Comments for live apartment fire

Comment on Who’s out of line? by rcrabbe

rcrabbe — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:20:31 +0000

Coming from someone who has engaged in every possible newsgathering activity – good and bad – it sounds like some serious adult supervision could be useful in both cases. I don’t miss it at all.

Comment on Rascally rabbits by live apt fire

live apt fire — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:03:22 +0000

I’ve had variations of this dilemma on many previous occasions. I’ve just never blogged about it before while plotting strategy. Thanks for the good vibes.

Comment on Rascally rabbits by live apt fire

live apt fire — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:53:43 +0000

KP: You wrote “I don’t think any of the tactics suggested above are fair,” yet allow me to point out that your suggestion is consistent with what I wrote in the subheads “write them” and “call them.” Assuming they’d want to know why I requested a visit, I’d give them the reasons you suggested.

Good reporters are generally upfront with respectable institutions employing professional media contacts. I’m pretty sure the folks I’m contacting will lack that sophisticated touch.

Comment on Rascally rabbits by turdpolishertv

turdpolishertv — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:34:25 +0000

Had a similar one several years back. Worked for 6 weeks documenting illegal activity spanning more than 20 years. ND wanted us to hit them with a request the morning before the story aired. Reporter and I insisted we give them a minimum of 24 hours to respond.

Of course, they didn’t, then demanded an opportunity to answer the allegations once the story aired.

The best you can do is be straight with them, give them an adequate amount of time to investigate before your interview so that they can have some type of answer for you, then go ahead with the story as planned.

Comment on Rascally rabbits by Fred

Fred — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:43:13 +0000

It looks like you have just become self-aware of the unversial dilemma afflicting every top-notch ace investigatve reporter.

God bess you as you seek the path of true enlightenment and wisdom grasshopper.

Comment on Rascally rabbits by KP

KP — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:27:15 +0000

For heaven’s sake, just call them up, tell them you have received some alarming/startling/concerning information about the facility and before you air the story, you want to give them an opportunity to share their side of the story. Offer to meet first and ask, even encourage, them to allow an on-camera interview, explaining you want to give them a fair shake and equal time.

I don’t think any of the tactics suggested above are fair and sound more like Fox5 or Channel 46′s approach to tough reporting.

Like Spin Doctor, I deal with the media daily and I appreciate it when they are honest and upfront about what they know and what they are looking for in the story. That’s the way good reporters do it.

Comment on Rascally rabbits by Funkmeister

Funkmeister — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:56:01 +0000

Try thinking about investigating their side of the story, initially, as if it is a separate story.

As you wrote, they are likely proud of what they consider their mission and accomplishments, so approach them by email or phone, telling them that you’re interested in them and their activities. That’s completely truthful. Let them give you their “dog and pony show” first, get a spokesperson for an interview and ask appropriate questions based upon what you’ve seen and heard there. Then, after hearing all about their activities from their perspective, mention the allegations and invite them to respond.

In this way you’ll approach them truthfully, with respect; give them the opportunity to tell you what they think is their overall story, without being placed on the defensive; after which they will have an opportunity to address the allegations; all without you coming across as accusatory.

Good luck!

Comment on Rascally rabbits by Spin Doctor

Spin Doctor — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:36:13 +0000

Being on the receiving end of most of these tactics at one point (except bait and switch) I can say email or phone call should be the first option. Both work fine.

The annoying thing is getting that call or email mid-morning announcing you are live at 6, so I have to develop responses by 4 to meet your deadline after you have been working on it for 2 weeks.

Comment on Who’s out of line?! Round two by live apt fire

live apt fire — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:13:14 +0000

Thanks, Anonymous, for the refreshingly coherent clarification– and thanks for playing along!

Comment on Who’s out of line?! Round two by Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:21:57 +0000

A few corrections to your scenario…

First, when the reporter from Station B called said unrelated source to meet her at the courthouse, the press conference had not yet been announced and no other crews were at the courthouse. She was working the story exclusively at that time.

Second, it was very clear that when the reporter from Station L arrived at the courthouse, he not only had no clue what the story was about, but no clue who the unnamed source was.

The Station B reporter did relocate several times with the source, and asked the reporter from Station L to ‘take a hike’ several times (your words, not mine).
The Station B reporter even paused to give Station L reporter a chance to ask the source anything he wanted, which he couldn’t do because he had no idea who the source was or what the story was.

In the end, Station B ended up with the exclusive anyway (one of the victims from the case that was being indicted) thanks in part to the photographer from Station L verbally attacking the reporter from Station B, leaving the source believing that Station L was completely unprofessional. No harm, no foul.

Btw, I welcome the new addition to your site.