official word was given.
> that
> > those miners were alive and then stating that they were
> dead
> > was heartbreaking to friends and family. What, if
> anything,
> > could the media have done to prevent this sad distribution
>
> > of misinformation?
>
> Valid point and a frustrating dilemma for the media. When
> the governor and a dozen "officials" are saying 12 men
> survived, that's about as official (although in this case
> inaccurate) as it gets.
>
> Fox tonight did a bit of a pre-emptive piece along those
> lines--no doubt anticipating there would be allegations of
> media inaccuracy coming down the line, so Fox phrased it it
> in the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" vein.
>
> It's not as if the media jumped the gun and reported the
> then good news prematurely or based their reporting on
> speculation. After all, the people who supposedly knew the
> scoop put out the information. Some reporters indeed are
> skeptical about what they're told, but when the news
> supposedly as good as the survival aspect of the story was
> at the moment, few will sit around and say, "Well, fellas,
> think we better sit on this for a half day or so." Not with
> the competition factor what it is today.
>
> The answer to your original question of what could have been
> done, one respobse is, "Not much except what WAS done.
> Report it."
> >
>
I concur. Several reports stated that some "local" over heard a cell phone conversation with an official saying "they found them".The result was the local immediately interpreted that as the miners were alive ,and wanting to be first to spread the "joyful news" let others know. Soon Officials were caught up in it and the reporters did their job hearing it from the officials. What could you have done after hearing the "official " word? You report it. Media was blameless. BTW FOX was the first to report that the miners were alive BEFORE the official word was given.
> > > I'm not trying to blame the media, but obviously saying
> > that
> > > those miners were alive and then stating that they were
> > dead
> > > was heartbreaking to friends and family. What, if
> > anything,
> > > could the media have done to prevent this sad
> distribution
> >
> > > of misinformation?
> >
> > Valid point and a frustrating dilemma for the media. When
>
> > the governor and a dozen "officials" are saying 12 men
> > survived, that's about as official (although in this case
> > inaccurate) as it gets.
> >
> > Fox tonight did a bit of a pre-emptive piece along those
> > lines--no doubt anticipating there would be allegations of
>
> > media inaccuracy coming down the line, so Fox phrased it
> it
> > in the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" vein.
> >
> > It's not as if the media jumped the gun and reported the
> > then good news prematurely or based their reporting on
> > speculation. After all, the people who supposedly knew the
>
> > scoop put out the information. Some reporters indeed are
> > skeptical about what they're told, but when the news
> > supposedly as good as the survival aspect of the story was
>
> > at the moment, few will sit around and say, "Well, fellas,
>
> > think we better sit on this for a half day or so." Not
> with
> > the competition factor what it is today.
> >
> > The answer to your original question of what could have
> been
> > done, one response is, "Not much except what WAS done.
> > Report it."
> > >
> >
> I concur. Several reports stated that some "local" over
> heard a cell phone conversation with an official saying
> "they found them".The result was the local immediately
> interpreted that as the miners were alive ,and wanting to be
> first to spread the "joyful news" let others know. Soon
> Officials were caught up in it and the reporters did their
> job hearing it from the officials. What could you have done
> after hearing the "official " word? You report it. Media was
> blameless. BTW FOX was the first to report that the miners
> were alive BEFORE the official word was given.
>
Interesting. Perhaps even more impetus for the Fox piece to perhaps sandbag criticism of what turned out to be an error in reporting. And you are correct--coming from the governor and his people it looked as if the media had it wired and nailed down. A tight moment for all reporters and a compounding of the tragedy that the miners' families are suffering through. Not a good moment for all involved. Wouldn't want to be in the governor's place right now.
> > that
> > > those miners were alive and then stating that they were
> > dead
> > > was heartbreaking to friends and family. What, if
> > anything,
> > > could the media have done to prevent this sad
> distribution
> >
> > > of misinformation?
> >
> > Valid point and a frustrating dilemma for the media. When
>
> > the governor and a dozen "officials" are saying 12 men
> > survived, that's about as official (although in this case
> > inaccurate) as it gets.
> >
> > Fox tonight did a bit of a pre-emptive piece along those
> > lines--no doubt anticipating there would be allegations of
>
> > media inaccuracy coming down the line, so Fox phrased it
> it
> > in the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" vein.
> >
> > It's not as if the media jumped the gun and reported the
> > then good news prematurely or based their reporting on
> > speculation. After all, the people who supposedly knew the
>
> > scoop put out the information. Some reporters indeed are
> > skeptical about what they're told, but when the news
> > supposedly as good as the survival aspect of the story was
>
> > at the moment, few will sit around and say, "Well, fellas,
>
> > think we better sit on this for a half day or so." Not
> with
> > the competition factor what it is today.
> >
> > The answer to your original question of what could have
> been
> > done, one response is, "Not much except what WAS done.
> > Report it."
