Working at a News-Talk station is interesting…you get to listen to talk show hosts bash the media and news coverage while you’re preparing newscasts for the top and bottom of the hour. I’ve always thought it was somewhat a conflict of interest to have a News-Talk format.
Rush started it all with his “drive-by media” rants. What many don’t realize is while he accuses the media of pushing an agenda, he is doing the same. Rush is a radio guy first and foremost, and for that I respect him to the highest degree. He is the reason talk radio is the Juggernaut it is today. But he must also get ratings, and rule number one in radio weather it’s writing commercial copy or doing a talk show is “Conflict draws the listener in”.
I used to (still do sometimes) get flack all the time from listeners. Although as word got out that I used to produce a conservative talk show, the accusations have become few and far between. Have I changed the way I report the news, or has the PERCEPTION of listeners changed? I also used to produce a cooking show which focused strictly on barbecue. Does that mean I’m totally against frying a hamburger?
Also, the line between what is news and what is opinion gets blurred everyday. You have Bill Mahr, John Stewart and others reporting news, and then making a joke out of it. Hannity uses the term “up to the minute news” in his show. But do you think these guys are really reporting the news, or just items they can put a spin on to get a rise or a laugh out of the listener?
I guess what I’m getting at is not every reporter has an agenda…but every talk show host does. Be kind to you local reporters as they work hard to bring you information. Whether you chose to use it for you own personal gratification or complain about it over coffee is your business. Either way, we’re doing our job.
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does this mean i have to be nice to vinny del rosso?
Rush started it all with his “drive-by media” rants. What many don’t realize is while he accuses the media of pushing an agenda, he is doing the same.
This is true but to be clear, Rush has always acknowledged that he’s pushing conservative ideals…his “agenda”. He declares himself and identifies the premise of his show which is something that many in the media don’t do even though they have a decidedly more progressive “agenda”.
Reporters are trying their best to just do their jobs. Often what they report comes from a news source with an agenda. Before the alternative radio shows we all heard one note reporting for the most part. Now we look for many sources to arm ourselves with information. Accurate information is very important . Responsible citizens need reliable sources so that they can make good decisions.
Sometime in the late fifties or early sixties entertainment became a part of the news. It was sold as an attempt to make the news more interesting so people would watch and be better informed. It became a platform…a money making platform that needed to be challenged through competition. Rush led the charge and it’s working well.
Thanks for the input Tina. Let me be clear that I am in no way bashing Rush. He was the reason I got involved in the news-talk format (talk first). In fact, the man I worked for started his career as a reporter…the opposite of my career to this point.
I do agree that many reporters get their information from sources with an agenda, and it’s the easy way out not to check facts.
What I was getting at is not all reporters are part of the “drive-by media”. Just speaking out for some of my colleagues…probably venting too! I should have clarified.
One thing I find heartening is that people in the news business are beginning to question the ways of the drive-by-media and that’s a good thing. The greatest thing we can hope for is a media that actually pursues the truth when reporting and eagerly steps up to provide clear, and yes entertaining, commentary. There’s nothing better, as Rush has proven, than having fun while learning something of value.
Re: “I’ve always thought it was somewhat a conflict of interest to have a News-Talk format.”
Huh? Why should news reporters be conflicted over reporting news on a station that carries talks shows? Are reporters easily influenced or corrupted by talk shows?
Re: “I guess what I’m getting at is not every reporter has an agenda”
Not likely, but your idealism is refreshing.
Re: “…but every talk show host does”
So?
Re: Be kind to you local reporters as they work hard to bring you information.
What the heck did you do now?