Is Your Expert Being Paid to Hawk a Product?

I ran across a disturbing article in the Washington Post (came across it via ProPublica). Basically, the article says some of the experts you have coming on your shows... could have financial interests that compel them to push certain products. The Post highlights the case of one consumer "expert" who was pushing a security product for kids-- when she was being paid by the makers of the security product she pushed. The article is frightening, definitely worth a read-- looks like the practice is fairly widespread.

We know how it happens. You have a 2:00 hole to fill and company XYZ, whose rep is super savvy, offers up a timely, fun --good TV-- segment that's a no brainer to put in your show. But are you asking the right questions when you're setting up the segment? Namely, are you asking the guest: "Do you have a financial connection to any of the products or companies you're promoting in this segment?" Your viewers deserve better than watching essentially a 2:00 commercial. They deserve your extra effort to make sure the product or products being recommended are being done so gratis. Ditto so many of the satelitte interview oppotunities that come across your desk (also mentioned in the Post piece).

The line in TV is being blurred. Many stations have paid programming shows that look an awful lot like morning shows except the guests have paid to take part. At the end of the show, there's usually some disclosure. Disclosed or not, paid segments or products have no place in newscasts. I'm guessing the majority of these just slide by because producers are more and more harried, being asked to do more with less. But there are PLENTY of people who want to be on TV to give their opinions without being paid by some company to do so.

Plagiarism is not the Sincerest Form of Flattery

So here's why you always want to rewrite "suggested intros." Not only because you are producer and it is your JOB... but also because not doing so could land you on Conan. Guessing that's what happened here.

The link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GME5nq_oSR4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Ouch.
(With thanks for the clip to consultant Doug Drew.)

**Update: Someone posted on Doug's FB page that the story was part of a Newspath pkg-- and producers grabbed the script Newspath sent.

If I can rant just a bit further... You see why your future is golden as a producer? So much of your potential competition for that next job won't even rewrite an intro. It is so discouraging to see producers (from how many markets in that clip?) just phoning it in.

Production Crews and Breaking News

I (not so recently-- sorry for being a slacker) received an email from a producer having trouble getting her production crews on board for breaking news cut-ins. Here's the advice I offered her...

Production crews generally didn't sign up for the news aspect as much as the television aspect of things. Does that make sense? What I'm getting at is-- you and I are probably stoked because of breaking news... the thrill is why we got in/stay in. For production crews, there's a different pay-off for their work. Try to figure out what that is and emphasize it. Why do they do what they do? What thrills them?

Also, a lot of crews generally feel under-appreciated. So every time there's breaking news and they've done a good job, I'd make a point to say that. Go around and say thank-you to everyone. Emphasize how much you apreciate their effort and how each of their individual contributions helped make your on air product really work. It doesn't hurt to bring in treats every once in a while either! So maybe if there's been a bunch of breaking news or a particularly hectic week, bring in some treats and say--"I know this week has been killer... just want to say thanks!!"

Finally, I found production crews to be a great resource in a number of different ways. Since many don't follow news minute by minute like those on the editorial side, they can give you a fresh perspective/good feedback on your newscasts. Listen to the comments made in the booth during a show. If they didn't get something or thought something didn't work.. chances are their views are more in line with your viewers. A second great way they can help is.. since many come from a production side of things, they've worked on non-news stuff. That experience can add something to your newscasts. Ask for their opinions about set positions... trying new things.. graphics... etc.

TV News Less Diverse?

There's a new study out looking at share agreements and their impact on TV news. The theory is that if we're all sending someone to get the Mayor's groundbreaking ceremony, why not just send one photog and share the video? How different is that than a courtroom or any other pool?

In general I think these arrangements are a bad idea. The talents of each individual photographer on staff add a lot to make your newscast and product look unique. But I think the horse is out of the barn on this one. These agreements aren't going away so how do you make the best of them? I was out of local news before share agreements became popular. What do you guys think of them.

The study I mentioned was commissioned by a labor group so consider the source.

To Accept Free Stuff or Not to Accept Free Stuff?

Tickets. T-shirts. Meals. In TV, you get a lots of offers for freebies. Should you take it?

Let me start by saying I have a lot of good friends, good people, who disagree with me, think I'm off my rocker. That said, my feeling is this-- avoid even the appearance of impropriety. I don't like to take anything the general public wouldn't be offered. We know you wouldnt do a segment on the gym just because you got a free membership-- but what if you wanted to get an exercise expert, would you feel like you needed to call that gym? Slippery slope. Lot easier to make those decisions without having accepted stuff. 

Case in point. I did dirty restaurant reports for years. Once a month we did a restaurant that got a 100. Since it was usually lunchtime when we shot there, we'd eat there at our expense. One time I overheard a customer-- who saw us eating-- say oh now I know why they are here, implying we did a shoot for a free lunch. We started eating elsewhere after that. 

The media already has a bad rep. Why make it worse ?

East Coast Hurricane Coverage

Day late and a dollar short but... Someone asked whether I thought the coverage of the Hurricane Irene was overblown. I am ashamed to admit that at the start of the coverage, I remember myself saying something snarky like-- a Cat 1 is like a Cat 5 in terms of news coverage if it hits anywhere near NYC. This is because I work in the middle of the country and so I feel the news that happens here often gets ignored. I whine about it all the time. But in the case of Irene, I was wrong. Really wrong. Dozens of deaths, billions in damage and the worst flooding in Vermont's history can't be over covered.

Police Arrest Photog

You guys see this? What do you think?

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110920-fox6-photojournalist-arrested,0,6130946.story