10-12-06
Belated MEDIA COLUMN



For some odd reason the blogger.com gods have been in Betty Ford for the past week. Reportedly the problem is now solved and we can get back to the job of cracking on the media!


Locally (Knoxville, Tennessee) our leader in TV news carried the Ford Jr./Corker debate live from Chattanooga and then did an analytical analysis of the bitch-fest on their local cable channel.

The feces hit the rotating cooling unit when Jr's buds showed up for the (cable) show and Corker's didn't. I didn't see the debate dissection (the bunker only uses cable for the net) but apparently the ONE sidedness was so bad their (WBIR) news director had to suit up and apologize! Here is what he said.


We have heard from many viewers regarding our special coverage following Tuesday night's debate between Bob Corker and Harold Ford, Jr. Many people at WBIR play a part in shaping our news coverage, and all of them have a voice in our editorial decisions. However, the final decisions -- and the responsibility for them -- are mine.
Last night, we made a mistake. After we broadcast the Senate debate, we brought you 30 minutes of discussion and analysis.
This segment included our anchor, another journalist, and a supporter of Harold Ford, Jr., but no supporters of Bob Corker. That wasn't right.
This happened because of some last-minute changes, some of which were beyond our control. But while that's an explanation, it's not an excuse.
Last night was a failure of planning and judgment. I take full responsibility, and I apologize to all of you for it.
Part of the Code of Ethics that hangs on our newsroom wall mandates that we "present a diversity of expressions, opinions, and ideas in context."
I am proud to say that 10News has done exactly that with our daily political coverage, our "Heart of the Matter" segments, and the debates that we have organized and aired locally.
We will correct the mistakes made Tuesday night, and I pledge to you that we will work harder than ever before to make sure you can rely on us for political coverage that is fair, unbiased, and straight from the heart.

So what in the name of Rush FLEMball did all that mean? I had Daniel (the biblical dude who figured out dreams) cut it up for us.



"We have heard from many viewers regarding our special coverage following Tuesday night's debate between Bob Corker and Harold Ford, Jr."

LORD HELP THOSE REPUBLICAN'S ARE PISSED!


"Many people at WBIR play a part in shaping our news coverage, and all of them have a voice in our editorial decisions."

A boat load of folks I don't like should be fired and their homes and barns burned to the ground!


"However, the final decisions -- and the responsibility for them -- are mine."
Key word here is THEM! Sure I hired those dweebs and I should have been kinda like WATCHING the situation, but I can make it right by taking a modicum of the responsibility as I toss them all under the bus. No hold on, I just did that in my statement! Dang it is good to be king!!


"Last night was a failure of planning and judgment. I take full responsibility, and I apologize to all of you for it."
TWO key words here... NIGHT and PLANNING.. Hey it was at NIGHT, I am management, when the sun goes down I am like Dracula burning rubber in the parking lot and headed to the box in my basement! Oh, and sure I may have signed off on the plan, but I am involved with the big picture, not something as small as planning an equal debate analysts!

"Part of the Code of Ethics that hangs on our newsroom wall mandates that we "present a diversity of expressions, opinions, and ideas in context."
I just tossed this in cause at this point we were just about 14 seconds into the on air read and those still watching love to hear we have crap nailed to the wall, especially crap that has words like ETHICS in it!


"I am proud to say that 10News has done exactly that with our daily political coverage, our "Heart of the Matter" segments, and the debates that we have organized and aired locally." SEE the earlier KEY WORD (daily) is back! It says I work in the sun-damn-shine not at night! Oh the rest is a reference to Bill (a real news guy who is leaving if not already gone) and his good work in fact checking Jr. And Corker.


We will correct the mistakes made Tuesday night, and I pledge to you that we will work harder than ever before to make sure you can rely on us for political coverage that is fair, unbiased, and straight from the heart." At 28.5 deep into the read bout all left watching are those in the home who have to be assisted to pee or a handful of STILL mad republicans taking notes. Tossing out the words fair and unbiased is the same as a half court shot at the buzzer, heck not a living or dead person in the gym thinks it will go in, but they all kinda like the fact you tried! Oh on second thought using STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART was kind of a slip. Still it is worth it, because a few of those waking back up just MIGHT think the HeartLand series is up next..and we all know they love that guy in the plaid shirt!