The view from Berkeley
Monday, March 10, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 11:56 AM
Hey, so last week some grad students from U.C. Berkeley's school of journalism stopped by News10's world headquarters on Broadway in Sacramento. The students were here for a couple of days and had some insight about how we do what we do. Our goal was to find out how they get information, how they are learning to broadcast information and to connect with a local school of journalism. What they ended up focusing on was news10.net. Below are some of their insight.
1) There is tremendous potential in Live_Online. (I admit some favoritism and pride in this observation from the students as I have worked long and hard on this endeavour.)
2) We need to make our video more obvious on every page on news10.net. A lot more obvious.
3) We need to refine our graphic look a bit. They know we are "red" and know we are News10 every place they look.
4) Keep it simple.
5) We need more user content ... and we need to show off the fact that we are using it.
Th group actually told us quite a bit more but I'd like to use this opportunity to help us improve news10.net. Take the suggestions above and send me an email with yours. (If the link for some reason doesn't work for you: mlangley@news10.net.)
Let's hear your ideas. If I get enough of them, I'll post them in this space and let you all comment on what you think.
Look what we did!
Friday, March 7, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 7:52 AM
I'll get into the visit from our Berkeley grad students and what we learned from them next week. Today I really want to talk about what we did yesterday.
We did something Thursday that not only had we not attempted before, no one has.
All morning long Nicole Chavez and photojournalist Mike Garza went Live_Online several times with new information including a interview with on the friends of the accused student! Then we got to the new thing. Nicole, Mike and Kelly Jackson carried on a live two location broadcast Live_Online while we were also broadcasting News10 Midday. We all had no idea how this would look or feel. Truly. I just had a vision for what I wanted it to be. But everyone in the field and here in studio made it seamless program of interviews with officials and a student … while asking questions posed by users Live_Online! It looked better than I could have hoped.
You may think this not that big a deal, but carrying on two separate live broadcasts at the same time is not something we've every even tried. It was so new for us that operations manager Brian Plumb and his team had to rework our audio system just so Kelly and Nicole could hear each other and NOT the on-air broadcast. The equipment isn't even set up to do that. (I should say "wasn't" because as soon as we stopped broadcasting Brian had the audio board upgraded to do this more easily the next time.)
Our coverage Live_Online was radically different from our coverage on-air. We had two different but complimentary streams of information going.
I cannot over-emphasize how different this was from a)anything we've ever done before; b) the rest of our competition on ANY platform; and c) anyone else in the country. What we learned today will get us where we are going more quickly and more prepared. Here is another example of where we are going. (Election night and the AMGEN Tour of California both led up to this.)
But forget my own pride and satisfaction for a moment, let me tell you what one of our users wrote after we completed our morning-long coverage (he was not the only one):
I have to say again that this "liveonline" thing is really innovative. I have family in the news industry who are really concerned about the future of newspapers and tv news. This is clearly one possibility of where we're headed and i think it's a good thing.
Thank you Jeremy. We're just getting started.
Berkeley Visit
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 9:18 AM
Today some journalism students from Berkeley are joining us today and job shadowing a few of us. They are going to watch our process, learn and then offer their own feedback about how we are communicating for a new generation.
I'm a little excited.
I'll let you know more after their visit.
Blog on this...
Monday, March 3, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 5:11 PM
I have always maintained that I will post within this space the good, the bad and the questionable. Today, we have the bad, as illustrated by Bryan who sent me an email (the title of this post is the subject line of his email) about a story on news10.net this weekend.
I'd like to know your station's policy on the use of "exclusive". My guess is your staff strayed from that policy this weekend, on at least a couple of levels.
I logged on to your web site to find an "exclusive" label placed on a story about a Stockton mother who lost her young son to violence and was now moving out of town. What made this exclusive? I read several newspapers a day and saw this story on the front page of the Stockton Record newspaper. All you did was steal the idea and put it on TV. So how is that exclusive?
Bryan, thank you for calling us on this. You're right. We called something exclusive that was not. We failed in a couple of ways in part because of our zeal for the story, the powerful emotion displayed by the mother we interviewed and my own failure to question that fact when it was reported to me.
"Exclusive" is one of those words in journalism that you cannot use lightly. It still means something to our audience and our misuse will erode a) the impact of truly exclusive content, and b) our credibility as a news organization.
Bryan goes on to add that putting the "exclusive" tag on this story exploited this woman's pain. We agreed as we discussed this very thing this morning in our editorial meeting and took all reference off the story.
Bryan, and all, though we do not have an ombudsman I thank you for writing me. We will do better next time.
Journalist Heal Thyself
Friday, February 29, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 10:57 AM
You ever have a crisis of conscience? No? Yeah, me neither.
But if I did ... here's how I might deal with it:
Let's say you get tired of covering the same old stories. The same accident. The same kids making stupid decisions and racing cars. The same silly politicians making the same silly mistakes. How do you "recharge" to face another day/month/year? (Believe me, "burnout" is a word journalists know all too well.)
