Here's one of the situations you hate as a reporter or a news manager. Unfortunately, it can happen to the most conscientious journalist.
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In ye olden days, AP or UPI newswire teletypes would spit out a constant stream of paper in newsrooms. Editors or reporters would have to periodically use rulers to tear apart the continuous spool of paper into individual stories. These stories would be sorted into baskets or hooks on the wall. This was called "stripping the wire". In the same way, this blog will attempt to sort through relevant content on the internet to identify and "strip out" items of interest for my students.
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- Carbondale, Illinois, United States
- Joey Helleny is a Lecturer in broadcast journalism at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
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5 comments:
This is a hard story for me to comment on however, I do believe in honest mistakes. This reporter should have made sure, doubled checked, or contacted police to make sure that all of the family in the coverage area knew about the death of their loved one. If they knew everyone was notified than going to the grandmas house was a good idea. If not they needed to wait until word was given.Reporters make mistakes they are human too!
Abby Buzick
It was an honest mistake I'm sure. If I heard about someones death and informed their family, not as a reporter, the family would not be upset with me. They would be upset with the authorities. However, as reporters we have an obligation to protect those who die, until the proper authorities do so. We can't afford to make those kind of mistakes if we want to work in this field. I do think that it is some bullshit that "an anonymous tipster" from another station leaked this info. I'm sure that was a smear campaign to ruin the reputation of the reporter, as well as the station they work for. THat is the part of the business I don't like. That is juvenile!!
Although reporters make honest mistakes and are human and I believe this was nothing more than that, this is a tough issue. There are certain steps that reporters should take in situations like this and although it may seem basic, there is a step-by-step process that you should follow. I understand the family being upset and the reporter did apologize.
This is an honest mistake. The news conference had been held hours before the station went to the grandmother's house. Most would assume she'd already been notified, though I would hate to be in this reporter's shoes. I couldn't imagine the grandmother's reaction. It must have been horrifying, and I believe this experience is punishment enough for the reporter.
I bet he was so ashamed. I do beleive it was just a mistake. I can't believe this. Double checking is a MUST in this situation.
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