It’s your turn….

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Scott,

Nearly a decade has passed since I transitioned from investigative journalism to the strategic realms of crisis communications and business management. During this time, I've witnessed the media landscape's evolution, often checking your blog to stay connected to the industry I once called home.

It's disheartening to see the shift towards "infotainment," which often leaves me nostalgic for the days of true journalists like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Their relentless pursuit of truth, free from the distractions of social media, led to one of the most significant political revelations in American history. Can you imagine what Nixon might have gotten away with if Carl and Bob had been preoccupied with dancing or sharing their nightly routines on social media?

If the creators of mindless content focused on their real jobs, they might earn prestigious awards like the George Foster Peabody or an Edward R. Murrow instead of participation trophies like an Emmy. It's a shame that news directors employ talent who prioritize content that offers no real value to viewers.

As Mr. Fontes demonstrates, he can brush his teeth, floss, and shower—remarkable! Here's your participation ribbon because billions of people perform these tasks every night before bed.

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Hi,
I saw your post about a freelance news writers at KABC. Just thought you should know they do get benefits.

All the O & O’s in Los Angeles are union shops. No one is truly freelance, they don’t get 1099s and are w2 employees. They get union
or company retirement benefits and health insurance. Under LAcity law they are also entitled to 6 sick days a year and the unions mandate paid vacation as well for so-called freelancers. In some shops freelancephoyofs for example get paid more so some people opt to stay freelance.

Also up until about a year ago, just about everyone at KCBS/KCAL was freelance, including some anchors. That changed with new management.

Freelancing in LA is very different than other places.

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Scott,

On this story... https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2024/6/26/did-you-just-kill-al-roker

So, it's horrifically bad enough the mistake he made, but the part of this story that really burns me up is the fact that he was hired as a Media Relations Coordinator. Businesses and other entities do this ALL THE TIME. They hire reporters and anchors for these jobs, but when the Marketing Director's from these same stations apply for such jobs, totally passed over. Forget that these are the folks who also work in News Departments, also write News Releases, also eat, sleep and live Branding and Messaging, which is what these businesses really want. But no, we recognize the face and the position the reporter/anchor has so it's an immediate hire.

Oh well, time to write a topical about a water-skiing squirrel.

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Scott,

In your latest piece about 'Fewer Are Seeing a Life in News . . . ' could it be that name changes are in the offing for those TV talents in local news?

I've notice with the British BBC and Australia TV that they no longer use the term "news anchor" as it is in the US. But instead, use the term "news presenter."

I've also seen in English language foreign websites the term "news reader" being used for TV talents, too.

But, the BBC does use "correspondent" instead of "reporter" for their TV news talents.

With the influx of newer personnel, in local TV news, whose journalistic talents are noticeable lower than their predecessors, maybe the terms "journalist" "anchor" and "reporter" could be replaced with the terms of "news reader" and/or "news presenter."

Of late in local TV news, many times I've seen where the reporters have scrimped so badly with the details, that I've labeled them as "news presenters," as they seem to lack a fortitude that's found with legitimate "reporters."

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Scott,

I don’t know how you do it but thank you.

FTVLive is the only media site that takes no punches, tells it like it is, and consistently breaks stories.

I wake up and start each day by logging on to your site.

Amazingly, you have done this all by yourself.

Congratulations.