It's easy to take a vacation, but what if you can't. Some journalists I know never recover, and get jaded/bored and phone it in. If I was to feel this way, I would try one or all of the following methods: fight to tell the unusual or uplifting story. If you tell a story that's different, even if a light little feature on the little boy selling lemonade in front of his house, you will feel better after telling the story.
Write down your thoughts. I blog and it helps me ... uh, it would if I felt that way I'm sure.
I talk with my wife about everything. No matter how long it takes. I feel so much better after talking about it.
Sadly, the stories we all hate to tell will always be there. People will make silly decisions that affect their community and the people within it. So we can't avoid feeling like we've said the same thing over and over. What we can do is force ourselves to take mental "breaks" and make sure the stories we don't like to tell do not all flow together.
One last thing, talk to other journalists. We know how we all feel. It helps to talk with someone who really understands. In fact, if you are a journalist here's my email: mlangley@news10.net. Let's talk it through.
The Threat of Tyranny
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 1:14 PM
My apologies to you. I haven't talked with you in a while. I recently sent letter to the Editor of the Tracy Press (my hometown newspaper) which I reprint for you below. It's a warning for really any one's hometown. Don't let local journalism die. (Ed. note: The San Joaquin Herald also publishes in Tracy.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am a native son of Tracy. More than 35 years ago, my mother taught me to read the Tracy Press. I was so enamored of journalism that I became a journalist. I have worked as a journalist in Sacramento, the Bay Area and our nation’s capital. It is because of all this that I must tell you how disappointed I am that your local newspaper must now cut back its circulation days to two days a week. The publishers of the Press have not said they will cut back on coverage or on the number of journalists they employ to cover Tracy, but it is not too far a stretch of the imagination to envision they might someday have to consider those measures. It is obscene. The people of Tracy are allowing the only organization that watches city representatives and staff to expire with little more than a sigh. Journalists have a mandate: We are charged by the Constitution to keep an eye on people in power and make sure they are accountable to you. This nation’s forefathers, in their wisdom, made journalism the only private profession specifically protected by the Constitution. They knew, as it seems few people in Tracy do, that governments need watching. Society needs people dedicated to the premise of informing all of us about what is going on. I don’t have time to head down to city hall to see what is on the agenda, run on over to the police department and see if anything is happening in my neighborhood, head up to the state Capitol to find out what laws are proposed, call my congressman and find out what’s happening in Washington, D.C., go to work, make dinner for my family and somehow find some time to sleep and prepare for the next day. Who do you suppose is doing all of this while you are at work? The only resource the people of Tracy can turn to for daily information about Tracy is the Tracy Press. Without advertising revenue or increased sales, the Press may have to compromise its mandate. A community newspaper can only exist with the support of the community it serves. Now the Press needs you. It’s only a quarter, for crying out loud! And that’s at the newsstand. It’s free to get the Press at home! Free! I mean, how much is the safeguarding of your liberty worth to you? How much are you willing to pay to know what your city leaders are doing? Or whether Tracy needs a new high school? Or how candidates for public office stand on the issues important to Tracy? You have no idea what it is like to live in a place where journalism is nonexistent, where no one shines lights in dark places, where elected officials do as they please because no one is asking questions. I fear you take the Tracy Press and the work of its editors and journalists for granted. I fear support for it will only decay. Now, there are some who decry the flaws of coverage within the Press. I have faced my share of critique from the community I serve. I will continue to do so for as long as I am a journalist. The editors, publishers and journalists of the Press are no different. But I warrant they take their charge as seriously as I. I have a favorite quote by Thomas Jefferson. It is inscribed inside the Jefferson Memorial. It succinctly captures my own ethic while also underscoring the acute need for journalists and a free press: “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.†If you do not support local journalism, you invite such tyranny. These are hard economic times, of that there is no doubt. But don’t let the institution of journalism in Tracy be a permanent victim. Thusly is our democracy threatened.
I Love Voting Day
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 3:32 PM
I admit to being a heart-bleeding, flag-wearing, Constitution-thumping patriot. I love the United States of America and everything that name and responsibility stand for. I love to vote. When I have children, I will bring them with me every time I cast a ballot.
My wife, and many others, chooses to cast her vote absentee. Me, I love going into the polling place, seeing the volunteers who sit for hours in defense of democracy, walking into the cubicle (or desk, or whatever) to vote and then pushing my ballot into the ballot box. It is a very physical joy for me that I have never denied myself.
Voting is, to me, our most joyful opportunity and our most sacred responsibility as Americans. Really. It's corny but true. The true guardians of democracy meet and decide the fate of our nation every election. From the smallest school board to President of the United States. Every vote tells the world who is ultimately in control. Every vote tells our neighbors, we care about what happens in our community.
