What this business is "really" about!

Hello Anyone that may be reading this blog. (probably no one but I like to dream.)

I have wanted to write one of these for a couple years now. A T.V. reporters life is a crazy one and the people that watch us see something totally different then what really goes on. So I thought this would be a good way to let people "Inside" a bit.

I have been reporting for about 5 years now... starting off a my college in Southern California then making my rounds in a small market, producing in a bigger market then doing cable in a big market.

Through the years I have learned so much about what this business is about. As many of you probably know, there are so many in this business that are in it for what I call "the wrong reasons"... to be on T.V. Its been a struggle to compete against those people but somehow I am slipping through. I am not tiny, I weigh over 125lbs (shocking in this biz) and I do not shop every other day. I continue in this line of work because I believe in journalism and, as corny as it may sound I believe that knowledge is power and I have an outlet to inform people of whats going on.

So, here's a question I am always asked, or accused of... Something like this, "You people report what you want!, its all propaganda." Here's the answer... Yes, we report what we want and everyday numerous meetings take place to discuss what we will cover. Those meetings are filled with people from all walks of life and more often then not, there are disagreements, red faces and people walk out pissed off because we are covering something they don't think should be covered. The main questions you have to ask yourself is "Is it news worthy?" And will people be affected or interested in the story.
Is it propaganda? No... One thing everyone needs to remember is there are laws and regulations that prevent us from doing certain things.

Throughout this blog there may be days that I talk about what is going on here at the station and there may be days where I rant or rave about my life. I guess the point of this is not only for me to have an outlet to get things off my brain but for others to see another side of broadcast journalism.

I hope someone out there will find this interesting.