Let’s see what you guys are talking about…..

Another FTVLive reader watched News Nation’s new morning show and had this to say:

Scott,

About an hour ago, I watched News Nation's "Morning in America" segment on Alan Jackson, the country music star who recently revealed he has a degenerative nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

News Nation's Aaron Nolan reported the condition isn't deadly, the disease diagnosis doesn't affect Jackson's plans for a tour -- and the singer recently released a new album.

Now -- here's the problem. While reporting live from L.A., Nolan didn't lead into his own interview with Jackson. The reporter didn't interview the singer at all. Nolan had to cite the work of NBC News as Jackson was, in the reporter's words, "opening up to 'The Today Show'" about the disease.

In layman's terms, the newest program on American breakfast television, which is three days old as of this writing, had to mention the work of the originator of American breakfast television. Essentially, News Nation reported what NBC reported.

Ethically, Nolan did the right thing. But, if News Nation really wants viewers to watch "Morning in America", then the network and the program are going to have to come up with the exclusives -- and lots of them. If Nolan had the first interview with Jackson since the diagnosis -- and Jackson opened up to "Morning in America" before opening up to "Today" or anyone else -- that's an exclusive.

On the other hand, though, I get it. "Morning in America" just began the journey of a thousand miles by taking the first few steps. I'm a longtime local broadcaster with more than 20 years of experience as a news producer (I've since left that particular line of work; another story for another time). The first of any broadcast effort won't go quite right.

If News Nation doesn't take proactive steps soon, "Morning in America" is going to be "Mourning in America".

Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute emailed FTVLive to say that the Washington Free Beacon’s Andrew Stiles writes that he was a bit confused with who was offering up what when it came to seminars on stress.

Hi friend

It appears you and Mr. Stiles have conflated some information.

The seminar that I lead with my wife who is a licensed therapist, is not the same as the Dart Center’s online tutorial which is on NewsU, which is what Stiles references, out of context, but that is another issue.

My workshops, which we have taught to thousands of journalists around the world are backed by solid cited research and includes practical insight into who is most affected by traumatic stress, how to recognize it and then how to manage our own stress.

We have taught our workshops to packed rooms at IRE (including the last IRE conference where I saw you) SPJ and we have done many others including for NPPA and NABJ. This year alone we have taught 63 sessions of this constantly updated workshop.

We have taught hundreds of journalists in major markets NYC, LA, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Denver, Dallas and so on. And we have worked with journalists from conflict zones from Eastern Europe and Africa.

One TV Newsie gives his take on this story from yesterday’s FTVLive.

Hopefully, we do not lose sight of what may be the priorities related to this hot mess this story has become. Time to slow down and step back:

- A person died. Anyone forgotten her name yet? Her family?

- A San Francisco anchor made the news about himself and was suspended. Is he surprised? He could not control his bias. The news station has standards. That is good.

- The news is being criticised for the clickbait coverage of white person, and everyone thinks they're a detective syndrome. Now the internet is trying to cancel a news director for doing her job. Ironic, we spend so much time using social media for news, and now it is trying to fire a news director. Hope we take this as a learning opportunity. Take criticism constructively. Leave ego at the door. This is a bias. Reminds me of a scene from one of my favorite shows. We are all addicted to these mystery murder news stories...

This Petito story is chaos. Everyone thinks they are right. No one is wrong. Now we are in 'what about me' mode. Why is this story special compared to others? This news story selection that has a long history problem seems to be brought to light this time. We'll see if anything actually changes. IDK. But I am using this as a learning opportunity to better my standards too.

I have a solution maybe... avoid these chasing trend national stories. You avoid this chaos to begin with. But can we live with not getting the trend clicks or views? I understand this is a tough nut to crack. But we also have to report the news, whether we like it or not. Great, is this one of those catch 22s? IDK what to do. Got a news pickle. Maybe one of those consultants that get paid so much can actually help with something. Consultants... to the rescue!

The story trended. And every news source capitalized. It's a gross system, but that is how the system works. Maybe this is something worth changing. Change how things work. And news anchors have to stop using news to further their own agenda. Selfish. They can do it on their own time.

Am I right and not wrong yet too? Learning every day. Accepting criticism every day.