Every time some asshead with a gun… you know, either a psychotic loner or a religious zealot… shows up somewhere… you know, like a school or any crowded, public setting… and starts trying to ‘fix what is wrong with society’ by spraying bullets into other human beings, the 24-hour news networks go into overdrive.
The thing is… you knew there would be a thing here, didn’t you?… that, just moments after the ‘shots fired’ reports start appearing, the news networks DON’T HAVE THE SLIGHTEST IDEA WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING YET!!!
How many times have we all watched this? News crews standing near some ongoing scene of horror, speculating wildly on all the possible details of what is still happening. When did speculation and guessing become news? It might be a lone gunman… there might be multiple shooters… a depressed loner… terrorist extremists… all tied loosely together with details… that aren’t always correct… as they trickle in… the rising body count… and so on and so on…
This over-coverage of these tragedies has led to a new phenomenon… the premature press conference. Why do we make police and government and emergency responder officials stand at a podium, often before the gun-totting perpetrator or perpetrators have even been stopped, and start giving us information that they either do not have yet, or can’t discuss… because it might be useful to the shooter or shooters to find out what the first responders are up too. Don’t these officials have something they could be doing besides feeding the never-ending hunger of the networks.
And yes, by all means, feel free to block all the streets with news crews and equipment, fill the sky with choppers, and just generally get in the way. And seriously, if you ask one more witness how watching people get gunned down made them feel, you should have your press pass revoked.
Why don’t you just go back to what you usually fill the endless void of time on the airwaves with… terrifying people about Ebola and ISIS in-between mind-numbing coverage of Washington bureaucrats not getting anything done and trying to pass the blame onto the other party.
Pouring My Art Out 
For once I totally agree with you!
yay
Jimmy Fallon does a thing on Late Night where he uses local news people to read “fake” news. The segment is called “Good News and Good News” It’s pretty funny.
I keep falling asleep before that show comes on.
I refuse to watch that shit anymore. Every time I do watch, I just feel embarrassed for the reporters.
Good point about the speculation. I suppose going live when the killers are still running around makes the ratings real pretty.
At least they have something to speculate about.
I like your sense of optimism.
I just fake it
Haha 😉 yeah maybe i do too..
As long as nobody can tell the difference, we might as well.
A worthy rant, Art. There used to be a time when TV news reporters were satisfied with just reporting the news. Now there seems to be a need to embellish, sensationalize, and, when there are gaps, fill in those gaps with wild, unsubstantiated speculation. It’s due, I believe, to the proliferation of 24 hour cable news channels and the need for cable and on-air news reporters to compete for viewers. How refreshing would it be for a TV news reporter to say, “Here are the details we have right now. That’s all we know at this time. We’ll get back to you when we know more”?
That would work for the weather people too…
“Someone spotted a rain drop in the Mission District. Authorities have called out the national guard. The governor is suggesting that everyone run to the survival store and stock up on your gear. Witnesses are reporting that a gang of raindrops are falling to the ground, causing widespread dampness. This is not a drill. Stay indoors if you don’t need to be outside.”
uh… that actually happens in Southern California…
This is hilarious and also applies to the “maybe” snowstorm where they predict from 2-22 inches of snow.
when they say 50% chance of rain, it means they have no idea, and if they are only right half of the time, that would be a 50% chance of a 50% chance of rain…
I can remember many times when I lived in the northeast when schools were canceled for the next day based upon the weather forecasts of frantic TV meteorologists calling for heavy snow. And when the next day arrived, there was often either no snow or perhaps just a dusting. Or sometimes it warmed up enough for it to come down as rain.
Always best to panic early and avoid the rush.
Totally spot on as usual. Let’s create a new level of sensationalism and watch the masses panic. Reason 58340912386 why I don’t have a tv.
That’s showing them!
Maybe or not, but at least I’m not feeding from their trough.
well said
Hark! Do I detect a note of cynicism?
What… from me???
I like this and I agree with you.