Now I know many of you will argue that the [media, political parties, unions, etc.] control elections. And while I agree that they exert more influence, the choice is ultimately yours. Think about what this nation has gone through. Political parties used to organize "blocks" to vote this way or that. They cast ballots for the illiterate and forced minorities at gun point to cast votes. In the end, the people overthrew that system. Party bosses lost control of elections because the people stopped giving them control. We rose up.
We are powerful when we vote together. You are powerful when you vote alone. Never forget your power or willingly give it to another.
Welcome to my block
Monday, January 28, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 1:26 PM
I haven't checked in with you in a couple of weeks.
I have a good reason though: I can't think of anything to tell you. Seriously. I have blogger's block. (I might have just made up that term.)
Now, I have had writers block before but being as how I had a looming deadline (I love daily news) I worked through it. I've also had writer's block in other personal projects I have worked on but never here.
It's like: I'm no longer interesting. Or can think of interesting things to discuss. (I'm almost positive you want to know nothing about my dogs or comic book collection.)
Anyway, while I get back up on this horse, I thought I should at least let you know I have not forgotten our conversations.
P.S. If there is anything you want to know about, please write me (mlangley@news10.net). It'll help alleviate my block and get something know in this space.
Where in the world is Indiana?
Thursday, January 3, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 4:18 PM
Show of hands: How many of you are aware that Americans are voting for a presidential candidate today? That's right, the Indiana caucuses are underway but a series of storms in northern California have effectively eclipsed the results of the first votes for President. (At least locally.)
But I get the sense that there is more to this story. I think the caucuses in Indiana, the first voting of the presidential primary season, have snuck up on most people. There used to be a certain pageantry to Presidential elections. The first votes cast in primaries not only made news, they were the big news. It doesn't seem so now.
If you have read this blog for long you know that I believe what is going on in your neighborhood should be reported as big news. It is ... to you. But last week News10 made the decision to bring you information about the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, because of what her killing means for America. It continues to be important information for you to understand, and that is our duty to you. It's the struggle we have in the choices between information we believe is important to you (but that you may not know about) and information you know is important in your life.
So I have to wonder: why are the Indiana primaries not really registering as big news for most people? Did the jumbling of all the election dates just throw everyone off? Are Presidential politics just so out of touch with your life that the election you vote in is the only one you care about? Have we done a poor job of conveying the importance of these primaries and caucuses? Or are you just so bored by politics and the constant sniping of political opponants that you just tune out?
To be honest I think it's likely a combination of all.
Now for the trick ending: how many of you realized before now that it's actually Iowa holding caucuses today and not Indiana?
Here we are again..
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
posted by Michael Langley at 1:03 PM
Okay, a series of storms is moving into northern California from Thursday through the weekend. How much information do you want?
If we had a crystal ball in our editorial meetings to answer just this one question, we'd all be a lot happier. Seriously, in times like this we sit and talk a lot about how best to handle weather stories; when to handle them; and how to get the information to you.
Our combined wisdom is that you want to know about the weather when it's hailing outside your window (or about to). Sure, it may be on your mind beforehand, but it isn't really your top concern. (I tend to think your mortgage likely is right now.)
BUT (yeah there's a big "but") we feel like we still have a responsibility to keep you updated on the latest track and timeline for the storm. So we lead with weather a day or two out.
I guess i just want you to know we talk about it a lot.
Bhutto Assassination Not Big Enough for Local News?
Friday, December 28, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 8:43 AM
Allow me to give you a sampling of opinions from news10.net users posted yesterday about the story about the assassination of Benazir Bhutto:
"This [the Sheriff's deputy funeral] should be the top storey" "Who cares?"
In fact, some people within the newsroom question why it was our top story online and on News10 at 5:00 yesterday. They, likewise, believe the funeral for Deputy Vu Nguyen is more important to our community than the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan.
It's a good debate. Here are my thoughts: The assassination of Benazir Bhutto could have a profound effect on the stability of that nation and the United States on the world stage. We have precious few allies in predominantly Muslim nations. Benazir Bhutto was a woman committed to democracy and freedom in her country and her death could destabalize Pakistan in a way that will won't be good for our country. Our ability to diplomatically work with Muslim nations is only enhanced if our allies in Muslim nations help us. Our ability to continue to prosecute a war on terrorism may also be compromised without an ally in Pakistan ... and the leader with whom we have been working these past years is on tenuous political ground in his own country. There's a lot at stake for America with the effects of this killing.
And then there's this: Benazir Bhutto wanted to make a difference in her nation and in similar nations by serving as an example for Muslim women. She prized freedom and embraced democracy. She risked her life many times to represent the people of Pakistan and should be honored for her sacrifice.
I likewise honor everything Vu Nguyen did and is still doing for this community. We have spent a lot of time in the past week examining what Deputy Vu did in life and his connections to people that in death are still helping the Sacramento Sheriff's Department fight gangs.
Yesterday we chose to bring you a story you may have previously known little about. We chose to recognize a world event that has the potential to affect America on a number of levels. I think we did the right thing. But if you disagree, I at least want you to know why we did it.
