A viewer who has had no access to other sources of information might ask what the big deal is about two schools deciding to continue providing the same services they have been providing, but not being affiliated with an organization that has had a high profile over the past few years.
It reminds me somewhat of the days when every school had a PTA chapter, than rather than paying dues to a national organization, we saw a flurry of PTOs (Parent-Teacher Organizations) being formed.
In this case, the changes had nothing to do with dues since Bright Futures USA only requires a one-time payment to join (and the first organizations to join did not have to pay anything). While both districts have made it clear that it will be business as usual as far the operation of their programs is concerned, what is not explored in this report is the role, if any, that the involvement of former Joplin R-8 Superintendent C. J. Huff has in the decisions of these districts to continue on their own and drop the name Bright Futures.
Huff's involvement also has other area school districts reconsidering their involvement with Bright Futures. This story is far from over.
Another thing that should be noted is the far more conciliatory tone that the Bright Futures USA spokesman took in this piece, compared to the flame throwing Mark Quinn has done recently. Quinn's accusations that Webb City R-7 Superintendent Tony Rossetti was "hijacking" the program and thereby hurting children did not go over well.
Another thing that should be noted is the far more conciliatory tone that the Bright Futures USA spokesman took in this piece, compared to the flame throwing Mark Quinn has done recently. Quinn's accusations that Webb City R-7 Superintendent Tony Rossetti was "hijacking" the program and thereby hurting children did not go over well.
ReplyDeleteI can't possibly imagine why Quinn thought his public trashing of a school official would not cause others to conclude that having any relationship to Bright Futures was dangerous.
As someone who has worked in the media for going on two decades, the idea that they are investigating and involved in the community is at best a marketing sham anymore. Youth has replaced experience, fewer bodies and more work to produce means the curve of quality will only continue to go down. You will get some eye candy on tv, but if you compare the hardnosed investigators and storytelling of thirty years ago to today, you would immediately realize you are wasting your time ever turning on the news. I'm not sure it will ever get better during our lifetimes either, because once that knowledge has been lost, it will take at least a generation to return. It's especially bad in Joplin where they are a starter market.
ReplyDeleteYou dont now how bad it is working for Nextstar Broadcasting, (KODE/KSNF) until you've worked there.
ReplyDelete10:24, you are right. Another problem with local TV since my day in it: Local news used to be considered a public service, a money-loser. Then, someone figured out you could *make* money with local news. Now, it's a big business. Investigating prominent locals, angering them and their friends who advertise on your station, is not good business.
ReplyDeleteI miss Bob Phillips. Wonder what he'd make of all this.
Or maybe it's because no one really cares.
ReplyDeleteI stopped regularly watching KSN/KODE not long after I stopped reading the Globe. Watching their news programming or reading the local newspaper is time wasted in life that you'll never get back. KSN/KODE should rename their news programming to "Community Billboard" from "Local News". It's just advertising area activities and groups and occasionally throwing up the picture of the latest drug arrest. The local anchor for KSN can't seem to get through a single broadcast without fumbling over her words. Thanks KOAM/FOX 14 and Randy Turner for providing what local coverage we have.
ReplyDeleteI don't think KODE missed the story behind the break from Bright Futures USA. They just didn't want to cover it for fear of upsetting any local big shots/advertisers.
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