21 Comments on tuesday january 24, 2006 : field report
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Wow - thanks for the honor. I can honestly say I had no idea Garfield was going to contribute the story to Rocketboom, so I’m surprised, delighted AND terrified.
Steve Safran
NECN
Lost Remote
nice show.. really like the idea from that newsstation!
do they mix client-video with professional-video in their newsshow?
Steve Safran-
Great opening comment about “Oh, this is the thing that makes my cheeks look fat.” I appreciate knowing media mavens can be just as offended as the rest of us by our virtual representation.
I hope you enjoy your new-found fame. May it lead to fortune, too.
Hi Steve,
I’m surprised that you are surprised.
I usually tell people that reports I do will at least make it onto my video blog, and that I submit them to Rocketboom.
It’s up to Rocketboom if they air in part or as a whole report.
I’m happy when the whole piece airs unedited like it did with today’s report.
Glad you are delighted too!
–Steve
What no Ninja news?
Its nice to catch a glimpse of all that whiz bang, high tech studio environment. Imaging how many more viewers NECN would have if they just used Amanda and a map! Just beinng cheeky!
wow! I guess you all were feeling lazy today!
Everyone needs a break!
Googlezon!
Interesting story. Sounds a little like a news station wanting to squeeze content out of people for FREE - so they can lower costs and make more profit…
Still, a nice use of video.
Although, I went to NECN and wanted to look at their videos, but they only support Windows Media Players.
Why can’t these media companies be more like Rocketboom and not leave Apple/Mac people out in the cold?
The future is content on demand for EVERYONE - even Mac people!!
Chris:
1. We’re not trying to squeeze anyone. It’s voluntary and easy. We haven’t canned anyone in favor of the program. And we don’t make any profit off this. (In fact, I lose a teeny amount of money every time someone uploads.) Why so cynical?
It’s no different than inviting emails. We want people to tell US what’s important, and if that’s in text or video, that’s cool. Trust me - when you have to fill 24 hours with TV, you don’t need to bump ANYTHING to fit in new stuff.
2. Couldn’t agree more about the Mac compatibility. A tremendous frustration of mine. We are limited by a tiny budget and need to appeal to the widest audience. We’re likely switching to Flash which, no doubt, will also annoy some users. Podcasting will happen as well. We are hardly a giant corporation - and we need to pick our spots.
3. Matz-o-man (great name!)asked if we mixed “client” video with our vids. The answer is we absolutely do, and we give credit where due. If there is a big breaking story and the viewers want to help us tell it, we’re not about to say “Well, OK, but keep your stuff away from ours.” The story is what matters - not who got what.
Thanks for the feedback, all.
“This is the begining of a beautiful friendship”.
This is way beyon anything high tech- ever hear of morphogenic fields? Try it, you’ll be AMAZED.
—–
Subject: 98%
At the end of this message, you are asked a question.
Answer it immediately. Don’t stop and think about it.
Just say the first thing that pops into your mind.
This is a fun “test”… AND kind of spooky at the same time! Give it a try, then e-mail it around (including back to me) and you’ll see how many people you know fall into the same percentage as you. Be sure to put in the subject line if you are among the 98% or the 2%. You’ll understand what that means after you finish taking the “test”.
Now.. just follow the instructions as quickly as possible.
Do not go to the next calculation before you have finished the previous one..
You do not ever need to write or remember the answers, just do it using your mind.
You’ll! be surprised.
Start:
How much is:
15 + 6
3 + 56
89 + 2
12 + 53
75 + 26
25 + 52
63 + 32
I know! Calculations are hard work, but it’s nearly over..
Come on, one more…
123 + 5
QUICK! THINK ABOUT A COLOR AND A TOOL!
Scroll further to the bottom…
A bit more…
You just thought about a red hammer, didn’t you?
If this is not your answer, you are among 2% of people who have a different, if not abnormal, mind.
98% of the folks would answer a red hammer while doing this exercise.
If you do not believe this, pass it around and you’ll see.
Be sure to put in the subject line if you are among the 98% or the 2% and send to everyone, including the person that sent it to you.
Hmmm…what was that URL again? Was it Boston dot com? Can you repeat that again? …
8-)
Some great ideas, they have.
Mr. Safran,
I think its great that you are taking the time to answer questions and respond to people on the comments board.
I will confess that I am VERY cynical when it comes to the intentions of TV, newspapers and how they are handling “the new media”.
I don’t know much about your news station, but I have read (and seen) how much of local news has become rating-dependent, corrupted by advertising and profit driven. Many local stations focus on just a few topics:
1. Fires
2. Car Chases
3. Protecting YOU from Perverts
4. Miscellaneous Misdemeanor Crimes
5. Weather Dangers
Very little of the news deals with national, international issues (Does anyone know they had an election in Canda?) or investigating real stories (like government corruption).
And as for the corruption of advertising, let’s say you are watching “The Apprentice” on NBC, and during the commercials the local news does a promo and says “What do real life local apprentices think of Donald Trump? Find out tonight at 11:00.” That is an example of TV entertaiment intruding on journalism. They are using the news to advertise and promote their entertainment, and that’s bad.
Sorry to be so cynical, but much of our democracy is going to hell because of crappy journalism.
Interesting book called “Knightfall”by former editor Davis Merritt explains a lot of this.
However, I think that if done properly, using “citizen journalists” to tell stories that NEED to be told and using it to enhance the news (not in place of news) is a good thing.
More power to you at NECN!
If I’d changed my name to Steve, I’d probably still be working in Boston! (Whether that would be a good thing is another question.) Amanda & Andrew (& r’tboomers), check out Steve Safran’s secret identity as a blogger at the TV-biz group blog, http://lostremote.com
i like amanda all drunk and perky..
