np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 1

August 2009

NABJ Goes to Tampa Black Journalists Meet to Reinvent Their Careers Page 12

Camera Pools Grow Local Cost- Cutting Trend Draws Gripes Page 4

Reflecting on Cronkite Tom Shales TWITTER Remembers Really Short-Form the Legendary Journalism CBS Anchor Transforms News Page 22 Coverage

COVER IMAGE THOMAS DWORZAK 2009 MAGNUM PHOTOGRAPHY Page 10 09np0005.qxp 7/17/09 12:48 PM Page 1

“

” -- Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac This year’s tours: 1. Ultralight Delivery: Crane Conservation on Our Fractured Landscape Wake up with the birds to see one of North America’s SOCIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS most endangered species. TH 2. Future Energy Choices 19 ANNUAL Join us as we head to Southeastern Wisconsin to talk carbon capture, big coal, solar, Great Lakes wind, and lithium ion batteries. CONFERENCE 3. Cruising Lake Michigan Hop aboard an EPA research vessel as we talk invasive species, bad ballast water, contaminated Hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison sediment and Great Lakes fi sh populations. 4. Roiling the Waters Some deep thinking in a Deep Tunnel about sewage October 7-11, 2009 overfl ows, and then we surface to look at Great Lakes Water Diversion. 5. Wetlands, Wildlife, and Wind A visit to one of the largest wetlands to talk about Among confi rmed speakers this year are water quality, birds and nearby wind turbines. Al Gore... Maude Barlow and Andy Revkin. 6. Feeding Cities: Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Justice For more see our website at www.sej.org. A visit with a noted urban farmer in Milwaukee to talk of local food, better health and reducing our carbon footprint. 7. Canoe the Wisconsin River October 7-11, 2009 Paddle along as we hear about the 20th anniversary of a unique effort that protects the Lower Wisconsin River. REGISTER NOW! 8. A Different Kind of CAFO A large rural farm that tries to be green. www.sej.org 9. CSI Madison: Wildlife Forensics Who ya gonna call?

09np0005.pdf RunDate: 08/ 03 /09 Full Page Color: 4/C np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 3

FROM THE EDITOR Familiar Name, New Beginning

Welcome to the first issue of NewsPro, off as its own stand-alone monthly CONTENTS a publication devoted to the needs and publication serving news professionals in interests of news professionals. every platform. And we hope you will help AUGUST 2009 Whatever your capacity in the field of us find our way to best serve you. journalism, our goal is to tell you things We not only invite your comments and FEEDS you need to know — and to help suggestions, we unashamedly Concerns voiced as local news sharing you to further understand the admit that they’re essential if we sweeps the U.S...... Page 4 things you already know. are to effectively do our job. A chat with CBS News Chief Foreign Some of you may already be Apropos of the cover story of Correspondent Lara Logan ..... Page 6 familiar with NewsPro, though in this premiere issue, as the world Station budget cuts targeting star a different form. The title has been becomes increasingly dependent anchors ..... Page 7 around for the better part of two for news and information on the COVER STORY decades — first as a part of the immediacy of Twitter and other Twitter news proves indispensable as television-industry trade pub- instant technologies, we continue protests erupt in Iran ..... Page 10 lication Electronic Media and, later, as a to believe that there can be a unique SPECIAL REPORT regular feature of TelevisionWeek, as EM bond between a monthly magazine and came to be known when it was its readers. National Association of Black Journalists convenes in Florida ..... Page 12 relaunched in 2003. On that note, we sincerely look But the growth of the news business, forward to visiting with you in the months ONLINE from the traditional TV stations, radio ahead. Our highest possible achievement The quest to make the most of adjunct outlets and newspapers, across a will be to make that sentiment mutual. Web sites ..... Page 26 multitude of cable networks and now SIGNOFF Web sites, e-newsletters and blogs, has Tom Gilbert Why some NBC stations are dreading given us the opportunity to spin NewsPro Editor Jay Leno’s primetime show ..... Page 30 DEPARTMENTS Newsmakers ..... Page 9 ADVERTISING SALES Ph: (212) 210-0748 Fax: (212) 210-0772 Success Story ..... Page 24 Executive Producer: Jeff Reisman, [email protected] Technology ..... Page 28 (212) 210-0748 EDITORIAL OFFICES Producer: Danny Schreiber, [email protected] NewsPro, (USPS# 000-134), Volume 1, Issue 1, is published Ph: (212) 210-0706 Fax: (212) 210-0772 (503) 723-9688 Quarterly, August, September, October, November at Crain SUBSCRIPTION HOTLINE (888) 288-5900 Production Manager: Nicole Dionne Communications Inc, 711 Third Ave, New York, NY 10017. Group Circulation Director: John LaMarca Periodical postage pending at New York, NY, and at additional VP-Publisher: Robert Felsenthal, (212) 210-0262 Circulation Manager: Nicole Chantharaj mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to NewsPro, Editor: Tom Gilbert, [email protected] Circulation Dept, 1155 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207-2912. (212) 210-0706 THE AD AGE GROUP Subscription and Customer Service (888) 288-6954. Subscription Art Director: Jeanine Dunn VP-Publishing and Editorial Director price for US and US Territories is $59, Canada and Mexico is $69, Copy Editor: Angel Musker David S. Klein all other international is $89 per year. CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. Executive VP-Operations: William A. Morrow Chief Information Officer: Paul Dalpiaz Senior VP-Group Publisher: Gloria Scoby Corporate Circulation Director: Chairman: Keith E. Crain Group VP-Technology, Circulation, Patrick Sheposh President: Rance Crain Manufacturing: Robert C. Adams Founder: G.D. Crain Jr. (1885-1973), Keep up to date with what’s going Secretary: Merrilee Crain VP-Production & Manufacturing: Chairman Emeritus: Mrs. G.D. Crain Jr. on in the news industry by visiting us Treasurer: Mary Kay Crain David Kamis (1911-1996) online at TVWeek.com/Newspro NewsPro® is a registered trademark of Crain Communications Inc.

August 2009 | NewsPro | 3 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 4

This Month Page 6 Q&A: CBS News Chief Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan Page 7 Cost Cuts:Star Anchors in Jeopardy Page 8 SPJ: 100 Years and Still Holding On

FeedsINFORMATION AND ANALYSIS FROM THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL NEWS

NEWS POOLS the stations went to work gathering and distributing general market video coverage As Local Sharing Progresses, through a separate LNS entity staffed with 19 experienced assignment editors, New Concerns Emerge photographers and management. Meanwhile, each station pursued the goal of using its own resources to focus on BY HILLARY ATKIN operate efficiently and improve content, other specialized reporting. and be able to grow, to put more bodies in The arrangement has evolved from New. Experimental. Here to Stay? the street, and have more content.” pooling video obtained at basic bread-and- That would be the tease for the rapidly butter daily news events like press spreading practice of fiercely competitive Previous Pooling conferences, speeches and court hearings. television stations joining to pool their The practice of pooling broadcast video “It really has exceeded our expectations in resources as a way to reduce costs and is not a new one, and has long gone on in terms of coverage,” said Kingsley Smith, expand coverage. courtrooms, at concerts and sporting VP and news director of WTXF-TV. “We The pooling of broadcast news video, events, and in other controlled or have 6½ hours of news on every day. The also known as local news sharing (LNS), is restricted situations where multiple LNS shoots 25 to 45 stories a day and a concept that has caught fire in recent cameras might create havoc. It’s also plays a big part in helping with coverage months—but not without controversy— we have not been able to get. It is a content and is under way in several dozen provider that picks up a lot of community markets, including all five of the nation’s “[News pooling] stuff and good local flavor. It’s evolved to largest DMAs. really has exceeded where the LNS has enterprised its own “In these challenging economic times, stories and pitched them to the stations.” we began discussions on how to be more our expactations in efficient,” said Sharri Berg, senior VP of terms of coverage. Impact on Station Identity news operations for Fox Television The LNS shoots 25 Yet even as costs have gone down— Stations, which has 12 of its stations although no one is yet specifying how participating with local competitors in to 45 stories a day.” much—and story count has gone up (an news-pooling arrangements. “The result -Kingsley Smith, WXTF-TV estimated 20 percent at some stations), was not only cost efficiency, but this gave media watchdogs have questioned how us flexibility in directing our own unilateral such arrangements affect coverage and resources. If we’re covering a local news similar to in-house broadcast network impact the viewing audience’s favorable conference, if a station wants to send a feeds, which have existed for decades. feelings for local stations. reporter, it’s their choice. LNS in no way “Production sharing is going to become Jill Geisler, faculty member at the constrains or dictates, but in fact gives increasingly common,” said Richard Poynter Institute, is concerned about what stations more options.” Hanley, assistant professor of journalism she called the hazards of pooling, at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, including diluted coverage, missing Major Groups Involved Conn. “It happened with newspapers, who contacts and stories in the halls of power, Many major station groups are taking forged joint operating agreements and the potential proliferation of staged events, part, including stations affiliated with shared printing facilities. So this is not the fact that pooling may save money but and/or owned by the NBC Television unusual for media companies to share not jobs—and that non-pool players may Network, Tribune Broadcasting, Gannett production costs, and television news is no escape all these hazards. In a June article Broadcasting, CBS Broadcasting, Scripps different. It’s a reality of the moment and for PoynterOnline, she called on news Television Station Group, McGraw-Hill the future. As long as there are still directors to exercise leadership and Broadcasting and Sinclair Broadcast separate reporters, I don’t think it’s a fatal evaluate these risks to prove that pool Group. issue to media.” coverage can make sense economically The practice is not without critics, Philadelphia was the first market to and journalistically. however, who argue that it decreases begin the LNS venture in January 2009, While news-pooling arrangements are competition, costs jobs, blurs the after an agreement was announced fast becoming standard operating procedure, individuality of stations and limits the between Fox and NBC Local Media for many local news leaders—including ABC ability to cover stories. WCAU-NBC 10 and WTXF-FOX 29 to O&Os in Los Angeles, New York and There’s no question about the financial share video, following a trial run between Chicago—are choosing not to participate. benefits, however. “We’ve got to be smarter the two news departments that began the News executives at some of those stations businessmen,” said Steve Charlier, senior previous summer. have said that going it alone makes them VP of news and operations at Tribune While individually retaining all other stronger and more unique in the Broadcasting stations. “Our goal was to aspects of their news-gathering operations, marketplace. Behind the scenes they have

4 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 5

been concerned that jumping into the pool would prop up their weakest competitors. After a six-week trial run in the news pool, Meredith Corp.’s Atlanta station, WGCL-TV, recently took its toes out of the water it had shared with Fox O&O WAGA- TV and Gannett’s WXIA-TV, saying the pool limited its ability to cover different stories. Yet Meredith said it remains committed to the concept—its Phoenix station is on board—and Fox executives are circumspect about the pullout. “With anything new you have to give it time and become comfortable with the concept and expectations,” said Berg. “If you believe in the concept it will work. It depends on the market; each market is different. Some LNSes cover more breaking news, some cover a broader output of community events.”

