> > In every newscast this week, channel 8 has seemingly
> started
> > its hurricane coverage by tossing to meteorologist Pete
> > Delkus in Baton Rouge. His insight was okay on the first
> > day or so when this was primarily a weather story.
> However,
> > as the story has turned to a recovery effort, it has
> seemed
> > very odd for him to be the lead reporter on this story.
> He
> > more or less winds up repeating what we already know and
> > tossing to other reporters who have more insight. It
> seems
> > like a waste to have him there now.
> >
> Yes and no. WFAA already has him there so use him in any
> capacity and since the story is weather related, go for it.
>
> On the other side of the coin however, I still question the
> need for every station to send their own reporters, when
> there are plenty of network reporters,and company affiliate
> reporters already on the scene. There is really no need for
> a "local angle" except for the evacuation centers set up
> away from New Orleans. If the "local" affiliate asks its
> sister affiliates for help, then by all means go. If not
> stay put. The abundance of out of state and out of town
> reporters appears to put a strain on the system as far as
> the local resources are concern. The rush for ratings needs
> to take a back seat on stories of this type.
>
That last sentence cuts to the center of what's behinf distant stations putting crews into the storm area--news departments establishing a presence even when there's no local tie in. Stations are overly concerned that their viewers will think less of them for not being on the scene and allowing networks and sister stations to get the job done. It's unfortunate, and expensive, that this attitude prevails, in light of the fact that the audience just wants competent coverage. Every local station within 500 miles need not maintain a foothold on the event by originating its own coverage. So it is indeed the ratings game they play, but where's the payoff by spending money on putting non-local crews on stories, even as devastating as New Orleans. Viewers still will stay tuned and ratings won't be significantly impacted one way or the other. It's just the way local television is done these days. But, again, such is the drive for each station to establish its own identity with an eye toward getting a step ahead of the competition. After all, it's their money.