> > >
> >
> I concur. Several reports stated that some "local" over
> heard a cell phone conversation with an official saying
> "they found them".The result was the local immediately
> interpreted that as the miners were alive ,and wanting to be
> first to spread the "joyful news" let others know. Soon
> Officials were caught up in it and the reporters did their
> job hearing it from the officials. What could you have done
> after hearing the "official " word? You report it. Media was
> blameless. BTW FOX was the first to report that the miners
> were alive BEFORE the official word was given.
>
Interesting. Perhaps even more impetus for the Fox piece to perhaps sandbag criticism of what turned out to be an error in reporting. And you are correct--coming from the governor and his people it looked as if the media had it wired and nailed down. A tight moment for all reporters and a compounding of the tragedy that the miners' families are suffering through. Not a good moment for all involved. Wouldn't want to be in the governor's place right now.
> Interesting. Perhaps even more impetus for the Fox piece to
> perhaps sandbag criticism of what turned out to be an error
> in reporting. And you are correct--coming from the governor
> and his people it looked as if the media had it wired and
> nailed down. A tight moment for all reporters and a
> compounding of the tragedy that the miners' families are
> suffering through. Not a good moment for all involved.
> Wouldn't want to be in the governor's place right now.
>
Actually, MSNBC had it before Fox. Fox was about 5 minutes behind everyone on all aspects of this story overnight.
I give HUGE props to the Governor. He didn't hide in his office and just issue a statement of regret to the media like other politicians might have done. He gave news conferences, answered every question, did numerous interviews on the morning shows all over the place today. Sounds like a stand-up guy in a tough tough situation.
> perhaps sandbag criticism of what turned out to be an error
> in reporting. And you are correct--coming from the governor
> and his people it looked as if the media had it wired and
> nailed down. A tight moment for all reporters and a
> compounding of the tragedy that the miners' families are
> suffering through. Not a good moment for all involved.
> Wouldn't want to be in the governor's place right now.
>
Actually, MSNBC had it before Fox. Fox was about 5 minutes behind everyone on all aspects of this story overnight.
I give HUGE props to the Governor. He didn't hide in his office and just issue a statement of regret to the media like other politicians might have done. He gave news conferences, answered every question, did numerous interviews on the morning shows all over the place today. Sounds like a stand-up guy in a tough tough situation.
> > Interesting. Perhaps even more impetus for the Fox piece
> to
> > perhaps sandbag criticism of what turned out to be an
> error
> > in reporting. And you are correct--coming from the
> governor
> > and his people it looked as if the media had it wired and
> > nailed down. A tight moment for all reporters and a
> > compounding of the tragedy that the miners' families are
> > suffering through. Not a good moment for all involved.
> > Wouldn't want to be in the governor's place right now.
> >
>
> Actually, MSNBC had it before Fox. Fox was about 5 minutes
> behind everyone on all aspects of this story overnight.
>
> I give HUGE props to the Governor. He didn't hide in his
> office and just issue a statement of regret to the media
> like other politicians might have done. He gave news
> conferences, answered every question, did numerous
> interviews on the morning shows all over the place today.
> Sounds like a stand-up guy in a tough tough situation.
>
It was a bad situation all around in this case, You had morning papers going to press with "All Survived" when the actual truth was that the miners were gone from the get-go. In this age of 24/7 media on TV/Radio/Internet, news changes at the drop of a hat. Also, this is why you check your sources,which it appeared someone didnt because somebodys "brother-in-law" or "inside man" supplied false information.
> to
> > perhaps sandbag criticism of what turned out to be an
> error
> > in reporting. And you are correct--coming from the
> governor
> > and his people it looked as if the media had it wired and
> > nailed down. A tight moment for all reporters and a
> > compounding of the tragedy that the miners' families are
> > suffering through. Not a good moment for all involved.
> > Wouldn't want to be in the governor's place right now.
> >
>
> Actually, MSNBC had it before Fox. Fox was about 5 minutes
> behind everyone on all aspects of this story overnight.
>
> I give HUGE props to the Governor. He didn't hide in his
> office and just issue a statement of regret to the media
> like other politicians might have done. He gave news
> conferences, answered every question, did numerous
> interviews on the morning shows all over the place today.
> Sounds like a stand-up guy in a tough tough situation.
>
It was a bad situation all around in this case, You had morning papers going to press with "All Survived" when the actual truth was that the miners were gone from the get-go. In this age of 24/7 media on TV/Radio/Internet, news changes at the drop of a hat. Also, this is why you check your sources,which it appeared someone didnt because somebodys "brother-in-law" or "inside man" supplied false information.
K
KPLEXCOMPLEX
Guest
> > Interesting. Perhaps even more impetus for the Fox piece
> to
> > perhaps sandbag criticism of what turned out to be an
> error
> > in reporting. And you are correct--coming from the
> governor
> > and his people it looked as if the media had it wired and
> > nailed down. A tight moment for all reporters and a
> > compounding of the tragedy that the miners' families are
> > suffering through. Not a good moment for all involved.
> > Wouldn't want to be in the governor's place right now.
> >
>
> Actually, MSNBC had it before Fox. Fox was about 5 minutes
> behind everyone on all aspects of this story overnight.