NEWS RULES!
Just “discovered ” rocketboom and I am hooked!
I can’t gin up a real passionate defense of some of the excesses of “local news” that ChrisM70 posted in cynical disgust. But I’d like him to cut these folks a little slack, because while any news operation could be “better,” local news fills a particular informational void and should be consumed as one bite of a bountiful buffet of information available to us all.
The overly sensational “if it bleeds, it leads” action news style, the promotional tie-ins to network shows, and a seeming preoccupation with all things trivial are not pretty sights on the tube.
But, local news is, well … local. I don’t tune in to the 6 o’clock news for the finer points of Canadian parliamentary politics.
No, I got stuck in highway traffic while people were rubbernecking a three-alarm fire. What happened? Maybe a local landmark burned down. Perhaps somone I know died. Maybe not, but I am curious.
If someone is murdered down the street (as happened the other day), I would like to know what happened. Okay, it was a sad murder-suicide, but I am glad to know there isn’t a murderous home invader on the loose.
The weather hype can be tedious, but I do want to know what’s “on the horizon.” Will the kids have school tomorrow? And some of the local weather personalities are, in fact, entertaining.
Yes, local tv news must turn a profit to stay alive, and that means it must attract an audience and keep costs down. So, it is going to have eye candy and some sensationalism and can’t afford to have two dozen reporters squirreling out waste, fraud, abuse and corruption or dwell on every city council subcommitee hearing.
But, local tv news does cover (and sometimes uncover) such stories. Crooked politicians, scam artists and bribe-paying contractors certainly find their way into the news.
Trying to fill time on a slow news day inevitably leads to showing a fair share of fluff and “misdemeanors,” but they can’t just say, “Oh, well … there’s no more news” and fade to black for five minutes.
Don’t expect every local tv news operation to be some pulitizer prize-winning shop, a gray lady of the airwaves. They do what they do, some better than others. The best informed people seek out many sources of information. There’s local tv news and the local paper. Sure, they’ll give you the basic national and int’l headlines, but you’d better also read one or two national newspapers — or major regional papers — and watch a couple of nat’l tv news networks — and pick over a variety of magazines and then, of course, explore the many sources of information now blessedly available on the internet.
Just don’t forget that a crime, fire, car chase or snow storm is a part of the “news” as much as corruption, genocide, war, and the inumerable public policy issues that you would like to see more fully covered.
By the way, one of my favorite cartoons on this subject went something like this. Each panel featured a local tv news guy promoting the 11 o’clock news.
“Is a pervert stalking your child’s school?”
“Is the bird flu living in your house?”
“Does your pantry contain deadly toxins that could kill your baby?”
….etc. for several panels ….
Then, the final panel was the anchor opening the 11 o’clock news with one word.
“No.”
Just “discovered ” rocketboom and I am hooked!
I can’t gin up a real passionate defense of some of the excesses of “local news” that ChrisM70 posted in cynical disgust. But I’d like him to cut these folks a little slack, because while any news operation could be “better,” local news fills a particular informational void and should be consumed as one bite of a bountiful buffet of information available to us all.
The overly sensational “if it bleeds, it leads” action news style, the promotional tie-ins to network shows, and a seeming preoccupation with all things trivial are not pretty sights on the tube.
But, local news is, well … local. I don’t tune in to the 6 o’clock news for the finer points of Canadian parliamentary politics.
No, I got stuck in highway traffic while people were rubbernecking a three-alarm fire. What happened? Maybe a local landmark burned down. Perhaps somone I know died. Maybe not, but I am curious.
If someone is murdered down the street (as happened the other day), I would like to know what happened. Okay, it was a sad murder-suicide, but I am glad to know there isn’t a murderous home invader on the loose.
The weather hype can be tedious, but I do want to know what’s “on the horizon.” Will the kids have school tomorrow? And some of the local weather personalities are, in fact, entertaining.
Yes, local tv news must turn a profit to stay alive, and that means it must attract an audience and keep costs down. So, it is going to have eye candy and some sensationalism and can’t afford to have two dozen reporters squirreling out waste, fraud, abuse and corruption or dwell on every city council subcommitee hearing.
But, local tv news does cover (and sometimes uncover) such stories. Crooked politicians, scam artists and bribe-paying contractors certainly find their way into the news.
Trying to fill time on a slow news day inevitably leads to showing a fair share of fluff and “misdemeanors,” but they can’t just say, “Oh, well … there’s no more news” and fade to black for five minutes.
Don’t expect every local tv news operation to be some pulitizer prize-winning shop, a gray lady of the airwaves. They do what they do, some better than others. The best informed people seek out many sources of information. There’s local tv news and the local paper. Sure, they’ll give you the basic national and int’l headlines, but you’d better also read one or two national newspapers — or major regional papers — and watch a couple of nat’l tv news networks — and pick over a variety of magazines and then, of course, explore the many sources of information now blessedly available on the internet.
Just don’t forget that a crime, fire, car chase or snow storm is a part of the “news” as much as corruption, genocide, war, and the inumerable public policy issues that you would like to see more fully covered.
By the way, one of my favorite cartoons on this subject went something like this. Each panel featured a local tv news guy promoting the 11 o’clock news.
“Is a pervert stalking your child’s school?”
“Is the bird flu living in your house?”
“Does your pantry contain deadly toxins that could kill your baby?”
….etc. for several panels ….
Then, the final panel was the anchor opening the 11 o’clock news with one word.
“No.”
hmmm. i got a green hammer… ?
Boston is better than NYC. ha!! Good job Steve.