Friday, June 03, 2005

Groundswell for Starbucks

The difference in approaches between the local TV stations was again pointed out clearly during the 5 p.m. newscasts of KOAM and KSNF (if you consider Live with Gary and Tiffany to be a newscast.)
Brad Douglas on KSNF did a piece with the operators of the soon-to-open Starbucks in Joplin, and examined how the company makes its justly well-known coffee. Nothing wrong with the piece, and, as usual with Douglas, it was well done.
Meanwhile, KOAM's Jerod Clark took the Starbucks story and examined the affect it will have on the business landscape in Joplin, talking with owners of other coffee houses in the city. He also was able to get in the information that a Starbucks will be coming to Pittsburg soon.
I preferred the KOAM approach, simply because it posed some questions that needed to be asked, even though, obviously there will be no answers until Starbucks has been in business for a while. Then we will see what effect it has on other, similar, businesses.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Randy,
I know you're a big supporter of KOAM and never speak ill of them. But curious what your thoughts are about the fact they continue to report the 14 year old shot the 8 year in Alba. Despite the fact the police chief continues to say he will not confirm or deny that this is true. And the Chief also says he has no proof that its true. Which is why he says the 14 year old is not in custody at this time.
The chief told KSN that neither he nor the Jasper County Sheriff confirmed their information. Doesn't this sound like irresponsible reporting?

Randy said...

Possibly...if KOAM does not have a reliable source to base that story on. There are many times when reporters, simply by checking with a number of people other than the top law enforcement people can come up with solid information. I used to irritate some top public officials by coming up with information that they did not want released at that time. (I still irritate some top public officials, but that is beside the point.) That being said, I have no way of knowing whether this is what is going on with KOAM or if the station has made some mistakes. If anyone has any information, let me know.