Guest Blog - My Wife
Friday, December 21, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 2:31 PM
Ed. Note: My wife is passionate about many things. But she and I share a passion for baseball. She put together so eloquent a statement about her disappointment with the game that I chose to let her post for both of us rather than try to leave you with my own, less compelling thought.
I am so disappointed. I have loved baseball all my life. I loved sitting in Stockton Ports games or major league games. The taste of a hot dog is different. The smell of baseball is everywhere. The sound of the ball and the bat coming together. I love watching baseball. I don't really even care who is playing. And I loved watching players who were either great or soon would be. I am now beginning to identify with my father in law's point of view.
Years ago he stopped paying attention to most professional sports. He thinks the athletes are overpaid and selfish. He believes no one just wants to play ... they just want money, notoriety and power. He really hated the baseball strike.
After seeing how many baseball players use steroids, I am disgusted. The game is tarnished. I don't know what will happen next. I don't know if somebody will get suspended or if baseball will make new rules. All I know is: the next time I go to a baseball game, it won't be the same.
Post 100
Thursday, December 20, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 12:00 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my 100th post. (I can now enter syndication.) I will talk about 2 things today ... in the order in which they appeal to me.
First, my favorite story in years. Yesterday a California Highway Patrol helicopter piloted by Steve Ward and carrying paramedic David White circled over an area near or in Lassen National Forest, looking for a family of four lost for three days in a blizzard. It was the first time aircraft were able to get in the air because of the weather. It was the best sound Freddie Dominguez likely ever heard. I love this story. A family that stayed together and survived the elements, after pushing through heavy snow and finally huddling in a storm pipe. Freddie said he never gave up hope. He and his 3 children prayed, joked, ate snow and talked about pizza and Christmas presents. Here is the story I love to tell. Stories that inspire.
Unfortunately, this story was overshadowed by it's polar opposite. A law enforcement officer, whom by all accounts was improving life in Sacramento as a gang suppression officer, shot to death. Allegedly by a 16 year old. One of the questions surrounding this story in our morning meeting today involved culture. There are several unsolved crimes in our community because no one will come forward with information about the suspect. It's a problem several local law enforcement agencies recognize and have addressed by hiring officers who speak several languages. What prevents people from identifying bad people? Is it good old fashioned fear? Is it cultural? Is it a mistrust of law enforcement? I fear we have no answers. When we try to seek answers, many will also not speak with us about such things. Do you have any answers?
Sensitive
Monday, December 17, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 4:37 PM
I think it will not come as a terrible shock to you that many journalists have egos. You may be surprised though that most are not egotistical but just very sensitive about their work.
Journalists, by and large, are very sensitive about their work. (Most creative types are.) I will tell you that this was a difficult lesson to learn for me. Most of the time I don't much care if my words are changed or my stories aren't followed. I go into it believing that they are going to be messed with. So I never expect someone to take offense if I offer critique. But a careless word here or there can sometimes cause hurt feelings. And no matter how many times I see someone get upset by an opposing opinion or statement, I still hit that quicksand sometimes.
I sent an email to several people a couple of weeks ago that was a reminder to get something done and closed the email with a "here are the consequences if you don't get this done" statement. Some were offended by the last part. They felt it heavy-handed. Someone please give me the wrap sign when I start down this path.
Ed. Note: "The wrap" sign is television sign language for wrap it up. The sign is your index finger pointing up, or at the person you are trying to wrap, and moved in a circular motion several times. (The more emphatic the motion, the more critical it is that you stop what you are doing.) There ya go. TV 101.
53%
posted by Michael Langley at 4:32 PM
Some time ago I read the results of a study by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. The survey, published in August, of online news users concluded that 53% of those polled believe news organizations do not care about the people they report on.
...
I was/am stunned. I understand a certain level of cynicism on the part of those we serve and have talk about it in this space. But I would not have believed it possible that so many think we just don't care about the people we cover.
I do not suffer from naivete. I see the packs of journalists running down the sidewalk after Britany or the teacher who sleeps with one of her students. I see the worst of us. But I didn't think you thought your local journalists were like that. I truly did not.
You must know how much the people we interview affect us. The families who lost loved ones. The homeowner about to lose his home. We tell their stories because they are important and compelling. We search out human elements to stories. It is, to my mind, the only way to properly tell a story. As a matter of fact, it is sometimes difficult to maintain a journalistic demeanor when telling stories about people.
I literally cannot fathom not caring about the people we cover. I honestly cannot fathom not caring about another human being. I'm sorry if we've somehow led you to believe we don't care. I hope at least one of you reading this post now believes otherwise.
P.S. You should know that this same survey found 78% of those asked have a favorable opinion of local television news. So apparently, most people are okay with us not caring about those we cover. See the report from Pew here.