Fear of Job Loss Yet perhaps the biggest concern of all among working broadcast journalists is job loss. “Each station pays for two individuals, and they get four for free,” said a 20-year veteran photographer at one of the three Los Angeles stations participating in LNS, who did not wish to be identified. “It’s a terrible idea. Eventually they’re going to cry wolf, say they have no money and expand the idea—and more people will be laid off. Are writers next? It has really lousy prospects, in my opinion.” He said he is not only concerned about losing the work, but losing the competitive “You have to give it time and become comfortable with the concept. If you believe in the concept, it will work. It depends on the market. Each market is different.” - Sharri Berg, Fox Television Stations

edge that his station prides itself upon. “You want coverage, yet you’re not willing to pay for it? You want to compete? Hire extra reporters. It’s work that belongs to us, and they’re basically getting it for nothing,” the photographer said. At Tribune’s stations, Charlier said the LNS has not contributed to any cutbacks that have been made, and that some of the stations have added news hours, and hope to add more. “We haven’t made a direct layoff as a result of LNS,” he said.

August 2009 | NewsPro | 5 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 6 Feeds INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS FROM THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL NEWS

NEWSPRO Q&A not to expect anything from anyone. In South Africa. Because we all believed our house, you earned respect and you something had to be done to make things Career Fast Track: made your life by working for it. You also right in my country, and letting the world had to take responsibility for yourself and know the truth was the way to do that. Logan Never Took your actions. NewsPro: What were the drawbacks of No for an Answer Those values, and the love that I had at taking a less-than-traditional career route? home, propelled me into the world from a Logan: I don’t know what the drawbacks CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent very young age. There were no barriers to were because I don’t know what a Lara Logan got her journalism start working anything in our home — and I never traditional route entails. It was hard to for local papers in Durban, South Africa, and believed there was anything I couldn’t do overcome being a foreigner and wanting to later spent several years as a free-lancer for if I wanted to. be on American television. And it was numerous TV outlets, doing definitely hard to be taken everything from assignment seriously as a very young editing to reporting from Kosovo woman at a time when for CNN. foreign reporting, especially She caught CBS’ attention in war zones, was dominated in Kabul in 2001, when she by men. But the work always free-lanced for CBS Radio won in the end. while also a correspondent for the British morning show NewsPro: You worked part- “GMTV.” CBS made her a time at local papers while in contributor to “60 Minutes II” high school and college but you in 2002 and later a staffer. don’t have a college journalism In 2006, while based in Iraq, degree. There are those who she was named CBS’ chief argue that J-school is over - foreign correspondent and a “60 rated. Do you feel you missed Minutes” correspondent. She out by studying commerce not returned to Washington, D.C., in journalism? June 2008, but continues to Logan: I don’t believe travel internationally for major journalism needs to be stories. She recently discussed studied — because the only her career with NewsPro qualification you really need is correspondent Elizabeth Jensen. one you are born with: natural curiosity. If you are curious NewsPro: You have one of the about the world and love more unusual resumes in the poking your nose into other business. You jumped from print people’s business, then you’ll to TV to radio, producing to on-air; do just fine. Everything else mixing staff and free-lance work. you can learn on the job! I In 2001 you were virtually chose not to study journalism unknown to American viewers because I thought knowledge and now you have one of the of the world and economics most visible positions at CBS WORLD CLASS South was more valuable to me. I News. For foreign reporters, African-born Lara Logan had also been a working found it a challenge to having the wherewithal to be on- break into U.S. TV news. journalist for a year by the scene often pays big dividends, time I graduated high school but what gave you the confidence so I knew I could do the job. to forge your own path? Lara Logan: I guess I never really And as a young woman, I was always NewsPro: Today, you’re continuing your considered there was an alternative to being told I could never do this or do that work, which takes you to occasionally ‘forging my own path.’ I was raised to — when I knew inside that I easily could. dangerous places, while raising a son believe that you had to have a strong sense So I never took no for an answer. under a year old. Your fearlessness as a of self — who you are and what you stand And beyond all that is the fact that this war reporter is what many admire, but for — and you had to be willing to stand was never about a job or a career for me, what kind of challenges does that pose in up and be counted. or ‘being on TV.’ It was what I believed in this new phase of your life? My mother used to say, ‘the world does — it was who I am. I became a journalist Logan: Well, first of all, having a baby not owe you a living.’ And we were taught because of what I saw or could not see in makes you cry about everything. It’s

6 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 7

ECONOMIC FALLOUT ridiculous. So that’s a challenge. On my 2008, a level not seen since 1995. last trip to Baghdad I was fighting back the According to Papper, those hit hardest by tears as I sat in an interview, listening to Star Anchors Join salary cuts were on-air employees: Reporters a father describe how his 8-year-old son Journalism’s List of were down 13.3 percent; news anchors, 11.5 was murdered by his kidnappers, even percent, weather forecasters and sports after he paid $30,000 ransom. He showed Endangered anchors about 9 percent. Overall, TV news me photographs of his little body, stiff with salaries dropped 4.4 percent (8.2 percent rigor mortis. They had taken his jacket and Species when inflation-adjusted), the first decrease hanged him with it from a hook. It would he has seen in 15 years of surveys. have taken some time for him to die. BY ELIZABETH JENSEN And all I could think about was the love Market Position Matters and sacrifice that goes into raising a child. When WTVJ-TV’s Kelly Craig was laid off But the cuts aren’t across the board. “The And how losing mine would destroy me. in June after nearly two decades as a fact is, if you’re the frontline anchor at the It is a new world, that’s for sure. But I reigning Miami anchor she was in good No. 1 station or a very competitive No. 2, still believe as much in what I do and I company. Across the country, once you’re fine,” albeit likely having had to take only hope my son grows to understand sacrosanct stars are finding their names on a pay cut, he said. that and love me for it — some day! (And layoff lists or heading into not-always- Conversely, he said, “If you’re a really voluntary retirement. highly paid anchor at a distant No. 2 or 3 or “It was hard to be In St. Louis, KSDK-TV’s lead anchor, 4 station, you’re in trouble.” Deanne Lane, a 25-year-veteran of the Indeed, there are some notable taken seriously as a Gannett Broadcasting station, was let go exceptions. While both WNBC-TV and very young woman at mid-April. That same month, KNBC-TV in WCBS-TV in New York have thinned their a time when foreign Los Angeles said goodbye to highly paid Paul anchor ranks, top-rated WABC-TV so far Moyer, who retired after 24 years. At New hasn’t. Ditto ABC affiliate WSB-TV in Atlanta. reporting, especially York’s WNBC-TV, sportscaster Len Berman Pali Capital analyst Richard Greenfield in war zones, was signed off on April 22, after nearly a quarter questioned in a July blog post why ABC century there, when he couldn’t come to hasn’t taken cost-cutting steps, noting, “We dominated by men. terms on a new contract; his old one paid an believe the local TV business is in secular But the work always estimated $1 million annually. There are won in the end.” regular whispers that his colleagues Chuck “If you’re a really Scarborough and Sue Simmons will retire -Lara Logan, CBS News highly paid anchor after their contracts expire. at a distant No. 2 or not hate me for always being gone). Falling Stars 3 or 4 station, you’re I keep a diary for him now so that if I So is the era of the star anchor ending? in trouble.” am not around forever he will know how Those peering into their crystal balls make much I love him and what it’s been like widely divergent predictions. -Bob Papper, Hofstra University trying to be good mom and still do justice What all agree on is that roles and pay to my job, which I take very seriously. scales are currently undergoing a radical, decline. Revenue might bounce when the sometimes ugly, realignment. All told, about economy recovers,” he wrote, but “we have a NewsPro: There’s a lot of hand-wringing in 1,200 employees in local television news lost hard time believing that local news, weather, the business about the future of foreign their jobs in 2008, or 4.3 percent of the ranks, traffic and sports at 7 a.m./5 p.m./6 reporting, and how much longer networks according to the RTNDA/Hofstra University p.m./11 p.m. can sustain viewership levels, are going to be able and willing to pick up annual survey, conducted by Hofstra and, in turn, advertiser interest over the next the considerable expenses. Do you foresee professor Bob Papper, chairman of the several years.” The culprit, he sees, is a future for young journalists who aspire to school’s journalism department. He found Internet competition and a slew of sports and a similar career as yours? that nearly 32 percent of stations surveyed weather cell phone apps, all “increasing at an Logan: It’s hard to know where the planned to eliminate staff positions in 2009. accelerating pace.” industry is going and I understand the Cost-cutting “is certainly behind a whole Papper doesn’t buy the theory that the uncertainty. I am useless at this type of bunch of retirements we’re seeing, and in star era is over; it’s just “hard to be a high- question because I can’t imagine that some cases they could stay if they were paid anchor” right now. Unlike newspapers, people will not demand credible willing to take a pay cut,” Papper said. he noted, TV news operations haven’t laid information and that as a society we The economy—particularly the severe off many more people than the U.S. would accept the death of reliable slump in auto advertising, local stations’ economy overall, which has shed 3.8 reporting. I have to believe this will work mainstay—is largely to blame. BIA Advisory percent of the work force. Standout itself out to where people still go to the Services recently revised its projected 2009 employees will have options—and the ‘trusted brands’ and that is what I would television station revenue estimate to $16.6 opportunity to jump stations—once the target as a young reporter. billion, which would be off 17.3 percent from economy rebounds, he predicted.

