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Radio Coverage of Helicopter Tragedy

brian4

brian4

A sad time in Phoenix when we lose four people in a horrific crash.

I first heard about the accident when I turned on KTAR a little after 2:00. I knew something was wrong when I heard Pat McMahon's voice instead of ABC News. I tried listening but didn't understand. I switched to KFYI and heard traffic/weather report. I switched to KKNT and got a commercial. I turned to KFNX and heard the beginning of Dr. Laura. Went back to KTAR. Switched to KFYI and heard David Leibowitz covering the story.

Any good/bad points on any station so far?
 
Well, on KTAR, McBland was crowing about how they were the only ones covering the story live on the radio.

And then he said they crashed over C. Steele park. (C. Steele's was the name of a popular Cafe several years ago in Scottsdale)
 
KFYI had a replacement jock do their reporting? That's embarrassing.

I listened to KTAR for hours on it and thought they did one of the best jobs I've ever heard on a major story.
 
Legend City said:
Well, on KTAR, McBland was crowing about how they were the only ones covering the story live on the radio.

And then he said they crashed over C. Steele park. (C. Steele's was the name of a popular Cafe several years ago in Scottsdale)
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Way to go.

Something like this happens and your still able to show you're hatred towards KTAR. I was impressed with their coverage.
 
KTAR had good coverage, I listened to them and KFYI.

My only real beef was them promoting themselves as being the only radio station with live coverage.
 
medina said:
KFYI had a replacementjock do their reporting? That's embarrassing.
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Normally Kim Shepard is doing the news around that time. Not sure why either she or J.D. Hayworth (or even Jim Sharpe) didn't anchor their coverage.
 
brian4 said:
medina said:
KFYI had a replacementjock do their reporting? That's embarrassing.
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Normally Kim Shepard is doing the news around that time. Not sure why either she or J.D. Hayworth (or even Jim Sharpe) didn't anchor their coverage.
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how about we get some good out of this, like change in policy? isn't having a pilot double as a repoter akin to talking on your cell phone while driving? i needn't say more.
 
Who is to say what the 'proper' way to cover these types of events may be. This is a scenario where TV wins out over radio in terms of coverage, as 1) the tragic event happened to two TV stations (and their pilots/photographers), 2) there are pictures of the event and more people are inclined to say, "turn on channel x" than to say "turn on KFYI (KTAR)". So, it's hard to really critique the coverage itself.

That being said, a few stations dropped the ball entirely. KFNX was busy airing real estate shows rather than serving the community, KPHX felt the need to do more polarizing political talk with Randi Rhodes and the kook Jeff Nefarious who was interviewing senators and throwing barbs at conservatives. KKNT and Preston Westmoreland actually did a half-way decent job themselves... Preston actually brought a fair amount of insight and reason into the discussion--which considering how he was at KTAR was exceptionally refreshing. KFYI seemed to do a fair job as did KTAR (at least from a coverage standpoint alone, but some things were troubling).

One MAJOR bone of contention with KTAR however: Perhaps they could have saved the self-agrandizing for another day. On many occasions, McBland and the various news anchors constantly noted that KTAR was FIRST on the scene and FIRST this and FIRST that. Well, congratulations KTAR, you got to the wreckage before it stopped burning, way to go. It's a sensative issue, but the last thing I want to hear on my radio is the competitive side when trying to sort through a difficult situation.

I realize that we're in a competitive business here and I am the supreme capitalist for sure, but there are times where you shouldn't dislocate your shoulder to pat yourself on the back and this was one of them.
 
KMGX said:
Who is to say what the 'proper' way to cover these types of events may be. This is a scenario where TV wins out over radio in terms of coverage, as 1) the tragic event happened to two TV stations (and their pilots/photographers), 2) there are pictures of the event and more people are inclined to say, "turn on channel x" than to say "turn on KFYI (KTAR)". So, it's hard to really critique the coverage itself.

That being said, a few stations dropped the ball entirely. KFNX was busy airing real estate shows rather than serving the community, KPHX felt the need to do more polarizing political talk with Randi Rhodes and the kook Jeff Nefarious who was interviewing senators and throwing barbs at conservatives. KKNT and Preston Westmoreland actually did a half-way decent job themselves... Preston actually brought a fair amount of insight and reason into the discussion--which considering how he was at KTAR was exceptionally refreshing. KFYI seemed to do a fair job as did KTAR (at least from a coverage standpoint alone, but some things were troubling).

One MAJOR bone of contention with KTAR however: Perhaps they could have saved the self-agrandizing for another day. On many occasions, McBland and the various news anchors constantly noted that KTAR was FIRST on the scene and FIRST this and FIRST that. Well, congratulations KTAR, you got to the wreckage before it stopped burning, way to go. It's a sensative issue, but the last thing I want to hear on my radio is the competitive side when trying to sort through a difficult situation.

I realize that we're in a competitive business here and I am the supreme capitalist for sure, but there are times where you shouldn't dislocate your shoulder to pat yourself on the back and this was one of them.
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Well said! I was extremely put off by the continual reminder that KT'R was the first radio station on scene. How tacky!!

As for KFYI, Leibo did an OUTSTANDING job walking into the situation at the last minute. Kudos to Leibo.
 
Hats off to Barry Young today, he is doing good, quality analysis of the accident.

Without the sensational BS and emotion.

Just some good analysis about who is at fault and do we need 5 copters on a nothing story?

I'm glad someone else feels the same way about KTAR bragging, it wasn't the right thing to do.
 
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