Dying for the News...
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There is no doubt that the job of a Journalist can be dangerous.
Covering crime scenes, fires and hostage situations, all come with the job. Knocking on a suspect’s door is always a scary situation.
The risks come with the job of reporting the news.
But, what about the risks we don’t have to take?
In my time covering TV news, I have jumped out of an airplane, rode the rapids, flew with the Thunderbirds, stunt pilots and did a number of other things that all could have gone wrong.
We’ve seen Reporters stand in front of knife throwers at the circus, up on the trapeze and holding or petting a number of dangerous animals.
This is all part of the job, where we put ourselves in danger, just to help make the story a bit better.
When you roll up on a hostage situation, it’s your job to cover what is happening? You don’t have much choice in the matter.
But, what about when the station sends you to the local air show?
FTVLive told you that WVUE Anchor Nancy Parker died on Friday while doing a story on a stunt pilot. Parker hopped in the plane, just like many Reporters before her to take a ride.
But this ride ended in a crash that killed both Parker and the stunt pilot.
It was basically a feature story and she died while covering it.
Like we said, this job can be dangerous, but getting killed while doing a feature?
It might be time for TV stations to rethink how crews cover stories?
Yes, when it comes to breaking news like covering storms and fires, there is a risk. But losing a staff member while doing a feature?
Could Parker have covered the story of the stunt pilot without ever going into the air? Sure.
Would the story have been as good? That is up for debate.
Viewers love seeing the Anchors and Reporters being a part of the story.
But, is it worth the risk?
That’s the question that many stations have to ask themselves moving forward.
Nancy Parker leaves behind a husband, three children and lots of friends heartbroken. She died doing her job, but many will ask, did she have to?