August 2009 | NewsPro | 7 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 8 Feeds INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS FROM THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL NEWS

ANNIVERSARIES with Chris Vachon. That’s down about 1,000 members who work in print than in from a year ago, he said, but the organization electronic journalism, it doesn’t break SPJ Grapples With planned for a drop and has taken cost- down its members by job, instead cutting steps such as reducing the number classifying them by where they are in their Loss of Members of issues of its Quill magazine. career. Its biggest categories are at Century Mark Because of the way that memberships get professional members (4,800) followed by renewed, SPJ took its biggest membership students (1,500.) BY ELIZABETH JENSEN hit at the end of 2008, and its ranks have Among those who choose to identify their remained more or less steady since then, he work, the fastest-growing category is free- When the Society of Professional said, adding that membership in the past five lance, “which should not be surprising when Journalists was founded as a journalistic years has varied between 8,500 and 10,000. you take into account all the journalists who fraternity at DePauw University in Moreover, SPJ has struggled in are losing their jobs,” Skeel said. Greencastle, Ind., in 1909, few could percentages less than some of the To entice those who are laid off to stick have imagined the upheavals that other beat-specific journalism around, SPJ created a special incentive: A now roil the profession. organizations, he said, given its six-month dues waiver when it comes time But as it celebrates its 100th broad-based mission, which to renew the $72 annual membership, said anniversary, the nation’s oldest includes defense of a free press, Aeikens. There is also a members-only free- journalism organization, founded as fighting for access to public lancer directory, and Skeel said SPJ is Sigma Delta Chi, can credit its Joe Skeel records, promoting ethics and actively looking to add “tools that free- survival to its ability so far to keep pace. high standards among those who practice lancers need to run their business,” Although SPJ, which became a journalism and encouraging diversity. possibly including libel insurance. professional organization in 1916, weathered SPJ’s biggest accomplishments in recent a rough patch a decade ago, the next few A New Slogan years have been an aggressive push to add years may prove far trickier. In April its board approved a new professional development programs for Membership has fallen in the past year as branding slogan, “Fighting for your right to journalists and its ongoing lobbying for a the ranks of American journalists have been know, one story at a time,” to complement federal journalism shield law, Aeikens said. decimated by the fallout from economic crisis the ongoing “Improving and Protecting At a late June board meeting, SPJ’s and technological innovation. The Journalism.” directors set in motion the search for a new organization also finds itself temporarily The tough journalism climate has had permanent executive director to replace without a permanent executive director, after an effect but it is “not taking us down,” said Harper. The hope is to have the position the June death of Terry Harper, its much Dave Aeikens, a reporter at the St. Cloud filled by late October or early November, admired leader since 2002. (Minn.) Times and SPJ’s outgoing national Skeel said, with some progress to be president. “Now more than ever is when reported at the annual convention in Down 1,000 Members you need an organization like SPJ to Indianapolis Aug. 27-30. “It’s a difficult Now based in Indianapolis, SPJ had provide some comfort and stabilization and time but we’re moving forward,” Aeikens about 8,500 members as of mid-June, said fight on behalf of journalism,” he said. said. “We’re going to move with deliberate Joe Skeel, SPJ’s co-interim executive director Although SPJ believes it has more speed here.”

blog entry, written months two of which he was also SPJ's Harper ahead of time. The entry , battling the cancer. His which amusingly used survivors include his Leaves Laughs every possible cliché for wife, Lee Ann, and sons death before concluding, “I Dale and Jace. in His Wake have no idea what lies A 1986 graduate of beyond. I do know that if Oklahoma State Univer - He never worked as a professional love transcends the sity, Mr. Harper spent 19 journalist, but Terry Harper, the boundaries of life and years managing nonprofit executive director of the Society of space and time, I have associations. Professional Journalists and the Sigma amassed more than Terry Harper After a Viking-style Delta Chi Foundation, knew how to write enough to carry me safely funeral service at an laugh-out-loud prose that could also to my next destination.” Indiana lake and a “rip-roaring” party that bring a reader of his blog to tears. “For a guy who wasn’t a journalist, he honored Mr. Harper with karaoke and His many friends and colleagues got a was a terrific writer,” said Dave Aeikens, Maker’s Mark bourbon, his colleagues are last installment of his humor on June 2, SPJ’s national president. now working on a memorial to be the day he died from a brain tumor, when Harper, who was 45, had been SPJ’s announced at the August convention. his wife posthumously posted his farewell executive director for seven years, during —Elizabeth Jensen

8 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 9 Newsmakers

Coleen Marren is the new news director for owned WVEC-TV in Hampton/Norfolk, Va. Weather Channel CBS-owned duopoly KDKA-TV and Smith joins WVEC from Belo Corp.- WPCW-TV in Pittsburgh. owned stations KMSB-TV and KTTU-TV in Names Kelly Marren joins the stations from Hearst- Tucson, Ariz., where he was president and President-CEO Argyle’s Boston ABC affiliate WCVB-TV, general manager since June 2006. where she had been news director for From 1999 to 2005 he was the local eight years. sales manager for Belo’s WWL-TV in New Prior to her stint at WCVB, Marren was Orleans. a news director in Milwaukee and Hartford, Conn. She also worked at ABC- Louis Gump has been appointed VP of owned WLS-TV in Chicago. mobile for CNN. She replaces John Verrilli, who left Gump, who is based in Atlanta, was KDKA to become news director at the CBS- previously VP of mobile for The Weather owned WBZ-TV in Boston. Channel Interactive. He joined The Weather

Christian Farr is joining NBC-owned WMAQ-TV in Chicago as a general Michael J. Kelly assignment reporter and fill-in anchor. For the past three years, Farr has been a correspondent for “Chicago Tonight” on Michael J. Kelly has been named president that city’s public broadcasting station, and CEO of The Weather Channel Cos. WTTW-TV. Prior to that he was an anchor Kelly will be responsible for the and reporter for Fox-owned WTXF-TV in strategic direction and operations of Philadelphia. TWCC, which encompasses The Weather Farr joins the station Aug. 24. Channel, The Weather Channel Inter- Christian Farr Coleen Marren active, www.weather.com, The Weather Chris Carl and Steve Schwaid have joined Channel Mobile, Weather Services Inter- the board of directors of the Radio- Channel in 2001 and held a variety of roles national and Enterprise Electronics Corp. Television News Directors Association. there over the years, including director of Kelly, who was president of AOL Carl, who is news director for business development and director of Media Networks from 2004-07, was most Delmarva Broadcasting-owned WDEL-AM mobile products and services. recently an adviser to the Veronis Suhler in Wilmington, Del., will represent the Stevenson private equity fund. RTNDA members from Region 12. Patti McGettigan has been named news He began his media career in 1980 at Schwaid, who is news director for director for LIN TV-owned WISH-TV 8 in The Chicago Tribune. In 1983 he joined Meredith-owned WGCL-TV in Atlanta, will Indianapolis. She previously was news Time Inc., where during a 17-year run he represent members from Region 13. director at LIN’s WOOD-TV in Grand rose to publisher of Entertainment Rapids, Mich. Weekly, which he helped found. Tod A. Smith has been promoted to McGettigan replaces Kevin Finch, who president and general manager of Belo- left WISH in June for a production job.

August 2009 | NewsPro | 9 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 10

Cover Story Twitter Makes Serious News The Outbreak of Unrest in Iran Cements Technology's Place in Journalism

By Daisy Whitney outlets scrambling for hard-to-get anchors and correspondents and allows information, according to Al Tompkins, the viewers to discuss the news of the day in In the modern news world, the idea that Poynter Institute’s group leader for real time via Twitter. It’s available on the respected news professionals at ABC’s broadcasting and online. “It is a useful tool ABC.com and at the digital channel “Nightline” are involved with a program that seems to find legitimate journalism ABCNews Now. with the unlikely name of “Twittercast” application,” he said. ABC said “Nightline” and its anchors seems perfectly normal. But it would have At times, Twitter, text messages and and correspondents now have more than 1 sounded absurd even just a year ago. amateur video—most notably one million Twitter followers. The “Twitter” in Twittercast, of course, capturing the shooting death of 26-year-old As part of its Michael Jackson memorial is the new Web-based text-broadcast bystander Neda Agha-Soltan—were the service coverage in early July, MTV ran live service that played such a pivotal role in only sources of news out of Iran, and video and Twitter streams on its Web site, getting news out of Iran during the early Twitter quickly became an important and let people comment on what they were days of protest following that country’s con - communications channel for people on watching via a Facebook widget. CNN had a troversial presidential elections. More and the ground to get the word out about similar partnership with Facebook during more, it is becoming a key technology for what was happening with the election the presidential inauguration early this year. TV and print news operations to keep in and subsequent protests. MSNBC.com also provided live video and touch both with their audience and with ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Twitter streams of the Jackson memorial, fast-breaking news. Jim Sciutto and Dubai-based reporter Lara running a widget with all tweets that Setrakian relied heavily on Twitter contained Twitter tags for the event or the Emergency Tweets messages originating on the protest front to network, which helped drive traffic to the As technology has evolved from e-mail build their Iran coverage, according to ABC site. MSNBC.com reported that 7 million to cell phone video to 140-character News Senior VP Jeffrey Schneider. In unique visitors watched 3 million live “tweets,” news organizations have addition, Sciutto tweeted his own reports streams of the memorial service, logging increasingly incorporated user-generated throughout the day. more than 82 million page views by the end content into their day-to-day operations. of the day. Twitter in particular made major inroads as World's First 'Twittercast' Local stations are also tapping into the a news tool in January when a US Airways ABC is also using the service for Twitter-sphere. flight was forced to make an emergency “Nightline”—which has teamed up with ABC-owned KGO-TV in San Francisco landing in the Hudson River shortly after Twitter on several occasions to cover major uses Twitter to monitor news events, takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia airport. events, including President Obama’s press promote stories and interact with viewers. It was the Iran election protests in mid- conferences—and presents an online “We’ve had tremendous success using to late June, however, that proved the broadcast Mondays at noon that in- Twitter to reach new audiences and to clincher to Twitter’s usefulness as a corporates Twitter technology. better monitor local and national breaking journalistic resource, suddenly taking on “a The half-hour “Twittercast,” as it is news events,” said Jennifer Mitchell, temporary air of indispensability” for news being called, is hosted by “Nightline” director of Web operations for the station.

