Despite the advertising by KSN, veteran anchor Jim Jackson, who has been with the station for more than a quarter of a century, has not covered more than 50,000 stories. What he has done, and done as effectively as anyone in the Joplin market has ever done, has been to give his viewers an anchor they can trust and rely on to grasp the importance of the news stories he reads to his audience (and he has read more than 50,000 of them).
Jackson has had his chance to shine during the coverage of the triple murder at the First Congregational Church in Neosho Sunday. It has to be a story that has more than the usual effect on Jackson, a Neosho native, since it took place in the heart of a downtown he has loved for more than 50 years.
Having Jackson in the field allowed viewers to know just how seriously this story is being taken by KSN. For years, Jackson's experience and smooth, professional delivery have helped cover up holes in KSN's news department.
The department has been much improved as of late, but as today shows, Jackson, is still the glue that holds a younger staff together.
We have had numerous chances to see his co-anchor, Tiffany Alaniz, in the field over the years and she is still a top reporter, which was how she got her start on KSN (and Ms. Alaniz did top-notch work covering the Neosho murders), but it was still great to see an old pro in action.
(KSN Photo of Jim Jackson and Tiffany Alaniz interviewing David McCracken. Check out their interview on the Four States Home Page.)
I think having Jackson and Alaniz there interviewing the Neosho Police Chief was too much. Jackson should have conducted the interview by himself. If Alaniz wanted to be live she should have another interview lined up like a witness or church official. Tag teaming the Chief and taking turns asking questions was minor league stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing KSN has going for them is Jim Jackson.Tiffany needs to go back to being the Gadget Girl!
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