>
> I give HUGE props to the Governor. He didn't hide in his
> office and just issue a statement of regret to the media
> like other politicians might have done. He gave news
> conferences, answered every question, did numerous
> interviews on the morning shows all over the place today.
> Sounds like a stand-up guy in a tough tough situation.
>
Tested,I am begining to think you work for a FOX Affiliate. In the studio where I work we have 4 tv monitors and all tuned in to the nets, FOX jumped in with the report first,followed by MSNBC,then CNN a minute later,rounded out BY CBS 8 min. later.
> to
> > perhaps sandbag criticism of what turned out to be an
> error
> > in reporting. And you are correct--coming from the
> governor
> > and his people it looked as if the media had it wired and
> > nailed down. A tight moment for all reporters and a
> > compounding of the tragedy that the miners' families are
> > suffering through. Not a good moment for all involved.
> > Wouldn't want to be in the governor's place right now.
> >
>
> Actually, MSNBC had it before Fox. Fox was about 5 minutes
> behind everyone on all aspects of this story overnight.
>
> I give HUGE props to the Governor. He didn't hide in his
> office and just issue a statement of regret to the media
> like other politicians might have done. He gave news
> conferences, answered every question, did numerous
> interviews on the morning shows all over the place today.
> Sounds like a stand-up guy in a tough tough situation.
>
Tested,I am begining to think you work for a FOX Affiliate. In the studio where I work we have 4 tv monitors and all tuned in to the nets, FOX jumped in with the report first,followed by MSNBC,then CNN a minute later,rounded out BY CBS 8 min. later.
R
Ranger
Guest
>this is why you check your
> sources,which it appeared someone didnt because somebodys
> "brother-in-law" or "inside man" supplied false information.
It seems all the would-be "sources" were telling the same story anyway. Only the mine company knew the truth, and dragged their heels getting it out.
> sources,which it appeared someone didnt because somebodys
> "brother-in-law" or "inside man" supplied false information.
It seems all the would-be "sources" were telling the same story anyway. Only the mine company knew the truth, and dragged their heels getting it out.
D
dean1
Guest
1. Never report something you can't independently confirm from several sources.
2. If you didn't see it yourself, maintain some healthy skepticism.
3. Pay attention to your little voice, not the big one shouting that first is best.
4. Just because it's on the wires or feeds, don't assume it's automatically accurate or true. Qualify and attribute, attribute and qualify.
5. Never go with a story just because in your heart of hearts you want it to be true. Shoot it down every way you can. If it survives that, you may have something.
6. Think. Does this make sense?
7. Do homework. Know the difference between impossible and improbable.
8. Never, ever speculate.
9. Resist hyperbole and adjectives.
10. Never be afraid to use the words "We don't know".
Eddie Barker used to say, "Get if first, get it fast...but get it RIGHT." I suspect we're going to find that there are some loose reporter lips involved in this before all is said and done. That said, there is presently an investigation into what happened in the mine itself, and how this horrific news entered the echo-chamber. But as anyone in the news business knows, it's a wonder things like this don't happen more often. The pressure to produce is so great, and human nature is too frail. Just the other day some of us heard in our ears that "Ariel Shron is dead". Of course, he wasn't.
The words that must instantly come to our minds in reply are "Who says???", not "Let's go with it!"
Jody
> >this is why you check your
> > sources,which it appeared someone didnt because somebodys
> > "brother-in-law" or "inside man" supplied false
> information.
>
> It seems all the would-be "sources" were telling the same
> story anyway. Only the mine company knew the truth, and
> dragged their heels getting it out.
>
2. If you didn't see it yourself, maintain some healthy skepticism.
3. Pay attention to your little voice, not the big one shouting that first is best.
4. Just because it's on the wires or feeds, don't assume it's automatically accurate or true. Qualify and attribute, attribute and qualify.
5. Never go with a story just because in your heart of hearts you want it to be true. Shoot it down every way you can. If it survives that, you may have something.
6. Think. Does this make sense?
7. Do homework. Know the difference between impossible and improbable.
8. Never, ever speculate.
9. Resist hyperbole and adjectives.
10. Never be afraid to use the words "We don't know".
Eddie Barker used to say, "Get if first, get it fast...but get it RIGHT." I suspect we're going to find that there are some loose reporter lips involved in this before all is said and done. That said, there is presently an investigation into what happened in the mine itself, and how this horrific news entered the echo-chamber. But as anyone in the news business knows, it's a wonder things like this don't happen more often. The pressure to produce is so great, and human nature is too frail. Just the other day some of us heard in our ears that "Ariel Shron is dead". Of course, he wasn't.
The words that must instantly come to our minds in reply are "Who says???", not "Let's go with it!"
Jody
> >this is why you check your
> > sources,which it appeared someone didnt because somebodys
> > "brother-in-law" or "inside man" supplied false
> information.
>
> It seems all the would-be "sources" were telling the same
> story anyway. Only the mine company knew the truth, and
> dragged their heels getting it out.
>
- Status
- This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.