10 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 11

“Twitter is most often the first place people As far as vetting news tips it receives find out about big stories these days.” from the public, Thilmony said, “We have a KGO is also reaching out to viewers solid relationship with many of our 1,450 through the service. In early July, KGO [Twitter] followers,” adding that because of posted a tweet asking if viewers’ iPhones the relatively small size of the market, the get hot when running certain apps. Viewer staff actually knows many of the city’s feedback was incorporated into the final residents. “We only re-tweet people we story, Mitchell said. trust,” she said, because information—and During the popular San Francisco Bay misinformation—“can go viral very quickly.” to Breakers race in May the station covered It is a concern echoed by the Poynter the event online, with anchors reading live Institute’s Tompkins. “I do worry that tweets from runners and spectators, some faster distribution of tiny torrents of info of whom also called in to do live phone-ins do not ensure accuracy or context or with the anchors. authenticity,” he said. “It’s important to recognize that Twitter is Print Endeavor an evolution, not a revolution,” said Tom Newspapers are adopting the technology Rosenstiel, director of the Pew Research as well. According to Meg Thilmony, a Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. member of the two-member Innovation “In Iran, for instance, we have seen similar Team at the News-Gazette in Champaign, Ill., use of other new technology before,” he the 157-year-old newspaper originally set out added, noting that the then-new to use Twitter as a way to improve news technology of amateur video cameras and gathering by facilitating communication VCRs were used to record and disseminate between reporters, but it quickly became scenes of political unrest as far back as the something much more. country’s 1979 revolution. “For 150 years, newspapers have pushed out information to people without Authenticity Jeopardized any feedback, except letters to the editor,” According to Rosenstiel, a danger Thilmony said, adding that Twitter now Twitter faces is losing its authenticity as it gives readers a voice. “It’s important to grows larger, and messages intended to sell know what matters to the community,” she join messages intended to inform. said “Corporatization will change its meaning,” The 40,000-circulation News-Gazette he said. “It becomes a marketing device sends out news alerts as well as tweets instead of citizen-to-citizen communication. linking to its news stories and to other It may already be at that point.” official sources of information, such as the Is Twitter in the newsroom to stay? city of Champaign’s blog. Thilmony has “The concept of pushing information written an extensive primer for into the stream is, but years from now will professionals on the use of Twitter at we remember we used to call it ‘Twitter’? I www.notrain-nogain.org, the No Train, No don’t know,” Rosenstiel concluded, adding, Gain Web site for newspaper journalists. “Blogs used to be called ‘me-zines.’ ”

ON THE GROUND Citizen journalists reported much of the Iran protests. PHOTOGRAPH BY CORBIS

August 2009 | NewsPro | 11 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 12

Special Report

Bridging the Job Gap With Its ‘Reinvention Convention,’ NABJ Is Seeking to Help Members Forge a Path to Future Employment

By Allison J. Waldman “Obviously, the economy is having a Self-starters and freelancers will also major impact on our members,” Ciara said. be served by NABJ events. “This year, we In these difficult economic times, as “We are offering them an opportunity to have a variety of sessions that focus on newspapers continue to shutter, TV actually upgrade their résumés through entrepreneurship, leadership and business advertising sales lag and newsrooms attending the NABJ convention.” skills in the field of communications,” demand more from ever-smaller staffs, this The education and training sessions Ciara said. year’s National Association of Black offered at the event include workshops— “Broadcast journalists, especially, are Journalists’ convention and career fair some 90-minutes, some half-days and some seeing a new day as the talent pool expands could prove one of the most important to daylong—and panel discussions on topics and requires them to know all things date to its members. including making transitions to public broadcast, all things online and expand relations, communications, free-lancing and their skill set,” Ciara said. “NABJ is Addressing the Problem starting your own business. reaching out to give them the new According to Barbara Ciara, president of The goal, Ciara said, is for members to multimedia skills that will allow them to the 33-year-old NABJ, the mandate for this go back to their workplaces able to say they retain their current job or be more year’s conference, dubbed “The Reinvention developed a new skill. “We expect that all competitive in the marketplace.” Convention” and being held Aug. 5-9 in attendees to this year’s convention will leave The NABJ—the largest organization of Tampa, Fla., is to be of more service than with some digital journalism experience journalists of color in the nation, with more ever to the rank and file. under their belt,” she said. than 4,100 members—provides training,

12 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 13

TAMPA TIMES Florida's west coast is host to this year's NABJ convention.

career development and support to black of the highlights and has attracted Member health is also a concern of the journalists worldwide. It was recently members for decades,” Ciara said. “Top organization, which is devoting a special awarded a $150,000 grant by the New York- companies in broadcast, communications, section of the convention floor to Healthy based Ford Foundation, which will go to digital media and print come out year after NABJ, offering morning exercise programs directly aid its unemployed members, Ciara year because they realize that NABJ and discussions about healthy living habits. said. conventions attract the best and the “Thanks to [the grant] we have even brightest, and the career training offered at NABJ Honorees been able to offer professional scholarships the convention is always ahead of the In addition to education and training to members who have recently been laid off curve.” sessions, leading black journalists will be so they might attend the convention and honored at the convention, with a particular take part in this training,” she said. Networking Opportunity emphasis on the sports beat. Whether looking for work—or fearful There’s something for more seasoned Michael Wilbon, longtime Washington they soon might be—journalists attending journalists as well, Ciara added. “Mid-career Post sports columnist and co-host of NABJ also stand to benefit from the professionals know that our convention ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption,” will gathering’s career fair. draws politicians, athletes, artists and receive the NABJ’s Lifetime Achievement The fair, at which dozens of companies entertainers, authors and entrepreneurs, Award this year. set up booths in the exhibit hall to meet and it is a widely known networking “Michael is the epitome of the crossover

association members, “has always been one opportunity.” journalist in a time when the industry is PHOTOGRAPH BY FOTOSEARCH

August 2009 | NewsPro | 13 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 14

Special Report

evolving rapidly and journalists have to have a broad range of skills,” Ciara said. “He is one of far too few black columnists in the Economy’s Cuts Felt United States. [He] connects with sports fans and players like none other while capturing the enduring, challenging and inspiring Deeply by Minorities moments of the game.” Black and Other Journalists of Color Whiteside Recognized Another sports journalism figure who Particularly Impacted by Loss of Jobs will be recognized is Larry Whiteside, pioneering sports writer for the Boston Globe, who will be posthumously inducted By Allison J. Waldman found that 13.5 percent of black into the NABJ Hall of Fame during the newspaper journalists lost their jobs in Tampa conference. The main objective of the 2009 National 2008. “Larry was the first black baseball beat Association of Black Journalists “The ASNE 2008 newsroom census writer, and he broke new ground by conference, being held this month in confirmed what many in journalism following the sport internationally,” Ciara Tampa, Fla., is to help members reinvent already knew to be true on an anecdotal said. themselves professionally, either by level: Journalists of color are leaving the In addition, the NABJ Legacy Award will expanding their skills to industry in disproportionate go to the Sports Journalism Institute, encompass new forms of numbers, whether because of founded by Leon Carter, sports editor at the media or guiding them layoffs, buyouts or re signa - New York Daily News, and ESPN news onto other career paths. tions,” said Angie Chuang, editor Sandy Rosenbush, a former editor for assistant professor at the Sports Illustrated and The New York Times. Particularly Vulnerable American University School of SJI is a program for minority college Widespread unemploy - Communication in Washing - students interested in sports journalism ment, little or no job ton, D.C. careers and works in conjunction with the security and the need to “There was an Poynter Institute to provide a training week, evolve to keep up with a over all 11.3 percent followed by paid eight-week internships at rapidly transforming pro - decrease in newsroom Deborah newspapers around the country. It has fession are challenges Potter employment, but for trained more than 250 student journalists, currently faced by all black journalists that Ciara said. journalists. But some was 13.5 percent, and Michele Norris of National Public observers con tend that for Asians that was Radio’s “All Things Considered” is receiving journalists of color have 13.4 percent. The the NABJ Journalist of the Year Award. been more vulnerable percentage of min - “She is being recognized for her than others in this orities in sup ervisory Angie outstanding investigative work throughout troubled economic en - Chuang positions went down the year, but especially during the run-up vironment. as well, from 11.4 to to the election,” Ciara said. “Michele According to Hub 11.2 percent, which pitched and carried out a discussion series Brown, chair of the com- seemed significant given that on race in York, Pa., that struck a chord munications de part ment recruitment and retention efforts with many Americans, demonstrating that and professor of broad - for managers of color had been strong investigative journalism will never cast journalism at the Hub growing that number in past go out of style.” S.I. Newhouse School of Brown years,” she said. Cynthia Gordy, 27, the first White House Public Commun ications “It may be a first-hired, last- correspondent for Essence magazine, will be in Syracuse, N.Y., journalists of color make fired layoff policy—or that younger honored with the NABJ’s Emerging up a much smaller share of newsroom journalists may feel more free to start Journalist Award, illustrative of the “high populations than they do of the population importance of political coverage in the Age of the country as a whole. “The economic of Obama,” Ciara said. “She is already “The organization Unity: Journalists of making a name for herself in digital and Color has noted the decline in employment downturn will in print media.” among minorities in journalism, and the short term according to them and others, that decline result in newsrooms is steeper than it is for non-minorities in NABJ 2009 the business,” he said, adding, “The that look less like economic downturn is rolling back the country than What: The National Association of Black progress already made, and will in the Journalists 2009 Annual Convention and short term result in newsrooms that look they do now.” Career Fair less like the country than they do now.” -Hub Brown S.I. Newhouse School Where: Tampa (Fla.) Convention Center Corroborating Unity’s assertion is a When: Aug. 5-9 report released early this year by the second careers,” said Chuang. “But since Details: nabj.org American Society of News Editors that many buyouts target older journalists,

14 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 15

there may be a counterbalancing effect. their largest salaries in order to save that diversity doesn’t matter, Potter noted. According to Deborah Potter, a veteran money, and those typically go to longtime, “Diversity doesn’t just have to do with journalism trainer, reporter and writer, on-air people.” the face behind the camera or somewhere who has been executive director of in the newsroom. It has to do with the NewsLab, a nonprofit journalism resource Possible Opportunities kinds of stories that you’re going to in Washington, D.C., since 1998, it’s Hiring younger, less experienced—and report,” Potter said. members of the upper echelon, whatever less expensive—talent may well be the “By the way, diversity is a pretty big their color, who have taken the brunt of trend for the foreseeable future. And with umbrella. It encompasses not just racial the economic crisis in journalism, not that, Potter believes, could come more and gender and sexual orientation, but necessarily most recently hired—the latter opportunities for journalists of color. income and background and all kinds of category one that often includes minority “It’s entirely possible that there are things,” she added. “The more diverse journalists, many of whom are among a opportunities out there. In fact there were your newsroom, no matter where people news organization’s younger staffers. some data that I think came out recently are physically located, the better the “Certainly the high-profile departures from the newspaper industry talking we’ve seen wouldn’t necessarily indicate about journalism students being able to “Diversity doesn’t that people who came in last are going out get jobs in their field—journalism—which, first,” Potter said. frankly, was a surprise since everything just have to do with “I don’t want to sound like a Pollyana, we’ve read is that newsrooms are the face ... in the because I know it’s tough out there shrinking,” Potter said. “A former newsroom. It has economically—it’s especially tough if you’re colleague of mine talks about a forest fire someone whose job is in jeopardy—but in burning through the newsroom and to do with the kinds the long term, if newsrooms survive, they getting rid of a lot of old, dead wood. Any of stories that may well be hiring younger, less expensive time that happens, young sprouts spring you’re going to people to do some of the work,” she said. up.” Potter said that’s particularly the case Those new faces, fortunately, will report.”-Deborah Potter NewsLab at TV stations. “People who have been continue to reflect the diversity in there a long time are getting axed, not American media. And just because there reporting. I don’t think [online journalism] necessarily last-hired, first-fired,” Potter are now virtual newsrooms where in any way downgrades the need for said. “A lot of stations have decided to shed reporters don’t interact, does not mean diversity.”

