Oregon Media Insiders

Emmy lesson 101:
1. The statutes are beautiful.
2. The award impresses your friends.
3. It is a business.
4. The judging is questionable.
5. The best story doesn't always win.

KPTV won an Emmy, good for them. Many stations across the country win Emmys this time of year. It's kinda like the run of the spring chinook; The strongest don't always survive. My recommendation to those of you in this blog that are judging your career on this faux gold plated stick figure holding an orb is this; find another career.
As broadcast and print journalists we love our awards. We have more awards in our industry than any other profession. I think awards are a compensation for the poor salaries most of us are garnering in this market. But they are not always a barometer of good journalism.
Good journalism is not about an award, but rather how your work rewards the public. Providing the public with balanced and accurate information is by far more important than anguishing over who should have won the Emmy.
There isn't alot of critical thinking going on at the table during Emmy judging night. Judges aren't selected for their talent, just their willingness to look at a little tape.
So the next time a viewer takes the time to call and thank you for a story, consider that your Emmy. If you are still looking for some work validation enter the Murrows or Best of the West...there you might find some judges who aren't there just for the pizza.
Oh, and yes..I do have Emmy.