The Inbox...

Let’s open up the Inbox and see what’s on your minds.

This FTVLive reader wanted to weigh in on the Met that claimed that Sinclair just did not have the money to pay for storm video.

Scott,

I'd like to take a moment to comment on your article about the meteorologist begging for free storm chaser content.

First off stations, even Sinclair stations, in tornado prone areas have their own storm chasers and field meteorologists. I worked in Oklahoma City and we trained and sent reporters and photographers out all the time. The National Weather Service provides training for spotters for free. Any station manager that doesn't take advantage of that is just ignorant.

Second, airing video of a tornado on the ground is absolutely NOT about public safety. It is about ratings and clicks. Granted, people in the path of a storm that produces a large tornado may take it a bit more seriously if they see it...but they can see the damage from the station staff. When it comes to public safety, radar and meteorologists save lives. Showing street level information with velocity and storm tracks saves lives. A picture or video of a tornado that has already happened does not.

Why not?

With the exception of a few incredibly large tornadoes, by the time video is uploaded or processed and the station has found it on social media the tornado is done and over. The storm track continues and that should be the focus. There are exceptions to this, obviously, but if you're in the direct path of a tornado in a tornado prone area you are not waiting to see pictures to know if a storm is dangerous.

Finally, promoting storm chasers is in my opinion deadlier than the tornadoes themselves. If you've never been storm chasing you won't get this, but these days there can be a mile of cars all looking out for themselves to get the best pictures of a storm.

Some storm chasers are out there for public safety reasons. Many are out there for profit. I can't tell you how many times I was almost involved in an accident because of a storm chaser driving opposite to traffic, or ignoring basic rules of the road to get their shot.

The growth of this adrenaline activity has led to a number of ameatur storm chasers and they can get killed and can get others killed when they block exit routes or when storms do something unexpected.

Email:

Scott,
I know you do a lot of updates on News Nation.

Any thoughts on how much longer it can keep going without an audience?

FTVLive Response: That’s a better question for Nexstar CEO Perry Sook. I know that Sook doesn’t like to admit failure, so my guess is News Nation is here for years to come. When Nexstar announced that they were going to launch an unbiased cable network, I was excited as anyone and thought it was a great idea. Sadly, the execution has been awful and so far it is a failure. I still hold out hope they can turn it around.

Email:

Scott,

I am a student that is looking at getting into TV news. Can you give me any advice?

FTVLive Response:

Don’t!

Okay, I’m only half kidding. If you just want to be on TV, then you will be one of many that are in the business for that very reason.

My advice is to go into producing. Stations are always looking for Producers and you can at least have an impact on shaping the news.

If you want to work at Tegna, shave your head into a mohawk, dye it purple and get as many body piercings as possible. Take lots of selfies, forget journalism and just spout your opinion as much as you possibly can on your social media. You’ll be hired 30 seconds after you graduate.