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AUGUST 23, 2011 EARTHQUAKE COVERAGE

G

GeorgeKramer

Guest
Who is doing the best job handling the news, taking phone calls, posting information online, etc?

This includes FM stations as well as anyone who has satellite radio (I do not) along with the AM stations like WBEN, WNED, WBFO, etc.

Will 1230 AM or 1270 AM break away from music and air national newsbreaks at the top and bottom of every hour?
 
I heard that WBEN was taking calls, but, YAWN, what a non-event for this area. I can just imagine: "I felt it!", "I didn't feel it!". Social media probably handled it better than anyone. And it meant more because you may have had FB friends in the area of the epicenter who shared their thoughts. (As in my case.)
 
average_listener said:
I heard that WBEN was taking calls, but, YAWN, what a non-event for this area. I can just imagine: "I felt it!", "I didn't feel it!". Social media probably handled it better than anyone. And it meant more because you may have had FB friends in the area of the epicenter who shared their thoughts. (As in my case.)
Click to expand...

AL, earthquakes in Western New York are quite unusual. If this were California, it wouldn't be news or worthy of discussion. But when Buffalonians experience a quake, they want to talk about it. I don't see it as a yawn-inducing event. A good talk show host like Sandy Beach makes it interesting. The fact is this was the strongest earthquake to hit the eastern North American continent since 1988. So, it was not really a "non-event" for Western New York. Sure, there was no damage or injuries here. But again, a responsible talk show host is not going to ignore it when his switchboard is lighting up like a Christmas tree from listeners inquiring about whether there was an earthquake.

In a case like this, social media and talk radio are equally effective during a natural disaster. And I would point out it was the mainstream media, not social media, where I first learned about actual damage to two Washington landmarks -- the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral.
 
GeorgeKramer said:
Who is doing the best job handling the news, taking phone calls, posting information online, etc?

This includes FM stations as well as anyone who has satellite radio (I do not) along with the AM stations like WBEN, WNED, WBFO, etc.

Will 1230 AM or 1270 AM break away from music and air national newsbreaks at the top and bottom of every hour?
Click to expand...

Doesn't 1230 AM already have national news breaks at the top of each hour followed by local news and weather? At least that is what I am hearing when I listen on-line.
 
DavidZ said:
GeorgeKramer said:
Who is doing the best job handling the news, taking phone calls, posting information online, etc?

This includes FM stations as well as anyone who has satellite radio (I do not) along with the AM stations like WBEN, WNED, WBFO, etc.

Will 1230 AM or 1270 AM break away from music and air national newsbreaks at the top and bottom of every hour?
Click to expand...

Doesn't 1230 AM already have national news breaks at the top of each hour followed by local news and weather? At least that is what I am hearing when I listen on-line.
Click to expand...

Yes, FOX News has hourly updates on the Breeze, so news of the earthquake did air once each hour yesterday. The station also provides local updates from Channel 2. The problem with those updates is that Channel 2 morning anchor John Beard records them before he leaves, and they run all afternoon long. Since the quake occurred shortly before 2, there would have been no mention of that unless someone else at Channel 2 provided an update. I didn't get a chance to listen yesterday to find out if that happened.

FOX has breaking news. But if Channel 2 is unable to update important local news during the afternoon, running such casts sort of defeats the purpose. If you can't air breaking local news during the course of the afternoon, perhaps you shouldn't be providing such a service in the first place.

Of course, WHLD doesn't have access to a news department, so there's no way for Swing 1270 to update the news when a major news story likes the earthquake breaks. As we observe the 10th anniversary of 9/11, it shows how little things have changed. On 9/11, music stations were scrambling to sound relevant after the attacks. No one was interested in hearing music when all hell was breaking loose. And that's still the case today. Few music stations, especially those that are voice tracking, are equipped to provide any real news or important weather updates, such as a tornado warning. But I suppose this is a topic for another thread...
 
Wednesday was a good day for RADIO NEWS coverage of the quake. I have no idea what the breeze did because NPR, WBFO/WNED-AM and to a lesser extent, social media, were the "go to" providers of information. I found out about the 'quake by way of an incoming cell phone call and turned on the radio. Later I checked TV news, where some talking heads were in need of decaf. NPR and NBC get honors for being collected and having clarity of thought. I discovered firsthand that cell phones in DC were completely overwhelmed. Not surprisingly, some cell towers there were out of business or unable to handle the immense volume. This should serve as a "teachable moment" for the Department of Homeland Security and any number of radio stations that might be on autopilot.

A number of media publications today made note of WTOP radio in DC being the go-to station for information and the expected surge for WTOP in PPM Summer ratings. Here in Western New York, despite spending most of the day outside, the earthquake passed me without notice.
 
Well said Philip but I still contend that it was a non-event. Unlike the quake that happened in the early 90's with the epicenter somewhere near UB South there was absolutely nothing western NY specific about this. Where were you when the quake hit made for pretty lame radio. Anybody suffer any damage here? Then what's the point?
 
Paul.. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

We're some "doctored"? :D

Great post! Thanks!!

Move on people!!

That's all
HDBG
 
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