We're all History
Friday, December 14, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 4:32 PM
(Ed. note: I wrote this post about 5 and a half months ago. I did not publish at the time because I thought I sounded like a pretentious prat. While I'm quite sure time has not diluted my tone any, I'm less concerned about sounding snooty and more concerned about making this point.)
I am a student of history. I love reading how things were. I love hearing the tone of an age through the voices of those who wrote during it. My first history book was the Iliad. I loved it. I wanted more. Through the years I have come to understand something about journalists: We are the chroniclers of our age. We are now the unintentional historians.
There are plenty of history papers and books that are written today and will be written in the future. But I think it accurate to say that most will be aggregated into a few books people will read 100 years from now. They will, in essence, lose their individuality and tone and become an amalgam.
But because there are so many individual media companies, all keeping their work in archive, people will always have access to daily newspapers, online archives and all the individual records of the events of these days.
I'm not sure many journalists see that. I'm not sure how many realize they are writing for their great-great-great-grandchildren and their generations after them. And it is for this reason, above all others, that we have to be accurate in our telling of human stories. Events are one things. History books will tell people what happened. We will tell future generations how we felt about it and how it really impacted the lives of those in our community.
I'm not sure if this sentiment is right for the newsroom or the classroom, but I doubt very much that I would be a very good professor so I will leave it here for you. (for the time being)
Spare some change?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 3:14 PM
We are redesigning some aspects of our newsroom. These changes are both physical (note the lovely pictures courtesy of my shaky-handed cell phone) and personal. Our goal is to change the way our newsroom does business and, by extension, change the way our business does business.
The physical change is not just moving desks around. Stacy has redesigned our newsroom to reflect the way we need to get information around. Our connect desk and web center are at the middle of the newsroom ... surrounded by journalists who can report, pick up a camera or file online.
Which leads to the personal change. We are all doing more. Providing information to our community in a variety of ways. Every job in the building has been redesigned. All for the opportunity to better serve needs that are now almost as diverse as the community we serve.
The big question is this: We can change jobs. We can change desks. Can we change? And quickly enough?
Good News
Friday, December 7, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 3:46 PM
You know, every week Dale puts together many of the positive stories we covered that week. When I came to News10, I thought it a good franchise but didn't think much more about it. Good News has actually come to mean something for me. (And I think for many people in the newsroom.)
You and I have talked about the bad images and details that journalists have to wade through to tell a story. Details you likely never see/read. I didn't realize until this year that I wait for Friday and Good News on News10 at 5:00 and 11:00. I need it. I need to feel better about our community and all the great things we are doing here.
It's become something of a humorous aside in the Friday morning editorial meeting after really tough weeks: "man, I'm glad we've got Good News today," or "I hope Dale has enough for Good News today."
Maybe it is good for you in the same way that it is good for me and others I work with. I'll never underestimate how important Good News and positive storytelling are any more.
Stream on!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 11:15 AM
Wednesday night we had a good night at News10. We were the only television station to stream the red carpet arrivals to the California Hall of Fame induction ceremony. We were also the partner with the Museum & the Governor's Office to provide a stream of the arrivals and the ceremony.
Sam, the media critic from the Sacramento Bee, thought our webcast disasterous and said today in his blog, "compelling TV, it wasn't." He's right, it wasn't compelling television. We never intended to make compelling television. We intended to produce compelling online information. For my money, Jonathan Mumm, Brandon Atchison & Tom Wagner did just that. In fact, dozens upon dozens of people stayed with our webcast for the full hour. (And through the ceremony!)
But the real message of my blog today and our webcast last night is this: The ceremony and red carpet arrivals were not breaking news. In fact, these types of things are considered by most people to be "optional" viewing. Yet, our users showed a high level of interest in the information we offered and the way we offered it. Wednesday night we proved again that not only are we the standard for information gathering and delivery in northern California, we are meeting our community's current expectations and paving a new future for journalism.
Mark my words, not only will you see more of this ... you will see it done better and more creatively. And you will see News10 doing it first.
I'm a man of my word
Monday, December 3, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 11:35 AM
I love the Green Bay Packers. Have since I was very small. I never have a problem backing my Packers or owning it when they don't win a game. And I am a man of my word.
That is all the background you need to understand Friday. The then 10-1 Packers played the then 10-1 Cowboys of Dallas Thursday night. It was a game that promised to live up to the hype. So I made a bet with uber-Dallas fan Bryan May. If the Packers win, he wears my cheesehead foam hat on his head all day Friday. If Dallas wins, I wear his Cowboys helmet all day Friday. I was so certain of victory that I did not even consider that I might have to fulfill my half of the wager.
It was not a good game for my beloved Green Bay Packers.
But ... I keep my word every time I give it. When Bryan came in Friday afternoon, he got the idea to use our bet, and my partially encased head, in his sportscast at 6. I like Bryan a lot and really respect him, so if he thinks it would be good TV, I was game to try. (I haven't been in front of the camera in many, many years.) Below, you will see what came of my bet and Bryan's idea for a fun bit.
