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We, of Radio, Discuss Credibility:

S

Scooter Lesley

Guest
Most of my career was spent in Radio, but I also worked in TV. Either way, whether News, Weather, Sports or just Banter, one's Credibility is on the line, via Broadcast. TV Newscasts are mostly prepared script, displayed for on-cam reading, via teleprompter. Recently, and without doubt, NBC's Evening Anchor, Brian Williams, had his Credibility seriously compromised. I'll weigh-in later, but it's on the table,....what say ye?
 
Well,....once again, it seems as though, I have Typed a Taboo Topic! No one wanting in...so, I'll start:
Considering his job, and so many stories covered, I can understand that his recollections might run together, some times having error. There are those, who have said, that my memory is good, and that has to come from someone else there, at the same time. I support veterans. My Dad was Combat Wounded World War II, and I lost him in November. However, here, I question the credibility of the Veteran, that has claimed Brian is in error. The Media has pounced prematurely, as it always does, when maybe Brian was just confused....or maybe he was correct, in what he said. Speculate both sides.
 
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There does seem to be room for misunderstanding but as yet I haven't heard a complete description of the event - therefore I am not going to be critical. And I say that as a veteran myself. I tend to think these things tend to be blown out of proportion and take on a life of their own. It is one thing to produce a complete fabrication (as Hillary reportedly did with "bullets whizzing over her head") but is there really a difference in perception with bullets hitting the chopper as opposed to an RPG round? These guys are not soldiers and are not used to combat situations so it could be understandable they would not know the difference.

Tempest in a teapot I say!
 
We had a death in the family recently. I lost a 95 year old aunt. The obit was short but it confused me. I made some phone calls to the family genealogist to confirm the date of the aunts marriage. And while on the phone, we discussed a trip I remember from my very early years where the genealogist, a cousin of mine, may or may not have made. (I think our mothers made the trip together with my mother driving.) Before the conversation was over, I realized I had been living with "bad info" for decades.

Every time there are family gatherings, someone brings up what it was like at a certain funeral or wedding... and there is usually a lot of "misremembering" going on in the room.

Wars are not won or lost because I can't remember what year my aunt married, and what year she quickly became a widow so it is not a big scandal when I quote a bad date that we made a trip, and what county did my grandmother live in when she was in a house that had no plumbing.... they didn't even have an outhouse!!! (gives new meaning to the term "public facilities".)

But we often accuse media of trying to steer and influence the politics of our nation, and when we catch a media person getting something wring, we immediately go into "tongue-clucking mode" and muttering tsh, tsh, tsh.... shame on you.

When the guy in the next booth in the coffee shop makes some statement that the Bible says ..... "..." and you know he has it wrong, we don't normally go into hyper-ventilate mode. But when the past of the church... from the pulpit... has it wrong, we become rather indignant. He is supposed to know better!

When you've gone through the process of having HVAC designed for you home and maybe a couple of times for a radio station, and the HVAC salesman standing there trying to sell you your next one puts his foot in his mouth and you know he has it wrong, we tend to walk away and start a new search.

How much wrath is it proper to heap upon a journalist when they "get it wrong"? It's a conversation that all citizens need to participate in once in a while.
 
Scooter Lesley said:
Most of my career was spent in Radio, but I also worked in TV. Either way, whether News, Weather, Sports or just Banter, one's Credibility is on the line, via Broadcast. TV Newscasts are mostly prepared script, displayed for on-cam reading, via teleprompter. Recently, and without doubt, NBC's Evening Anchor, Brian Williams, had his Credibility seriously compromised. I'll weigh-in later, but it's on the table,....what say ye?
Click to expand...

Brian Williams, for reasons known only to him, made himself part of the story re: Iraq. To make matters worse, his original story morphed over the years to the point where his mea culpa was shabby, at best. Now, numerous outlets are questioning his integrity in his reporting from New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This won't end well for Mr. Williams when all is said and done.
 
