E
E-Dub
Guest
I am not liking WLNE's coverage of Hurricane Katrina. They just take the network feed, then quickly focus on the local impact, then go to the meteorologist, who still happens to squeeze in the local outlook. They didn't even slap a banner around it, telling us to stay tuned for continuing coverage. Just go right to the local news.
Now here's what I would have done.
Begin with an opening banner. Briefly explain the situation. Go to network feed. Go LIVE to TF Green for folks arriving from down South. Study history of Katrina (i.e. formation, movement, South Florida hit, ect.). Weather. Do reports on other local impact (i.e. how Red Cross, NSTAR, Narragansett Electric, ect. are helping out the matter). Look at the other Cat. 5s. If possible, talk with those that are in New Orleans, or go exclusively to network or affiliate shot. Report on shelters. Report on evacuations. Numbers to make donations. If not staying with Katrina for whole newscast, slap on abc6.com and Continuing Coverage banners. Then go to commericial before looking at other news. Don't forget to rely on LIVE ariel shots from the South, and always keep the map of Katrina where the bug is.
Now how hard is that? Shouldn't cost them a penny, maybe just for LIVE shots and phone calls. You see, even though WLNE is in third place, they still have the potential to put together a good newscast. But no, they have to look downright embarrassing. Even WJAR hasn't had alot of coverage of Katrina. They ought to get on the ball too. So far, the best coverage in Providence has been WPRI. But of course, all three haven't matched the quality of just one of the Boston stations.
Now here's what I would have done.
Begin with an opening banner. Briefly explain the situation. Go to network feed. Go LIVE to TF Green for folks arriving from down South. Study history of Katrina (i.e. formation, movement, South Florida hit, ect.). Weather. Do reports on other local impact (i.e. how Red Cross, NSTAR, Narragansett Electric, ect. are helping out the matter). Look at the other Cat. 5s. If possible, talk with those that are in New Orleans, or go exclusively to network or affiliate shot. Report on shelters. Report on evacuations. Numbers to make donations. If not staying with Katrina for whole newscast, slap on abc6.com and Continuing Coverage banners. Then go to commericial before looking at other news. Don't forget to rely on LIVE ariel shots from the South, and always keep the map of Katrina where the bug is.
Now how hard is that? Shouldn't cost them a penny, maybe just for LIVE shots and phone calls. You see, even though WLNE is in third place, they still have the potential to put together a good newscast. But no, they have to look downright embarrassing. Even WJAR hasn't had alot of coverage of Katrina. They ought to get on the ball too. So far, the best coverage in Providence has been WPRI. But of course, all three haven't matched the quality of just one of the Boston stations.