Upon reflection, I came off looking like an ass to Bryan. (Which I totally regret. I really like and have a lot of fun with Bryan.)
And check out Bryan's blog. He is really a good guy with good things to day.
Inappropriate?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 10:44 AM
We presented a story Tuesday (2 actually) about the proposed, and now approved, expansion of Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. We spoke with neighbors upset with the plan and a representative from Mercy who clearly has spent a lot of his time and effort dealing with this issue.
In the late afternoon we streamed the video version of Deborah Hoffman's story. Then a funny thing happen ... Deborah and online producer Claudia Johnson watched the video a separately and saw her story preceded by a paid advertisement for Mercy. They each felt uncomfortable and told us so.
Ed. note: Almost every video presented on news10.net is preceded by a short sponsorship.
So, does it look like Mercy influenced our news coverage if you see a Mercy ad then watch a story presented about Mercy?
The bottom line is that Mercy played absolutely no editorial role in this story (their comments on camera notwithstanding) ... but we made a decision to avoid even the appearance of impropriety and removed Deborah's video presentation from the online story.
Right move? Or too sensitive? Click on my email link above and let me know what you think.
BTW, another reason I really love what we are about at News10: I let our Sales Creative Services Director know about this yesterday. Today the General Sales Manager asked him to look into whether we can make sure some advertisements won't appear on some stories. In my career I have never heard of another Sales group taking such measures to maintain our integrity as an organization. You cannot imagine how fortunate I feel to work with such a group of people toward the common purpose of serving this community honorably.
What, me worry?
Monday, November 26, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 1:22 PM
You will likely never know who Peter Wright, Trevor Tamsen, Brian Walsh and Cristi Applegate are or what they do here at News10, but you should know what they did Saturday morning.
After working the night before and being out late afterwards Peter heard about the fire in Malibu. (Check here for the full story.) Trevor works overnights for News10 Good Morning but was also up Saturday. Both, after not being able to immediately reach a news manager*, raced in to the station to produce on-air story updates with Darla Givens.
Cristi was here that morning and filed stories on news10.net while Trevor and Peter worked the on-air bit. Brian, who was in control of our programming Saturday morning, dropped his tasks to help get us to air, sometimes with very short notice.
You know why I love News10 ... because people like Trevor, Peter, Cristi and Brian know how and when to serve our community without anyone having to tell them. Because people like them are passionate and will do whatever needs doing to get the job done. That's my highest compliment for anyone and this week, you all earned it.
*Ed. note: After working Thursday and Friday, I was with Mrs. Langley waaaaay out of cell phone range. Sorry for not helping you guys. Though, clearly I'm not as needed in our process as I would like my mother to think.
Holidays? What are those again?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 5:29 PM
You may not know it, but we cover news 365-366 days a year. There are no holidays. We're always here because it's our responsibility to you to serve whenever the need arises.
Okay, maybe that sounded hokey. (Trust me, it's true ... but yeah, I did sound hokey right there.)
Here's a reality: we expect to work a lot of holidays in our careers. Without knowing why, we enter the arena as journalists knowing we will spend a lot of time in the field or newsroom on holidays; on early mornings and sometimes for days at a time. For some reason, we all accept it. For an even more baffling reason, we're okay with it.
I am working Thanksgiving and the day after. Not one year of my career has passed that I have not missed Thanksgiving, Christmas or both. I can't remember the last time I took my actual birthday off. And really, I can't remember why. Most journalists will tell you a similar story.
I never question why we work holidays. Really. I mean, you are still out there, wanting to know what happened today. We can't take a day off. That's not in our cards. Sometimes big things happen. Stories you remember. Laci Peterson disappeared Christmas Eve 2002. Massive floods washed into our area New years Eve 2006. And those are just the ones I recall.
Thank goodness I married a woman who is okay with all of this! I love you my sweet.
Patterns in Media
Monday, November 19, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 2:34 PM
I am reading a book (I'm a bit chagrined to say which book ... so I won't) in which the author asserts that he reads thousands of news articles a day. Because he consumes so much media he says he detects patterns in how many mass media outlets present news. Bad patterns.
I'm not surprised. Sadly, I am partially responsible. Like anyone, I tend to focus my attention on things that interest me. Generally speaking, most people have opinions on those things and people of like mind tend to stick together and reinforce their own opinions. Not only that, you tend to use the same language. Well now apply that to journalism: what if we used similar language for different situations? That gets to the problem and potentially a bigger problem for us than we realize: If you've heard about one shooting, you've heard about them all.
It's a growing perception among those we serve. Every crime sounds the same; every political story; every feel-good-story-about-the-dog-and-his-boy.
Many in our industry will tell you that established media outlets are losing audience because Americans have a shorter attention span and they can get it quicker online.
What if that assertion is not precisely correct? What if people feel like they've heard it before and tune out when we start saying the same thing they've heard before? What if the reason online journalism is growing in popularity is because there are new voices. LOTS of new voices. And they aren't saying things people have always heard. In a matter of fact, they are challenging, and sometimes mocking, they way things have always been.