!-%2)#!.,%'!#9/2's"%#/-%!.%8/2's-9,%'!#934/29/2's4(%4254(#/-

August 2009 | NewsPro | 15 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 16

Special Report A New Perspective on D.C. Roland Martin Brings Diversity to TV One’s ‘Washington Watch’

By Allison J. Waldman already diligently at work on the show. More than 90 percent of TV One’s “We’re devising the format, but I will be the audience is African-American adults. Roland S. Martin speaks eloquently and in host and there will be a panel of journalists “Washington Watch” will be targeted to that bold statements. When he says that he has and analysts,” he said. audience with “all the sort of nuance and a fresh perspective for the 21st century, he April Ryan, White House correspondent flavor that that involves,” Rodgers added. means it. for the American Urban Radio Networks, “In the same way that we were able [to] In addition to currently running for the and Robert Traynham, Philadelphia at the Democratic National Convention in post as secretary of the National Association Tribune columnist and Comcast host, will Denver and on election night in Chicago, of Black Journalists, the multifaceted be regular panel members. our overlay is to bring that news from an journalist is also preparing to host a new African-American perspective,” he said. Sunday morning public affairs program for A New Landscape Martin’s role on “Washington Watch” is TV One called “Washington Watch.” TV One CEO and President Johnathan a direct result of his work on the 2008 According to Martin, there is a sound Rodgers says the Sunday news program presidential election. “The African-American and important reason for launching a new landscape will shift dramatically when community really appreciated what he did Sunday political talk show—diversity. “Washington Watch” debuts on the network as a CNN correspondent throughout the “Every Friday we read the listings of who are Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. campaign,” Rodgers said. “They felt that booked for the Sunday shows and it is “This show exists on TV One, which is they could count on him for not only essentially television apartheid,” he said. “It primarily an entertainment network, as a intelligence but courage, because he is pathetic and atrocious when you watch way to keep our viewers in touch with wouldn’t let other pundits get away with and see virtually no people of color speaking what’s going on in Washington with events just making up stuff. So he is a hero in our of the issues of the day. Not just elected that really have a daily effect on their lives, community. He’s contemporary, he’s officials, but policy makers.” but in addition to that, it will both knowledgeable, he’s experienced and he’s Martin, who is also a CNN chronicle and celebrate and critically broad-based.” As for the show’s guests, “We commentator as well as a radio analyst on observe the presidency of Barack Obama,” want to bring on people who are involved in “The Tom Joyner Morning Show,” is Rodgers said. issues. There will be members of the

TWO TO WATCH TV One CEO Johnathan Rodgers, left, and Roland Martin at the Trumpet Awards in January.

16 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 17

Congressional Black Caucus, other members of Congress—the House and the Senate—as well as administration officials,” Martin said.

Audience Interactivity In addition to voices from inside the beltway, “Washington Watch” is going to include the involvement of real people outside D.C. “We’re going to have interactivity. We’re going to take various video comments and reports from our audience, utilizing email, utilizing Skype,” Martin said. “We want to hear from regular people. I don’t believe in talking down to the rest of the country.” The show will be broadcast from Washington, D.C., but Martin is determined to interview people who have not been regulars on the other Sunday morning political shows and draw viewers over to TV One. “I just don’t believe that people should only look to ‘Meet the Press,’ ‘Face the Nation’ and ‘This Week’ and the show on Fox to know what people are saying and thinking all around this country,” Martin said. “There are any number of people who travel to Washington every week who testify before Congress, who meet with lawmakers, who are lobbying for various issues, people who are coming from different parts of the country. We’ll be able to have those people on our show.” There will also be familiar African American celebrities on the program. “Many African-American entertainers and athletes “[Roland Martin] is a hero in our community. He’s contemporary, he’s knowledgeable, he’s experienced and he’s broad-based.” -Johnathan Rodgers, TV One

are very involved in public policy,” Martin said. “Actress Gabrielle Union has talked openly about being raped, and has testified before Congress when it came to funding for inner city rape crisis centers. You had former NBA player Alonzo Mourning talking about the need for additional funding to target youth anti-violence efforts. These folks have a voice. I just don’t believe the only people who care about public policy are Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Look at what Don Cheadle is [continued on page 21]

August 2009 | NewsPro | 17 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 18

Special Report HIGH ACHIEVER Michael Wilbon has been a columnist since 1990.

Wilbon Sporting a New Honor NABJ’s Busy Lifetime Achievement Honoree Pauses to Reflect

Michael Wilbon, longtime Washington height, it wasn’t more than 30. In terms of NewsPro: But what about the many Post sports columnist and co-host of black columnists, we’ve always been journalists who are now required to blog in ESPN’s popular daily sports talk show underrepresented. As the people who set addition to reporting in the newspaper or “Pardon the Interruption,” will be the agenda and are discussion leaders, publication? honored with the National Association of those numbers have never been what they Wilbon: I don’t consider those blogs. I know Black Journalists Lifetime Achievement should have been. they’re entitled blogs, but I don’t consider Award on Aug. 8 at the organization’s what the Orlando Sentinel beat writer is annual convention in Tampa, Fla. NewsPro: Did the fact that ESPN hired so doing online to be blogging. I read good many black journalists, like you and John writing by good reporters who are doing Wilbon recently spoke with NewsPro Saunders and Stuart Scott and Stephen A. whatever you want to call it whether it’s correspondent Allison J. Waldman about Smith, change the atmosphere and have a online or in print. There are some things the upcoming NABJ gathering, his positive impact? that are labeled blogs that are just damn prestigious honor and the current climate Wilbon: Yes, yes. David Aldredge was good reporting. I get them and I read them. for a reporter and TV personality in the another one. Newspapers opted for diversity ever-changing, economically strained reluctantly. They didn’t take seriously the NewsPro: On ‘Pardon the Interruption’ you broadcast and media environment. responsibility. I was fortunate to work for an and Tony Kornheiser have cultivated this editor at the Washington Post who always Siskel & Ebert rapport. Are you surprised NewsPro: What’s your reaction to receiving hired an incredibly diverse staff long before that this has worked? the NABJ Lifetime Achievement Award? other people were doing it. ESPN, for Wilbon: I was. We both were shocked. We Michael Wilbon: Damn, I’m old! Seriously, whatever reason, had David doing knew that we knew content. I’m not going I’m very pleased and humbled by it. I’m not basketball and Ralph Wiley on Page Two of to be falsely modest about that. We’re good normally introspective or reflective, but the dot-com and me. It was really good to at what we do because we know how to [something like] this makes you think about see on the TV side. Newspapers were slow present our case because we’ve had to things, and I’m very grateful to NABJ that to recognize that point of view. And present it in print. We had a good idea of they think I’m worthy of this award. It never remember, at that time, there were how to do that. Of course, it didn’t mean crossed my mind that I would receive it, hundreds of daily newspapers. people would care. particularly since I’m only 50 years old. NewsPro: Do you think that blogging and the NewsPro: You seem to still have a passion NewsPro: I was surprised to read that you Internet might be opening doors for black for sports, am I right? are one of only 20 African-American sports journalists because is it color-blind? Wilbon: I love the games. Reality TV tries to columnists working now. Wilbon: I don’t know much about it re-create the drama of sports, but sports is Wilbon: I remember when I was one of only because I’m not big on blogging. Whatever the only thing that has it. It’s the human three! I became a columnist in 1990, and I you call a blog, it’s really a column. But I drama of athletic competition. You can’t know that number had swelled at one point, don’t want to read the ranting of somebody vote on the outcome. It’s real. All that other but then a lot of people have gotten out. The that I know doesn’t have access to people stuff is phony. numbers are down, but I think even at the to talk to them and do reporting. [continued on page 21]

18 | Newspro | August 2009 09np0011.qxp 7/20/09 11:00 AM Page 1

09np0011.pdf RunDate: 07/ 27 /09 Full Page Color: 4/C np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 20

