TV Q&A: Why do TV stations send reporters into harm’s way?
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Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.
Q: For the longest time, I’ve thought that it is wrong for local news channels to possibly put field reporters in harm’s way (e.g. near an ongoing hostage situation; on the side of the road in icy conditions).
Never was the lack of regard for the reporters and camera crews’ safety so evident as during the East Palestine train derailment with reporters “out of the danger zone” with black smoke pluming in the background.
On WPXI’s evening newscast, Amy Hudak was near East Palestine and Pete DeLuca was on the Beaver Valley side of the river. When the anchors went to the reporter for the live report, almost immediately the reporter said the smoke was coming their way and they were going to move to a safer area farther away as they were experiencing symptoms including breathing difficulties. But the anchors kept them on, asking them questions and having them rehash much of what they already said in earlier segments.
Let them get out of there!
How much is a story worth? Drone shots would give a very thorough view of what is happening in these dangerous situations.
I think much more concern for employee safety needs to be shown by our local news outlets and network and cable news.
— Dave, Clarion
Rob: Dave raises a legitimate concern that deserves a response. WPXI general manager Kevin Hayes, news director Scott Trabandt, Hudak and DeLuca did not respond to this question from this WPXI viewer.
There will always be tension in the get it first vs. get it right vs. get it safely approach to newsgathering. One hopes that local stations prioritize the safety of their staffs and getting the story right over being the first to report it.
I reached out to Poynter.org and the Committee to Protect Journalists to see if they could provide some best practices for TV reporters in such situations. Both declined.
I did find a Safety Guide for Journalists by Reporters Without Borders and a section on covering natural disasters and epidemics was the closest analogue to this situation. It advises:
• Learn as much as you can about the type of disaster (hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, chemical spill, etc.) you are going to cover. Ensure you have appropriate insurance.
• Ensure you have conducted an in-depth risk assessment and are prepared to ‘survive’ in this challenging hostile environment.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and gear and ensure that you and your crew are adequately trained to live and work in these conditions.
• Make sure the news desk knows where you are and what you intend to do. If you move locations then let them know. Ensure they have other local contacts in case you go missing.
• Make sure you take something to wash yourself if there is no water, such as wet wipes or baby wipes. Ensure you maintain your personal hygiene so you don’t get sick and ensure you know the location of the nearest hospital or medical facility.
Q: I saw a news story on WTAE-TV regarding a 9-year-old boy in Bucks County who graduated from a charter high school. When the report started, anchor Elena Laquatra stated that the story was from our sister station with no further information on what sister station did the report. This type of reporting is incomplete and the sister station who created the story should be given the credit they deserve for it.
Is this a new trend among local news organizations … to not state the name of the “sister station” in a report? Or was it simply a mistake?
— Joe, Pittsburgh
Rob: I think it was likely sloppy writing. Going by WTAE’s ownership, Hearst, there is only one Hearst sister-station in Pennsylvania, WGAL-TV in Lancaster, which covers Bucks County.
Q: Whatever happened to the show “Alaska Daily?”
— Tim, Ligonier
Rob: “Alaska Daily” had its midseason finale in December. It was supposed to return for the final five episodes of its first season on Feb. 23, but ABC pushed it back to 10 p.m. March 2.
I like the show, but the ratings have been middling – as have the delayed playback ratings gains — and certainly being away for two months won’t help its ratings when it returns. I’m not confident it will get a second season.
“Alaska Daily” remains the now-rare broadcast drama that’s more character-driven and less procedural. The March 2 episode is more heightened than most as Eileen (Swank) is held hostage in the newsroom by an aggrieved reader fueled by misinformation. Even so, it’s sadly a worthwhile story to tell in this day and age. Of local note, through the hour we learn Eileen’s father was a steelworker in Youngstown, Ohio.