So what if we have it all wrong? What if the audience isn't changing what they want as much as we think they are? What if they are just tired of the patterns we've established?
Sorry, this news feels too "soft".
Friday, November 16, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 1:51 PM
Sorry I have not posted in a week (It's been a busy week for me!) so I will pick up on the thread I wanted to chase last Friday. I was in a conversation with several colleagues about how "news" is defined as "hard news" and everything else is "feature."
This is an interesting distinction that is prevalent in every newsroom. "News" is the search for a missing girl; a criminal on the loose; things of that nature. Not a program at a school that is teaching kids English with a very high success rate.
I am used to saying unpopular things but my next statement got eye rolls and wild gesticulation! Everything is news. It is because it's happening in my neighborhood/community/block. I think we still have too narrow a definition of "news" ... and we are not alone. I won't bore you with the details of the debate that took place next.
I say this to let you know that these types of valuable conversations are still going on inside News10. We don't assume we know it all. (As an organization.) I just thought you should know that we still talk about what we do and how we do it. And how we do it better for you.
Bill Bellamy, meet Karen Massie
Friday, November 9, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 4:57 PM
Okay, I was going to post today on a conversation I had about "hard" news and if it's different than "news" or "information", but we interrupt this blog to bring you one of the funniest things I have witnessed in a long time.
There we were, debating stories in our editorial meeting this morning, when Karen Massie looked up at the television in our conference room and saw Guy and Kristen interviewing comedian Bill Bellamy on "Sacramento & Co.". (A show produced and hosted at News10 and airing on News10.)
Karen then did something I've not seen from her in 3+ years: she got giddy. Apparently she is a big fan of Bellamy's. A BIG fan. She was so excited that we all urged her to go to the studio and meet him. She didn't immediately go, but instead sat for a while longer ... fidgeting ... and glancing at the television. Karen then did something else I had not seen: she got embarrassed.
I tell you it was one of the most charming things I had seen in a long while.
Many of us kept encouraging her to go to the studio. She sat in silence for a few more seconds then stood up straight out of her chair and made her way to the door of the conference room, letting us all know, "I gotta go put on my lipstick!"
There was not a dry eye in the house with the laughter that followed that gem! We didn't see Karen again until ...
Yeah, you're gonna have to click here to see what happened next. (Then click on the video link "Bill Bellamy gets a visit from Karen Massie.)
The challenge: Now be everywhere.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 12:12 PM
As we were debating stories to cover this morning in our editorial meeting, it occurred to me that more and more I find myself thinking, "We need to be there."
I have alluded within this space to the need for us to embrace community content as a way to be a lot more places. But the same questions (for me and for News10) remain: How do we showcase them? How do we work them into our news generation? Who is watching these entries or checking them for facts? How do we vet good contributors?
Today we did not cover 1 story in Stockton, another in Lodi and 2 in Sacramento that all are decent community stories. Simply put: we covered 30 things and ran out of ways to get the information on the other 4.
Something occurred to me while I was interviewing someone today (for one of our open postitions): What happens when you have a question about something we are not covering? Where do you go to find the information? Example: police helicopters are orbiting your neighborhood. If it's not on anyone's website, how do you find out what's going on? Wouldn't it be cool to leverage the connections News10 has with law enforcement? I'm not sure how to do that, but I know this: it is the next thing you will be asking for. Immediate information delivery. Talk about a tall order.
You may be tired of hearing me talk about this and not solving it, but I guess the point of this blog is to show the things we wrestle with ... warts and all. Good news: we are trying to figure this out.
The phone isn't always our friend.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 10:39 AM
Journalists tend to use the phone a lot. If in the field, the cell is always on. In the newsroom, the phone is always ringing.
Lately, we've been catching more than our share of abusive callers. I mean, there's always one or two people who are upset with us for one reason or another. (You might be surprised how often angry people call a newsroom.) But for the past couple of weeks ... MAN!
I have a lot of empathy for Carla, who answers the main line into News10, and for our assignment editors. You might think that the assignment editors are working all day long to set up stories, chase down facts, listen to police scanners. In fact, probably 1/3 of their time is spent dealing with questions like:
Why is my soap opera not on?
Why does the TV Guide have the wrong listing?
Why is my DISH TV not working?
Do you have the number for channel (3, 13, 40)?
Can you tell the police to get my Ferrari out of impound?
Seriously, all of those questions come from actual phone calls. (I know because I also help pick up calls to the assignment desk.) And we pick up every call because you never know from where or from whom a story will come. Which leaves people open to having to handle the rude and abusive in our community.
Lately, calls from people who just want to be abusive have set a new standard for frequency. I mean, they just call up and yell and curse at whomever picks up the phone. Our assignment editors and Carla are all very professional and courteous. Even the most abusive person is dealt with politely. Which can really wear on the person who takes the call.