Special Report

9 a.m.-11 a.m. Opening 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Professional 9 p.m.-11 p.m. NABJ Film Festival 2009 Ceremony & Newsmaker Plenary Development Breakfast II NABJ Convention 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Tampa 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Authors Showcase 8 a.m.-9 a.m. NABJ Business Chapter Party and & Bookstore Meeting Career Fair Saturday, Aug. 8 Schedule 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Cyber Cafe 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. 5K Walk/Run Associate Members Meeting Wednesday, Aug. 5 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Plenary 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Registration 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Registration 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Regional Session Caucus 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Cyber Cafe 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibit Hall 9 a.m.-12 p.m. NABJ Short Set-up 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Student Course 8 a.m.-3 p.m. NABJ Family Day Members Meeting (3-on-3 basketball, Golf, etc 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Chapter Day 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Career Fair & pending) Chapter Leadership Programming 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Workshop Exhibition Session A 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Career Fair & 9 a.m.-5 p.m. NABJ Learning Labs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. NABJ Authors Exhibition 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Workshop Showcase & Bookstore 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Welcome Session B 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Visual Task Force Reception 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Hall of Fame Photo Auction 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Candidates Banquet & Inductions (ticketed Thursday, Aug. 6 Forum event) 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Sports Task Force 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. NABJ Plenary Morning WorkOut 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Media 1 p.m.-4 p.m. NABJ Short Course Receptions 3 p.m.-4 p.m. NABJ Task Force 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Workshop Meetings 8 p.m.-10 p.m. NABJ Presents Session C 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Professional 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Salute to Development Breakfast I 10 p.m.-12 a.m. President’s 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Workshop Excellence Awards Gala Reception (invitation only) Session D (ticketed event) 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Career Fair & Exhibition 11 p.m.-4 a.m. Sports Task 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Sam Lacy 11 p.m.-2 a.m. San Diego 2010 Force JAM Pioneer Awards Ceremony Kickoff 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Cyber Cafe Friday, Aug. 7 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Media Sunday, Aug. 9 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Moneta J. Sleet Jr. 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. NABJ Receptions 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tampa Vendors Photo and Page Design Morning Workout Showcase Competition 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. VTF Awards 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration Ceremony 9 a.m.-12 p.m. NABJ Sunday Brunch (ticketed event)

MEDILL congratulates alumnus AAJA Shares Goal

Michael Wilbon (BSJ80) By Dinah Eng

The Asian American Journalists Association, one of NABJ’s partners in the Unity: Journalists of Color strategic alliance, will also be exploring ways to reinvent the business of journalism and helping members make new career choices at its national convention, scheduled for Aug. 12-15 in Boston. Program committee co-chairs Paul Cheung, deputy multimedia presentation editor for The Miami Herald, and Frank Witsil, copy editor for the Detroit Free Press, have designed for the gathering more than 30 sessions on multimedia skills, dealing with industry changes, work-life balance and financial planning. “A lot of it is future-oriented,” Cheung says. “In terms of management, we have a workshop on how to manage big stories and deploy coverage across departments, as well as a session on how to run an innovative newsroom with fewer resources.” on his NABJ Lifetime Convention highlights include a plenary session on the risks of reporting abroad, remarks by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Achievement Award at the opening reception, and a keynote address by John Yang, NBC News White House correspondent, at the Gala Scholarship and Undergraduate Journalism Awards Banquet. Graduate Journalism George Kiriyama, AAJA vice president for broadcast and a news Integrated Marketing Communications reporter for KNTV-TV, the NBC affiliate in the San Francisco Bay Master’s Degree for Experienced Professionals area, says industry changes have blurred the lines between different media platforms, so this year’s convention, like that of the NABJ, will focus on skill sets everyone needs. MEDILL An estimated 500 attendees—an all-time low—are expected at www.medill.northwestern.edu the gathering. Past attendance figures ranged from 900 to 1,200.

20 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 21

TV One [continued from page 16] Wilbon [continued from page 18]

doing. We want to provide an avenue to NewsPro: What are you looking forward to have their voices broadcast to the rest of at the NABJ conference this year? the country.” Wilbon: In the first 15 years that I attended the NABJ conference I would try Energy and Passion to go to all the stuff. Now, it’s more of a WINNING TEAM Being an African-American broadcaster social thing for me. I’m not looking for a Wilbon, right, with in the era of President Obama suits Martin’s job. When you’re young, you go to impress ESPN co-host Tony Kornheiser energetic style and passion. “I can’t tell you editors or producers who might look at how many places I’ve gone to around the your work, and you are trying to set up the country where I’ve talked to people who next thing. Now I go to see my friends and mentoring program; what kind of advice do shine shoes, work in convenience stores, have a good time. you give your mentees? bicycle messengers, lawyers and doctors Wilbon: I always talk about storytelling in and nurses and teachers, you name it … NewsPro: Do you think the convention will whatever form it might take. Reporting has people who were just captivated by Obama’s be affected by the tough economic times for to be about the art of storytelling because election,” Martin said. journalists, in general? it really can’t be about the specific medium. “Now the question is ‘what’s next?’ I think Wilbon: That’s a very real possibility. I may I don’t know how to shoot my own video for we need to be able to answer that ‘what’s not see as many people as I usually do. a story. I’m not going to learn how to do next.’ What is the black agenda moving [Conversely,] more people may now be that, but today’s reporters have to. They forward? How do we hold this Congress and coming to look for a job. The convention have to be trained and educated and their this administration accountable to the issues may be packed because people need work. education is very different from ours. So I that we care about,” Martin said. “That’s They need to set up employment even if tell them, you have to do whatever’s really what this show is going to speak to. … they are currently employed because we necessary to facilitate the art of storytelling I hope we’re able to galvanize people and don’t know how long what we’re doing will to your audience, for your generation, for move them to action. It’s one thing to sit and last. The NABJ could be more important your readers and the times we’re in, and talk, but I believe we have to challenge now than ever. that’s changing. The craft of storytelling is people. People can’t just sit back and watch not going to go away even if newspapers things happen.” NewsPro: You’ve been involved in the NABJ seem to be going away.

August 2009 | NewsPro | 21 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 22

REFECTIONS ON

TOM SHALES CRONKITE Behind the Icon Was an Old-School Charmer Who Was Known to Party

ews that Walter Cronkite’s health was failing, and that his death seemed impertinently imminent, spread through the nation’s Nnewsrooms many weeks before the venerable and venerated newsman actually died. When he did, many tributes had already been written and stored for future use. He would have understood. That’s the way “the business” works. When “Meet the Press” anchor Tim Russert died, the ceremonial mourning seemed to go on for weeks—it really got to be a bit much—though there certainly can’t have been many obits and appreciations written in advance. Even now the old school.” It seems now like the old school He brought honor to it and helped keep it anniversaries of Russert’s passing are noted closed down long before Cronkite left. The honest, or as honest as humanly possible. with studied solemnity by such surviving great graduates of that school, the men who It’s a famous story: how David Brinkley, colleagues as Brian Williams of NBC News. invented broadcast journalism and TV news, covering a political convention, recoiled in You’d think Russert was the equal of have largely departed. disgust when delegates rushed up and Edward R. Murrow. He wasn’t. asked him for his autograph. He didn’t want Russert’s career in broadcast journalism Establishing Traditions to be a star, he wanted to be a journalist. was a mere peep compared to Cronkite’s Not enough attention was paid to them Cronkite was less appalled by the fatherly or long run. But Russert died at the age of 58, while they lived, so it’s hardly a shock that grandfatherly or avuncular role he was and Cronkite at 92. Cruel as it sounds, too little was paid when they died—Murrow called upon to play. He just sort of grew into people expect you to die when you get to be and Friendly, Brinkley and Huntley (and the it, and before he knew it, someone had hung 92. Russert’s death, meanwhile, reminded a man who made them stars, the brilliant and that “most trusted man in America” motto generation of baby boomers that they were irascible Reuven Frank), Roone Arledge around his neck. It did seem to fit; he looked mortal—a thought that apparently hadn’t (relatively young for the group), Eric and sounded trustworthy, and his sing-song occurred to some of them, at least not so Sevareid, Bill Small and Dick Salant and delivery had the soothing effect of a vividly—and they reeled in sorrow and other past presidents of CBS News, and the dinnertime lullabye. The world could be panic. leaders of the other network news divisions splitting asunder but Walter Cronkite’s mere For those of Cronkite’s generation, as well. These were the people who built a presence made it clear that things would be however, the ultimate reality had been faced new kind of journalism and who established all right. before, and they’d come to terms with it. most of the traditions that came with it— They were the grown-ups. traditions that now may seem as quaint as Loosening Up One of the sad things about Cronkite’s the “Declaration of Principles” that Charles Cronkite’s devotion to journalism didn’t passing was immutable: So many of his Foster Kane wrote for the front page of his make him a fuddy-duddy. He crossed over colleagues and contemporaries had first newspaper in “Citizen Kane.” the line into the entertainment world more preceded him in death that few were left to They are legion now, and legend. They than once—the celebrated guest appearance give him a proper memorial or to speak of came home from World War II and helped on “Mary Tyler Moore,” the annual gig as him as a personal friend—something of a build the better, nobler part of what Eric host of “The Kennedy Center Honors” and a party boy, in fact, as well as a charmer, and Barnouw christened “the image empire.” memorable edition of his short-lived series a gentleman of what used to be called “the Walter Cronkite played proudly on that team. “Universe” in which he donned top hat and

22 | Newspro | August 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 23

tails and tap-danced to illustrate some point about gravity. It was gravitas, not gravity, that he brought to the evening news—no matter how many little show-biz gigs he performed—and his very reliability helped ritualize it into something integral to our national life, something that seemed indispensable but which time, in its cruelty, subsequently dispensed with. Dan Rather was a first-class reporter and anchor, but he never became quite the icon (oh inescapable word) that Cronkite did. And now that icons are a dime a dozen, and now that the term is applied to everything from a wedding dress to an Oreo cookie, there probably won’t be any more real icons, nationally unifying icons, anyway, except for those elected to national office.

Here's to Walter Cronkite also belonged to a generation that liked to tipple. They didn’t smoke pot; they drank 25-year-old Scotch, or older. There are many stories about Cronkite’s fondness and capacity for recreational imbibing. One sort of involves me; a New York party was being planned for my first book, a collection of columns and reviews that turned out to be an ignominious flop. But everybody at the publishing house was thrilled when Walter Cronkite himself RSVP’d “yes” to the book party. And the instant he did, the liquid menu was upgraded from beer and wine to the hard stuff, because you didn’t serve Pinot Noir to Walter Cronkite. Another time, either earlier or later, Cronkite was involved in some kind of CBS press event on an island off San Francisco. During the boat ride back, the party hosts did the unthinkable; they ran out of booze. Walter Cronkite knew what to do; he simply ambled down to the engine room, played his celebrity card, and bargained some of the sailor boys into giving up a few bottles of liquor. The party wasn’t over until Cronkite said it was. The party’s over now.

Tom Shales is a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and columnist for the Washington Post. CBS PHOTO ARCHIVE

August 2009 | NewsPro | 23 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 24

Success Story

VIDEO ASSIST NY1 News promoted stories on its Web site with an award- winning campaign.

