Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Comments flowing in about Globe, local TV

Sometimes Turner Report readers don't see some comments that have been made on earlier posts, so I thought I would reprint a few of those, as well as comments I have received via e-mail:

On the subject of the new energy at KODE-TV:

Tom and I have always been faithful viewers of 16 News when they were not on tv anymore we started watching channel 12 news. I read your article about Dustin Lattemer who we have grown to really enjoy and I agree with you he is very talented, I noticed to your comment about the added energy they have had. I really feel like that energy comes from Brian Dorman.. We met Brian at Seneca Idol a couple of weeks ago and he was such a nice young man. He took pictures with my daughters and even signed their programs. I really feel like Dustin deserved recognition for what he has been doing but feel Brian really should be commended for his professionalism on tv and in person. We are just so happy to have met him and watch every night to see him. You're more than welcome to use my comments if you create a post.


About the Joplin Globe
:

I keep hoping they will release a pinup calendar when they get a dozen hot chicks on staff. Only 12 more to go!


My criticism of the Globe for being a little slow to get the news out about the arrests of two men in connection with the murders of Bob and Ellen Sheldon of Carthage drew the following comments:

Ang said...

Every time I read an "editorial" or blog post written by Carol Stark, I think about how much I miss Edgar Simpson. I'm sure he had faults and that there are valid criticisms of him, but at least he knew how to stir stuff up, keep elected officials and local law enforcement on their toes, dig deep for details, ask tough questions and ensure that he actually got the truth. She only writes fluff about fluff. The overall quality of most reporting has gone steadily and quickly downhill in recent years, too, and I realize that some of that is probably coming from the corporate office and policies of not pissing off advertisers. Still, when I read what passes for news articles in the Globe, it is often apparent that the reporter didn't even ask any follow-up questions or do any real investigating.

Stark's article today was about the Sheldon case--but it wasn't; actually, it was about how devastated the surviving family was in the wake of the tragedy. I don't mean to minimize their pain--I can only imagine how horrible it must be--but OF COURSE they're devastated! OF COURSE they're going to be devastated for quite some time! How is this news? The news in this case was the arrest of the suspects, but that was barely mentioned in her column today. In fact, almost everything Stark published in today's paper could have been written anytime after the murders happened.

Between worthless columns like this, slow breaking news (and few updates on breaking stories during the day), ridiculous blogs (half written by amateur writers, and that's being polite), and the letters to the editor that Stark decides to publish (despite the prevalence of racist, sexist, homophobic hate speech that can and does incite violence), the Globe isn't even good enough for lining my cat's litterbox. Given that the Globe's coverage area is so large and that the Joplin metro area includes something like 250,000, Stark is missing opportunities and failing to fill the role that a good, solid local newspaper ought to fill in our lives--and that's a shame.


And this one from Globe blogger Anson Burlingame:

Mr. Turner, This is my first time reading your blog. I will now have to check back more often. I strongly disagree both in specifics and on broader terms with what your and your commenters have written.

First, which is more important a 1 minute sound bite or several articles and one column thus far on the Sheldon case? The Globe has addressed much greater substance and depth in the Sheldon case than any TV newscast could possibly do. And more is yet to come I can assure you.

Second, Carol's leadership at the Globe is remarkable in my view. Name one issue (other than abortion) of local, national or international importance that has not been addressed in both news articles and in many cases editorials. There is not an issue of significance that the Globe has not met head on. You may not agree with the positions taken editorially but taken they have been for sure.

Carol usually stays above the fray in print and lets editorials, guest columns and letters provide the opinions. That does not mean that she does not have strong opinions that are far from "fluff". She simply allows a wide variety of people to write them.

Ed Simpson was THE Globe for sure. Carol on the other hand provided the freedom for the Globe to reflect a much wider depth and breadth of opinion that it used to provide. The community is much better for it as a result.


And this one:


Who has started to dig into the alleged killers' backgrounds to see what makes them tick?

Answer: Nobody, to my knowledge.

Archie Dunn now says the killings just something that happened when the two were surprised. But how are you surprised out in the middle of the sticks late at night when two people drive up in a car?

(Of course, that doesn't mean the two are innocent.)

That story bears no similarity to Dunn's earlier statements that the murder was horrific because, in all probability, there was a personal animosity component to the crime.

Why do two kids steal a a gun and sell it and kill two old people with a knife? There are scores of interesting angles to this case that can be explored before the trial.

Where's Max McCoy when you need him?


And one who thought I was too kind to local TV
:

Good Night and Good Grief! said...

I'll agree that the Globe grows worse at a logarithmic pace, but you cannot actually defend the collection of half-baked witticisms, idiotic rhetorical questions, and faux-buddy arm chucks - interspersed with an occasional incoherent factoid, that passes for local TV news?

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