So please, when you call News10, please have some empathy for the person at the other end of the phone. They likely just hung up with someone who just wanted to dump on them.
A job well done (by others)
Monday, November 5, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 1:09 PM
I tend not to pay too much attention to awards and the seeking thereof (I haven't applied for any ever so I probably just don't get it.) but some honors are worth my weight in gold. One is the award given Friday to this newsroom by the National Marrow Donor Program.
The National Marrow Donor Program gave News10 the honor for Excellence in Local Media for our dedication to helping others with our annual News10 Blood Donor Day, and particularly with the series of stories we told about Trevor Kott. (You can click here to see some of the stories we did about this little baby who needed a bone marrow transplant. Or just Redwire "Trevor" for a lot more stories.) Though Trevor did not find a donor in time to save his life, thousands of northern Californians were as touched by Trevor as we were and signed up to be marrow donors. His story and the story of his parents touched our entire community and you all responded.
John Larimoreand Deborah Hoffman accepted the award in Minneapolis Friday on behalf of News10. They told most of the stories about Trevor and his mother and father's fight to keep him alive. John and Deborah followed all the developments in a way no one else did. The Kotts became our cause and became your cause.
So when you ask me which award this newsroom has received that I am most proud of, the Emmys for Best Newscast, AP awards for Best Website and individual craft awards will not jump first to my mind. It will be the award that was given for acting with our community to save one young life. An action that, thanks to the thousands of you who signed up to be a marrow donor, will likely save others.
It's Rough All Over
Thursday, November 1, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 11:34 AM
Since Dan Adams recommended "Blogging the Grid" to me a couple of months ago as a worthwhile site to read, I have kept up with the posts of former Bee reporter David Barton.
Saturday Barton posted a lengthy opinion on why the Bee is not in the best place right now. While the internal intrigue is very interesting, I was struck by a couple of things Barton talked about. I'm paraphrasing, but: 1) The Bee isn't visionary enough; and 2) The company doesn't communicate well with it's own staff.
These issues are by no means unique to the Bee. News10 faces these issues. I daresay most newsrooms and media companies have faced these issues.
I'll work backwards: It is impossible to emphasize communication enough. Especially within a newsroom. Newsrooms are full of people who question everything, are typically aggressive and typically have egos about what they do. Not communicating with journalists can be trouble for any media company. Having run into this, and still occasionally dealing with this, my policy is to, when possible, look someone in the eye to tell them something. (I also do what I developed with my wife some years ago: Ask what they heard or repeat back what I heard them say.) I am not always successful. (Hey, I can admit I still have a lot to learn and be consistent about.)
Now the vision part. That's a very personal challenge for me. It's not only part of my job to look for the next big way to distribute our information, it's something I truly enjoy. I often feel like I'm missing something so I always scan our world for new theories, techniques, products, etc. But are companies as a whole looking out for this? Usually not. Most have one or a few people designated to look for new ways to build their business. I'm not sure most employees feel like they have a stake in their company's future success. My experience is that most people focus on their job, which I get, and not on how their job will look 5 years from now.
I will say that I am lucky to be surrounded at News10 by several people who do look for the future when they get a chance. (I just got a mail from promotions manager Kevin Hale that underscores this point. Kevin is always looking for the "new.")
Companies can really take advantage of the sheer numbers of people they employ. Let everyone who works in your building know how important their future job is and get them doing research as well. heck, most of the time it's just cruising the internet and asking questions. Then you magnify the force you bring to bear on business development. Encourage all ideas. We all win.
Boo ... At work?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 11:40 AM
Hey ... it's Halloween and the ghouls and goblins are out ... in the station.
Yes, apparently it's act-like-you're-8 day for thousands of Americans. Now I've never bought into the adults-wearing-costumes thing (so tonight are you gonna de-case one of your pillows, hit the sidewalk and start hustling candy from people old enough to be you?) but I suppose we all have to put up with it.
I'm not saying "boo humbug", just please someone tell me why this is an acceptable look today------------------------------------------->
BTW, that's me with a "press release" from Nike from a few years ago. Seriously, they sent that as a press release. (I only feel like that some days.)
Just somebody please tell me: Why? Why the costume? And please don't hit my porch tonight if you're over 13 ... you're gonna get run.
Ouch.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
posted by Michael Langley at 10:20 PM
I often read Sam McManis' article and blog on the Sacramento Bee's website. (In the interest of full disclosure: Sam and I have emailed a couple of times and I am generally a fan of his blogging. Hey, he posts almost daily and seems to get the power of that presentation.) Anyway, I read his article Saturday about another newsroom using pre-packaged video news releases. That article was not nearly as disturbing to me (Sad, I know. Maybe it should be.) as one of the comments left by another reader. Below is an excerpt of a post left by thermo82:
Come on people, every news program is a tool for whoever can help promote their ratings. The news organizations aren't there to educate you on what's going on in the world, they're there to make money, bottom line....<