‘Oh yeah, it looks like the Web site,’” she NY1 Wins by Adding said. The goal was to capture the essence of the new site’s functionality, ease of use and generous amount of video. “We wanted a spot that people would News Stories Online watch again and again, finding cool and interesting things every time they viewed it,” BY DAISY WHITNEY Warner Cable-owned regional news she explained. “We met our objective by f recent news events have taught us channels. “Once it was completed, we creating a fast-moving spot with a color anything, it’s that viewers absolutely wanted to attract new users and entice a scheme that matched our on-air and online Iexpect stories to run on-air and on the return of anyone who may have tried our look. Hard-hitting music drove our message Web at the same time. old site and gone away, since our old site home.” That’s why when NY1 News gave its Web was very outdated and had limited video site a much-needed makeover late last year, content.” Most Stories Streamed the 24-hour Time Warner Cable-owned That’s where New York-based design, In the spot, animated tabs containing channel stuffed the site with lots of videos animation and strategy shop CA Square video clips fly by, looking like stylized files and launched some serious promotion. came in. It created a promo for the new site rather than Web site screen shots. The that won two Gold Promax awards, one for voiceover emphasizes that NY1.com now Making Online Count on-air promotion for a Web site and one for contains streaming video for nearly all The news network’s Web face-lift and design, as well as a bronze BDA for art stories every day. “We needed to show we subsequent promotional campaign, which direction and design for a topical promo. had a lot more video,” Obermeier said. won a number of design and marketing “We wanted to make it look and feel The spots, which started in November, awards at June’s Promax|BDA conference, current, and we wanted people who have were effective. Beforehand, the site was can serve as a useful template for other not sampled it to go to it and have them be averaging about 2.3 million visitors per news outlets upping the video ante online. pleasantly surprised,” said Obermeier, who month. Early this year that number had Now, 90 percent to 95 percent of the declined to discuss the budget for the reached 3.1 million. In the months following stories NY1 telecasts run online, an promotion. the campaign, the site saw as much as a 34 increase of 30 percent. That includes news The key? To not make the promo look percent increase in page views at times. updates, weather and video reports from like a Web site. At first blush, that may Obermeier said. around the city’s five boroughs. Touting that big bump was a key “We wanted people who have not sampled it objective in last fall’s NY1 promotional campaign for the relaunched site. In a bid to go to it and have them be pleasantly to win new viewers and inform existing surprised.” - Patricia Obermeier, NY1 News ones, NY1 ran cross-channel spots highlighting the additional online videos on seem a counterintuitive strategy to promote Time Warner is rolling out revamped the Time Warner system in New York. a Web site relaunch. But showing the site Web sites for its regional news channels in “NY1 was in desperate need of a Web site is a tired approach, Obermeier said. Syracuse, Rochester, Albany and Buffalo, upgrade,” said Patricia Obermeier, VP of “We explained to CA Square that we N.Y., and in Austin, Texas, using the NY1 creative services for NY1 News and the Time didn’t want something where people say, makeover as a guide.

24 | Newspro | August 2009 09np0009.qxp 7/17/09 3:04 PM Page 1 NewsPro PZ[OLUL^ZPUK\Z[Y`»Z SLHKPUNYLZV\YJLMVY PUK\Z[Y`UL^Z  )RU RYHU WHQ \HDUV QHZV SURIHVVLRQDOV ZRUNLQJ LQ HYHU\ VHJPHQW RI WKH LQGXVWU\ KDYH GHSHQGHG RQ 1HZV3UR IRU WKH XSWRWKHPLQXWH GHYHORSPHQWV DQG LQIRUPDWLRQ WKH\ QHHG WR KHOSWKHPVWD\RQWRSRIWKHLUEXVLQHVV  1HZV3UR SURYLGHV FRPSUHKHQVLYH FRYHUDJH RI WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQWQHZVLQDOODVSHFWVRIWKHQHZVLQGXVWU\{WHOHYLVLRQ SULQW UDGLR DQG RQOLQH 1HZV3UR FRQWLQXHV LWV OHDGHUVKLS LQ FRYHULQJ WHOHYLVLRQ QHWZRUN ORFDO DQG FDEOH QHZV HTXLSPHQW DQGWHFKQRORJ\  ,QDGGLWLRQ1HZV3URUHPDLQVWKHQXPEHURQHVRXUFHIRUWKHVH HVVHQWLDOVSHFLDOUHSRUWV  f 0RVW3RZHUIXOLQ7HOHYLVLRQ1HZV  f +HDOWKDQG0HGLFDO5HSRUWLQJ  f (QYLURQPHQWDO-RXUQDOLVP  f %XVLQHVV1HZV f 'LYHUVLW\LQWKH1HZVURRP  f 1HZV,QGXVWU\&RQYHQWLRQ&RYHUDJH  f -RXUQDOLVP$ZDUGV  f '&7DONHUV  1RRWKHUSULQWRURQOLQHUHVRXUFHJLYHVQHZVSURIHVVLRQDOVWKH VSHFLDOL]HG LQGHSWK FRYHUDJH WKDW 1HZV3UR GRHV{DQG LW SURYLGHV DGYHUWLVHUV ZLWK D SRZHUIXOO\ WDUJHWHG HQYLURQPHQW LQZKLFKWRFRPPXQLFDWHWKHLUPHVVDJHWRQHZVSURIHVVLRQDOV HYHU\ZKHUH 5HDFKWKHSHRSOHZKRUHDFKWKHQDWLRQ

CONTACT:1,--9,0:4(5 ‹QYLPZTHU'JYHPUJVT+(55@:*/9,0),9  ‹KZJOYLPILY'JYHPUJVT

09np0009.pdf RunDate: 08/ 03 /09 Full Page Color: 4/C np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 3:35 PM Page 26

Online In Pursuit of the Perfect Web Site NEWS STREAMS WorldNow provides BY HILLARY ATKIN video streaming for the New York Daily or television and radio stations and News site. newspapers across the country, ad- Fjunct Web sites are an essential tool in reaching their target audiences and extend- ing their brands across cyberspace. Creating the most relevant site can be a challenge, however, and maintaining its ef- fectiveness is a never-ending process. Whereas many broadcast sites were once used mainly for promotion of on-air content, today’s industry standard incorpo- rates mobile applications and social media, and the promotion is on-air for the Web site. So is there a road map for the creation and maintenance of a successful site? According to Ron Stitt, vice president of digital media for the 27-member Fox Televi- sion Stations group, “You need a plan to produce content of interest to the audience, then you need an infrastructure and a way to build in community and interactive tools. Then the goal is to figure out how to coordi- MULTIPLE CHOICE One key to a station’s nate that with what you’re doing on air.” Web site success is a high story count. Localization a Primary Factor For the Fox stations group, another key factor is localization, while elements like budgeting, core platform and key supplier decisions, broad strategy and sharing of in May 2007, currently has nearly 30,000 sure stations have a successful online best practices are coordinated centrally. profiles, as does Good Date LA, launched presence—and be able to generate “One of the things that defines our in January 2009 as part of MyFoxLA.com, revenue,” said Jill Hooper, vice president approach is really looking hard at each the Web site of KTTV-TV in Los Angeles. of marketing for IB, which has about 70 local marketplace and defining audience Several key vendors have emerged in broadcast sites as clients. niches that are underserved,” Stitt said. the marketplace for radio and television Internet Broadcasting Systems also The approach from a corporate stations and newspapers that want to farm functions as a content network for its standpoint is to encourage local stations to out creation of new media elements, clients. “We have an actual content come up with their own ideas, which have management and even ad sales. The management system to enable Web sites to resulted in additional digital properties like granddaddy of them all is Internet be dynamic, and a team of journalists and MyFoxHurricane.com, a resource for all Broadcasting Systems, known as IB, editors that push out national content that things hurricane-related, including satellite which was formed in 1996 at WCCO-TV in they can publish,” said Hooper. For views, storm tracks, storm-related links Minneapolis. WorldNow, founded 10 years coverage of the death of Michael Jackson, and live chats. Plus a group of free dating ago, also offers turnkey solutions as well she said, “We created a special section, sites that began in Phoenix has spread to as individualized platform, design and with video clips, slideshows, original six other markets. consulting services. content and material pulled in from AP My Dating Place, launched by KSAZ-TV “Our overriding philosophy is to make and CNN. We’ve gotten such great [user]

26 | Newspro | MonthAugust 2009 2009 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 3:36 PM Page 27

feedback. It allowed them to focus on local- analyze market position and key franchises shiny objects on the Web. If the content’s level news.” in a local newscast, like weather and not good nothing else matters.” WorldNow provides various technologies health,” Smith said. “When you go online, “It all comes down to the user to its clients based upon their needs. “We do they translate? We’re finding the experience,” Hooper said. “If you’re like to customize our relationships,” said stations taking time to analyze and producing a positive user experience in a Craig Smith, the New York-based document and site-plan with a style guide good way, the pieces all come together.” company’s executive vice president of distribution and ad sales. “For example, “Too many are going after shiny objects on with the New York Daily News, our relationship is just video-streaming tools. the Web. If the content's not good, nothing For WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, we work else matters.”-Craig Smith,World Now with site hosting, video, national sales relationships and national content. really are driving great success. Good As stations become multiplatform The majority of traffic is during the strategy can influence great design.” media companies, how do they translate business day, with peak hours in the Smith believes the greatest contributing brand advantage? “The idea of competing morning, at lunchtime, and at the end of factor to success is the number of stories with newspapers, and breaking news the workday. Research suggests that the that are published monthly. But for the faster, and being more trustworthy—even sense of personal connectedness that average station taking its content online, with a much smaller staff—that’s really a people feel to news anchors in their the story count is fairly low. “The compelling thing,” said Arul Sundaram, VP markets often makes station Web sites competition is newspapers that produce a of business strategy for IB. “You have an more popular than those of newspapers lot of content,” he said. “The average advantage. How do you leverage it and and radio stations. station does less than 400 stories a month, continue to establish that connection, “A lot of folks build Web sites and measured against traffic and page views. whether on-air, online or over the phone? publish content, but very few are taking the They should start aiming for 900 to 1,000 How do you maintain it? I don’t think time to go to individual stations and stories a month. Too many are going after anyone’s necessarily cracked it.” K

Your online source for the most important industry news.

