Oregon Media Insiders

At the risk of ignoring the advice (attributed to Mark Twain)

here goes:

A cop chase is chaotic for a TV newsroom. People are trying to track it on the scanners, scramble crews, launch a chopper - and figure out exactly what is going on.

It's like shouting "fire" in a crowded fire.

In that whirlwind of activity, it is remarkable that someone thought to record the goings-on. Three out of four newsrooms didn't.

Yes, the cinematographer at ODOT did well. Keep in mind that he/she likely wasn't trying to answer 1,000 questions, rely information, think strategically, keep track of 15 other stories and run the camera. Only the last part.

So, to summarize: the "alleged journos" were doing a lot more than "just running the ODOT feed."

Wr return you now to your regularly scheduled folly.

So three out of four newsrooms didn't think to utilize the ODOT camera. Nothing more. How is this remarkable since your next paragraph has you balancing 1,00 spinning plates at once, texting with your best friend and doing a voiceover? Only one station had the foresight to grab the live feed as it occurred.And you know this how? Have you interviewed the ODOT technician as a followup? Do you know what went down in the ODOT communications center at the time? Is your comparison to a TV newsroom with the ODOT Comm Center even fair? They didn't "run" the feed. That belongs to ODOT.

You journos give yourself way too much credit when in reality, you were all bystanders.

Don't obfuscate your ineptitude with hyperbole. You aren't answering 1000 questions, you aren't thinking strategically, and you're not keeping track of anything else. You're freaking out. It's what you do. The guy at ODOT knew what his job was and did it. That's the difference.

What eloquent word choice. Thanks for stopping by. I'll treasure your comments always.

You're right. The ODOT guy did his job well because his job is easy. You guys in the newsroom, well, you're practically heroes. That was your original point, wasn't it?

Did I offend you with my use of the word "bullshit?" I honestly couldn't think of a more appropriate word.

I still can't.

...your inability to think of another word is not surprising.

Here's some help: www.dictionary.com

You'll be surprised at all the different words you'll find there. And oh, the places you'll go.

Warmly,

Z

Maybe you could use that dictionary site to look up the word "thesaurus."

Someone mentioned that the camera operator at ODOT did a great job. You minimized that accomplishment while overinflating your own role.

What word would you choose?

Time for me to take Twain's advice (helpfully cited above for the savvy reader) before the Fairy Blogmother sends all of us to our rooms -- without supper.

Excellent choice. I'll do the same, sulking in internet defeat.

I wouldn't exactly call it "remarkable" that anyone in the KATU newsroom thought to roll on DOT's. That is the FIRST thing that anyone on the Assignment Desk or whoever handles the ingesting of that video, should have thought to do!

I've worked in newsrooms in Portland, Seattle, Miami and Orlando...I saw the video...it was good. But I can guarantee you that any Miami or Orlando newsroom would have really reemed someone for not thinking to roll on DOT's...hello? Common News-Sense?

they are not like the 5 million other stations that all they do is brag.....

They are 2nd or 3rd place in every newscast they do. They aren't #1 anywhere. They lost the 4PM to a brand new competitor. So what would they say in a promo? "KATU news -- consistently not #1" Trust me, KATU would brag a lot if they could.

The lead in to KATU's 4 is horrible! Also, KPTV gets to showcase all of their resources at 4, while KATU has to "tease" stories for the later show. Apples and Oranges people! I do think KATU's 4:00 anchors are really good together.

This post is hilarious. Actually KPTV's lead in so far this book is worse than KATU's. And yet it still beats KATU's 4. But I'll agree with you, that the problems with KATU's four have more to do with KATU than KPTV. It was KATU that decided to piss away a good leadin that was producing numbers in the 4's when they went to a full hour. And it is KATU who decides to tease viewers at 4 instead of actually giving them them full news. Apples and Oranges. Maybe you're right.

It will be interesting to see if KPTV holds back news when they expand this Fall from 5-6pm.

"they DONT brag like everyone else...... meaning KGW not katu

They were to scared to show what katu did, the ODOT feed. KATU actually had the guts to show the live feed. KGW was scared it will go agenst the FCC when there is a lot worse on TV

I think KGWs problem was busy being getting ready to start some downtown trouble with their new studio tring to be like the today show whitch is like what? 5 hours long now? KGW is enjoying to much of their glamore if you ask me

Zamboni +2

Game, set, match - Zamboni!!!

Sounds like shifty touched a nerve

The guys at ODOT that control the cameras are the same guys that dispatch COMET. If they are moving the camera, it's probably so they can determine if they need to pick up the mic and send a COMET truck there.

http://www.rtc.wa.gov/Studies/Archive/trunnion/pr-odot.97-181-1.htm (I find it interesting that I can't find any comparable information on ODOT's webpage, but find it from a Washington state website...)