I agree,...this will not end well. The Media is notorious for prematurely pouncing on one of their own, even in the midst of a stubble, yet a fall from an understood grace. Did Williams lie or just recall it incorrectly?.......orrrrrrrrr did the accusing Veteran recall it incorrectly? The margin for error supplies attention to the Veteran, while a network anchor faces a major career disaster. The investigation stops, as you can't get into either head.
 
i think nbc's multi million dollar man became so comfortable with his success like many broadcasters do that no one would fact check him and he would slither through. someone did and it won't end well
 
The Offended Public demanded a disciplinary response from NBC, and so, we now know what Action #1 is....a six month suspension, without pay. To me, this was the Network merely buying some time, until a more concrete solution can be arrived at. "Without Pay" had to be in the mix, whether true or not. If eventually fired, then we know that to be true, and if actually drawing, that amount will be shaved off of his severance, listed somewhere in his contract. The practice is completely legal. It is safe to say that he will not return to the Evening Anchor desk, and they will fill that, as candidate names are already whippin' in the wind.
However, I again say,....why is the credibility of the accusing Veteran not being checked to the same degree?
 
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Just want to point out that the original report done by Brian Williams in 2003 was correct, and said that he was not in the helicopter that was hit. That's what gives the veteran credibility.
 
So,...what about TV(& Radio) and THE TRUTH? Credibility? Weathercasters are tossing-out an Educated Guess, much like Bassmasters cast their line where they think the Fish are. We, collectively, crucify Brian Williams, yet in the last year or so TV has ran & re-ran that Fake documentary on Mermaids (insert your bad fish jokes, wherever you deem necessary). Also, that wod of Leftist/Liberal Democratic Dookie, GLOBAL WARMING! It got down to 4-degrees last night, here at the Ranch,....there was a knock on the door, as my shrubbery wanted in!
 
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TheBigA said:
Just want to point out that the original report done by Brian Williams in 2003 was correct, and said that he was not in the helicopter that was hit. That's what gives the veteran credibility.
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Thank you.

I still want to believe he can be trusted and I want him back on the air.
 
Well,...with the first cup of Radio coffee(you have to chew it a bit),...I will thank the last post, as we do need to discuss this subject in depth. However, as a Cat owner, I will assure you that they can survive those temperatures. Fluffy was merely testing the character of her neighbor, and technically you oaffed. Also, I should hope that you don't seriously believe your local Radio station to report the correct low. Today, if they can't get their Playlists correct to the point of barely a 4-to-5 share, what makes you think that there is any hard stare at a correctly calibrated thermometer?

Brian Williams will wait-out the storm. This morning Al Roker had to intro, and be on-set with Paula Dean. So, time heals!
 
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The official word from The Charlotte Observer: 13 degrees. But the poor kitty, even if she could survive, wouldn't be happy. And the next morning it was officially 7.
 
Actor extraordinaire, Leonard Nimoy, passed away yesterday, as most of you read, and/or viewed. You can expect a lot of tasteless/insensitive Trekie jokes, but for me, it was easy to respect him. The Topic here is TV Credibility. Yesterday, I couldn't help, but catch one of the Entertainment Tonight female reporters speaking of his role as "Dr. Spock"!
 
O-pinions vary across the Nation! I'm not a fan, nor a follower of Bill Maher, as I side with Ted Nugent.

I too can prepare a Mean Venison Stew!

However, Maher went off in support of Brian Williams, sighting the massive number of stories that Bill O'Reilly has told, over the years.

For my read,...at least Williams ain't cowering down into a puddle of Goo, like Paula Dean did.
 
Scooter Lesley said:
O-pinions vary across the Nation! I'm not a fan, nor a follower of Bill Maher, as I side with Ted Nugent. .
Click to expand...

JeffM said:
It figures. Another loudmouthed, brain-dead has-been.
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Let me ask what may be the SMARTEST question of the day.... what may be the DUMBEST question of the day.

What became of the day when Americans clustered around "The Center"... and the extremists felt the need to hide in the shadows and the bushes?

Today the extremists from both sides seem to occupy the stage of public opinion while the center feels the need to hide in the shadows and the bushes.

I guess I was out observing a rattlesnake hunt or some other pass-time activity and missed the day or the event when we reversed who is center-stage in this country, and who has to take on the behavior patterns of the illegitimate child at the family reunion.

We used to argue that the extremists (both sides) had no credibility. Today extremists battle away while proclaiming that The Center has no credibility.
 
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