Sign up for your free subscription at www.tvweek.com/newsletters

AugustMonth 2009 2009 | NewsPro | 27 np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 28

Technology Letting the Public Tell the Story King said. “The reason iReport worked is ON THE SCENE that it invites people in the middle to share CNN's iReport enables viewers to submit what they are seeing.” news footage. News organizations nevertheless must be cautious about user-generated video. When CNN vets iReports submissions, producers correspond with the person who submitted the footage, check whether the material may have been doctored, and cross-check with resources on the ground. During the Iran election coverage, CNN had received 5,879 user submissions by June 19, only 220 of which were ultimately approved for use on air, CNN said. News operations are also increasingly sharing viewer feedback on their on-air content. For instance, Fox-owned WJBK-TV in Detroit uses its MyFoxDetroit.com message board to give the public a chance to sound off on stories. Sometimes such feedback is mentioned during a WJBK BY DAISY WHITNEY Among cable networks, CNN has been newscast, with anchors reading commentary t’s nice when someone else can help you among the most aggressive in mining user and requesting additional viewer response. do your job, especially if they’ll work for contributions through its iReport.com Along these same lines, WJBK streams its Ifree. service that lets viewers upload videos of morning show online alongside a chat room, Audience submissions are coming into news events, which can then be used on the letting the local community interact with their own as a resource for news networks, network or on CNN.com. each other and sometimes with the anchors local stations and newspapers, which are The significance of that service first during the on-air/online simulcast. increasingly incorporating layman-generated came to light during 2007 with the Virginia video and feedback into their offerings. Tech shootings and the Minneapolis bridge Parker Polidor, co-founder of Cell collapse, as some of the first video footage Cheap Fix Journalist, a software platform designed to for both stories came from local citizens on Here’s an inexpensive solution for news be integrated into news outlets’ Web sites the scene. operations that like using user-generated that enables the public to submit images “The Virginia Tech event was sort of a video but are sometimes stopped short by and video from mobile phones, said his 2- wake-up call internally to the power of the the poor quality of the visuals. year-old business has experienced startling platform, and that continued with the MotionDSP’s vReveal, a Windows application for PCs, can help reduce the growth just since the beginning of the year. bridge collapse,’” said Lila King, senior blur, shakes, noise and darkness found in producer at CNN.com, who oversees iReport. low-resolution videos sent to news Clients Tripled iReport launched in 2006 as a vehicle for organizations from mobile phones and “We started with WKRN in Nashville two users to upload breaking news they digital cameras. years ago and we had 20 clients by the witnessed. Now the site iReport.com Based on a more sophisticated—and beginning of 2009. We now have 65,” immediately posts anything users upload, costly—forensic application used by law Polidor said, noting that the breakdown of but those same pieces must be vetted enforcement, vReveal essentially analyzes broadcast to print clients is roughly 70 before their make it on air or online. the color and position of pixels in frames percent to 30 percent. adjacent to ones with the poor images and then adds information found in those “TV is more about breaking news, while ‘Invaluable’ Tool nearby frames to make the improvements. for newspapers, it’s more about community- During the Iran coverage, CNN leaned —Tom Gilbert based events, like festivals and high school heavily on iReport for footage from the sports,” he said in explaining the disparity, ground. “It’s allowed CNN to tell the story adding that TV stations can also instantly and tell the rest of the world what is drive traffic to their sites by promoting happening. It’s become an invaluable news- viewer submissions on air. gathering tool,” King said. Cell Journalist counts among its TV CNN said Web users clicked through on CLEAN UP vReveal clients Scripps Television Station Group, iReports from Iran stories at double the digitally refines user- Media General Broadcast Group, Raycom average rate. “What we have seen in Iran generated video. Media and Young Broadcasting. provided a new model for breaking news,”

28 | Newspro | August 2009 09np0012.qxp 7/21/09 11:12 AM Page 1

The Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards

HONORING THE BEST IN BROADCAST NEWS FOR 40 YEARS

www.dupont.org

09np0012.pdf RunDate: 08/ 03 /09 Full Page Color: 4/C np_worker.qxp 7/27/09 12:24 PM Page 30

Sign Off By Tom Petner Preparing for Life With Leno

omedy is big news for the fall season, particularly in September, when NBC goes from dark and bloody to light and funny—dropping Leno into the 10 p.m. Cslot traditionally reserved for scripted drama. It’s a move, however, that is no laughing matter for NBC affiliates, Newspapers (owner of NBC and Fox stations): possibly altering the viewing landscape forever. [Our NBC stations will] l be taking advantage of every topical Many local NBC managers are hoping for—but not banking opportunity Leno will be providing and treating them effectively as on—a big Leno lead-in. a news-in-progress update to ensure they’re fresh. Further, we’ll But others say they’re concerned Leno will hurt their late beef up topical promotion in the prior hour in an effort to make an newscasts. The worst-case scenario: Viewers watch Jay’s impression on those who’ll surf away. [We are not planning to shift monologue, check out the guests, and then it’s sayonara. It’s off our 11 p.m. coverage strategy] at this point. NBC’s research about to bed, or a quick switch to a Fox station for a audience flow from Leno seems sound, but until the news/weather fix. public is viewing the actual show we won’t really Meanwhile, managers at rival CBS stations are know. We’ll call that one in progress. champing at the bit. They can’t wait for the new One of our Fox stations does an hour [of news] in season of “CSI.” Talk to CBS affiliate news directors that time period. We’ve already looked at their format and you hear one word repeated often: opportunity. to make certain we are in solid content each time It’s the same with folks at ABC and Fox stations; Leno goes to break—the time surfing will most likely they’re highly anticipating the halo effect of new occur. programming. Getting local news directors on the phone or Lyle Schulze, GM of KMIR-TV, the NBC affiliate reaching them by e-mail is pretty easy. Getting one to go on the in Palm Springs, Calif. record is another story. So I took an informal survey of news KMIR has a consistent record of over-indexing on NBC directors, GMs and other interested parties—some of programming; this should bode well for Jay here … Leno whom requested anonymity—to get their opinion of Some and the “Tonight Show” is an institutional brand. The the impact Leno will have on late local newscasts. NBC insertion of Leno at 10 p.m. ultimately gives us a Here’s a sampling of what they had to say: managers are promotional leg up for our 11 p.m. show. TV and Web marketing consultant Graeme concerned Leno A (Central Time Zone) CBS station news Newell from 602 Communications: will hurt director: By their very nature, these type of late-night I honestly think this is an opportunity. There’s talk shows are designed for casual surfing … that their late no real interest—judging from the research—in a means I watch the top of the show and then I’m newscasts. 9 p.m. [Central] variety show. I don’t think Leno will gone. My recommendation [to our NBC station clients] help or hurt us. I think it will most likely benefit Fox … is the promo team create an in-show promo that masterfully the audience will sample the first few minutes of Leno and teases tomorrow night’s show. We also need to do more in-story then go to Fox for a recap and off to bed. marketing on the big stories that will continue from day to day. An East Coast ABC station news director: Jim Willi, senior VP at local media strategy company AR&D: We will assume Leno will be a pattern disruption for viewers They waited to introduce Leno only a week before the other … we need to do more direct teasing to stories in our 11 p.m., networks launch their season. It would have helped Leno and particularly prior to 10 p.m. We see it as a potential opportunity stations if there was more time to develop Leno’s audience for our 11 p.m., as our best thinking (or maybe it’s wishful thinking) against reruns. is that Leno at 10 p.m. may have the same viewer retention No matter the Leno number, even the best lead-in won’t challenge as his show at 11:35 p.m. did. guarantee NBC stations numbers for their newscasts. Fox learned the hard way with ‘Idol’ that it wasn’t easy to carry viewers into If Leno shows any inability to carry his audience through the their newscasts. hour, we would have to take a look at moving our 10 p.m. If [NBC stations] try to alter their newscasts to an entertainment [duopoly newscast] down to 10:30 p.m. material—softer materials—at 11 p.m … I think that’s suicidal. Tom Petner is an award-winning journalist and media executive. Dennis Kendall, director of broadcast news for Quincy He can be reached at [email protected].

30 | Newspro | August 2009 09np0006.qxp 7/16/09 5:13 PM Page 1

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI OCT. 16 & 17, 2009

Spotlight Speakers REGISTER TODAY! ‹ +VUUH:OHSHSH7O+WYLZPKLU[OH[OLHS[OYLMVYTJV\SK 6]LY[OLUL_[`LHYZ[OLWS\ZWVW\SH[PVUPZWYVQLJ[LK[VNYV^MV\Y[V mean to senior health ZP_[PTLZHZMHZ[HZ[OLWVW\SH[PVUHZH^OVSL*VTLL_WSVYL[OLZLPZZ\LZ ‹ +LTVNYHWOPJZVMHUHNPUNZVJPL[`! HUKTVYLZV`V\JHUZ[HY[[LSSPUN[OLZLZ[VYPLZUV^  >OH[^PSS^LSVVRSPRL& ‹ (NPUNPU[OLL[OUPJJVTT\UP[` Host: ‹ 0ZOLHS[OJHYL^VYRMVYJLWYLWHYLK University of Miami Center on Aging  MVYHZOPM[PUHNPUN& ‹ 5\[YP[PVUHUKHNPUN Sponsors Include: ‹ )YHPUYLZLHYJO!3H[LZ[HK]HUJLZ future hurdles ‡ 0D\R&OLQLFLQ)ORULGD ‡ 7KH5REHUW:RRG-RKQVRQ)RXQGDWLRQ ‹ -PUKPUN[OLTVUL`[VWH`MVYZLUPVYOLHS[O ‡ 7KH&RPPRQZHDOWK)XQG ‡ +HDOWK)RXQGDWLRQRI6RXWK)ORULGD ‹ *VTT\UP[`LMMVY[Z[VHJJVTTVKH[LHNPUN ‡ 0RQWHILRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU ‡ 8QLYHUVLW\RI 0LDPL6FKRRORI &RPPXQLFDWLRQ ‹ ,MMVY[Z[VWYL]LU[LSKLYHI\ZL

Register now at www.healthjournalism.org/aging 1\Z[ MVY(/*1TLTILYZ" MVYZ[\KLU[Z" MV\UKH[PVUZUVUWYVÄ[Z" 706Z 5VUTLTILYQV\YUHSPZ[ZJHUYLNPZ[LYHUKQVPU(/*1H[[OLZHTL[PTLMVYHZWLJPHSYH[LVM 

09np0006.pdf RunDate: 08/ 03 /09 Full Page Color: 4/C 09np0002.qxp 7/14/09 3:40 PM Page 1

09np0002.pdf RunDate: 08/ 03 /09 Full Page Color: 4/C