[STN-Affiliates] Life's lessons

[Janet Kerby]

Pam,
extremely well said.

Janet Kerby, NBCT
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dixon-Gayle, Pam 
  To: Deborah Barnes ; affiliates at studenttelevision.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 4:36 PM
  Subject: Re: [STN-Affiliates] Life's lessons


  Here is how I handled stuff like this during my reporter days, granted we were basically a one station market and our only real competition was the newspaper the next day.

  I feel it depends on each individual story and how bad you want the interviews, how far you go to satisfy someone. Some people just want to feel comfortable with what you are going to ask and not be put on the spot. Some just want to be prepared. In that case, I would give them a "general idea" of what I want to ask or what I want to talk about, but not the exact wording of the questions, just enough to satisfy them. Then when I actually did the interview, I might throw in some other questions during the interview or just get more specific. It's really a taped "conversation" and unexpected questions tend to pop in your head anyway on the spot.

  Now if it's not a big deal of a story (routine, not controversial) and it makes no difference in the outcome of the story, I might let them know more specifically what some of my questions will be. If it's an investigation or expose, I would just ask them for a response or their side to whatever the issue is and leave it at that. There's always that "he didn't want to comment on camera" line. I can't recall anyone ever pointing out that I didn't ask them word for word exactly what I said I would, and I don't think they even noticed I asked twice as many questions.

  I don't think there is one way to handle every story. And a power play isn't likely to get you far. We generally don't write scripts ahead of time anyway, so that should be a moot point. I can see where people might be overly sensitive to being part of a news story that involves the abuse of minors. I don't know the angle of your story, but if it's a regular story on the services of this center, then I would have talked to the one who wrecked the story in a patient, calm and understanding manner (regardless of how I felt) and then try to address it with the executive director the same way. Also if you can convince them how the agency and the children will benefit, you may get more cooperation. People tend to soften up if they see what's in it for them.

  I think you can be flexible without giving up your journalistic integrity.

  Pam Dixon Gayle
  Academy TV
  Lake Charles-Boston Academy of Learning
  Lake Charles, LA
  (337) 217-4390 ext. 5328
  pam.dixon-gayle at cpsb.org


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  From: affiliates-bounces at studenttelevision.com [affiliates-bounces at studenttelevision.com] On Behalf Of Deborah Barnes [deborahbarnes at comcast.net]
  Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 2:46 PM
  To: affiliates at studenttelevision.com
  Subject: [STN-Affiliates] Life's lessons


  Ok...so I thought I would share a situation with all of you for feedback...
  We agreed to do a story/documentary on a local children’s center that deals with abused kids.  My student producer set up an interview time with several folks, including our district attorney.  The producer hands me her cellphone to hear a message from the children’s center development manager.  This woman is asking for a list of questions, the student script, and then...tells our producer she has called to cancel the interview with the district attorney until she gets all of this information first.

  Talk about making me mad.  I first call the D.A.s office ...who has worked with us on numerous projects...and explain to his secretary what we are doing on this story and she says she will make sure the interview is on as planned.
  I call the development manager and inform her we are a legitimate news organization and will NOT be giving her a copy of our script or questions ahead of time.  And, I ask to speak with her Executive Director....the same woman who worked with me originally on our kids doing this project.  She says she will leave her a message.
  I have informed my administrator (who will be backing us up) and our district’s public relations director.  Still...you should have seen the kids in class as I was talking to the development manager on the phone.



  Deborah Barnes
  Broadcasting and Digital Media Instructor
  Sabin-Schellenberg Center - NCSD
  14450 SE Johnson Road
  Milwaukie, OR  97267
  503 353-5909



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