Deep Background for May 2012
The new month has the editorial staff at the Erie Times-News shaking their heads at the huge typo on Page 1 today above the fold. The headline “Unemployoment dips” was not only a glaring error to blurry-eyed subscribers over their morning joe, but was broadcast to the media world by critic and blogger Jim Romenesko, who quipped, “Why the Erie paper needs a copy editor.”
We discuss such incredulous moments in Erie media on this open forum, along with the success and news. To get in on the discussion, leave a comment below, or send me an e-mail, or tweet @pressandtower.
Embrace the chaos!
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Some things at the ETN never change! Front page screw ups and the anti Catholic ramblings of that Edinboro professor! Erie, what a town!
Seriously, I am sick of Erie media in general. When can I leave town?
Sean, I am confused. You link in your name here to a new blog called “Erie Growth” promoting & boosting the town so I’m assuming you are its owner. Yet according to your comment here, you’re anxious to toss in the towel and move away from Erie. Which is it ?
Also, with all the alternatives available now on the Internet, satellite, cable, etc. why even bother paying any attention to the established local media outlets if you find them so annoying ? Seems like a silly reason to want to leave town (granted, you might also have other more tangible reasons which I could understand).
FFT,
It is not “Erie Growth”, it is eriegrowth.
Write like a juvenile and you supersede the site.
I ran into the spot when I left Al Jazeera to get my news.
Google AJE. They are great, with former CIA folks spilling their guts as consultants/traitors/whatever.
2-5-7. This is not the Daily Number. This is the TOTAL posts in May days, 2012, at the media operation you falsely attribute to Sean.
Within the site, blue lettered eriegrowth seems to be the owner of all three posts.
ALL three could fit on Twitter, not WordPress.
Can we not take him at his word? He is “sick of Erie Media in general”, he is not annoyed. He wants to leave town. And our best seasons are beginning now. Bye.
Post 1: I am hear and will tell you the truth.
Post 2: I am open to discussion from anyone (ran out of his own truth in Post 1).
Post 3 WEP sold…a cop of Gerry Weiss’ article the day before at ETN, saying the West Erie Plaza is sold.
Here’s Weiss for full credit, as “The greatest WordPress.com site in all the land” failed to do, as their links fail anywhere:
http://www.goerie.com/article/20120506/NEWS02/305059897/West-Erie-Plaza-sold-to-local-group
But the blog cuts a full Weiss story to 5 sentences total. The whole post would fit on Twitter. The middle of 5 full sentences is this: “A historic investment.”
No verbs, no prepositions, no grammar, no information at all.
Can this be topped? Sure! Twice!
The link at the story does not work at all.
Go to the “About Page” and laugh yourself silly at “The greatest WordPress.com site in all the land” as they proclaim at a spot with three posts of perhaps less than 20 sentences total.
This is so rich in laughter making ability, I will cut/paste the entire “About Page” for all of you to get a laugh now: Ready? Set? GO!
ABOUT PAGE
“This is an example of a page. Unlike posts, which are displayed on your blog’s front page in the order they’re published, pages are better suited for more timeless content that you want to be easily accessible, like your About or Contact information. Click the Edit link to make changes to this page or add another page.”
— http://eriegrowth.wordpress.com/about/
WTF? Can this information qualify as “truth”? OMG I laughed at this guy.
And it is “Sean” here, but blue letter link called “eriegrowth” there.
TIP !!!
I would not click either, if you have a brain.
He gathers info on you, and says nothing about him.
Not a wise move for anyone to make on the Internet anymore.
Just let him be sick and let him leave. The three tweets, I mean posts, are all that you need to know that this is a spot to avoid.
Laughter TWO:
First post welcomes you, and has a sole COMMENT….HIM. What does he tell himself?
“I write stuff all the time.”
THAT is the whole, sole comment, FOM the author…… TO the author.
But read the Welcome post after you pee first.
Go ahead, reach your toilet and then, return for this news:
http://eriegrowth.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/welcome-to-the/
If it smells like a fish, it is a Phish.
Good luck to those who like to click names, and make assumptions.
Here is a short interview about the current state of journalism with the head of ‘News Products’ at Google (although he is speaking for himself, not in an official capacity) which I found quite interesting & prescient, and yes — even upbeat.
http://civic.mit.edu/blog/mstem/the-head-of-google-news-on-the-future-of-news
His main point as excerpted verbatim in the spirit of fair use: “The pace of technological change will not abate, and to think of our current time as a transition between two eras, rather than a continuum of change, is a mistake. There has been tremendous disruption in journalism, but there are upsides: everyone has a printing press, there are no gatekeepers [or at least new gatekeepers], and journalism can and will be better than in the past.”
Note the optimism in the last phrase.
I hope everyone takes a few minutes to read the interview (once again, it is relatively brief) and respectfully look forward to reactions to his thesis in reply from the P&T audience.
Dennis, am I being mocked?
I was looking to update the template. I only started a week ago.
Sorry for the comment about leaving town, as I got a little too passionate, because you know how much I love the local TV model.
Let me add some fuel to the fire… What do viewers want from local television news and other media outlets? Where are the shortcomings in accomplishing this? Sometimes, we expect things that aren’t necessarily obvious to the journalists working to serve Erie. Can we start this discussion with the basics and build our way up from there?
What do I want? I want the traditional who, what, where, when and why of stories that impact my life, and decision making. I would expect all five W’s, not two or three, and without either the writer’s opinion, or being told how I should feel about it, incorporated into the story.
Understood, CRANK. Any specific, recent examples you would like to reference so we can better understand where the local media’s weaknesses lie? Obviously, for the television stations, it’s sweeps time. Plenty of sweeps stories and series taking to viewer’s screens.
I would point to the coverage of the reassessments. Both 10 years ago and now. Up until it was mailed out, the coverage centered around fairness. Only after the mailing went out did the coverage start to illustrate the actual possible impacts upon people.
Ten years ago, those who expressed concern about the process being used to maximum effect for increasing revenues were dismissed, until exactly that happened. Then coverage changed. Remember, the Erie school district had to lower their assessed evaluation to below 100% after setting their millage rate so high it exceeded the maximum revenue increase allowed by law. Knowing what happened then, we should have seen more correlation between the process and the taxing bodies up front this time, rather than all the mentioning of ‘fairness’. The school district should have been interviewed, and the administration and board members asked to tell the public exactly what they intended to do this time. That did not happen. The coverage provided more ‘cover’ than details until the assessment letters were mailed. We still have no clue what the taxing bodies intentions are. Perhaps I’ve missed something, but I’ve not seen a single interview of a Erie School Board member relative to how they intend to approach this reassessment. Another 10% maximum revenue increase or not?
The same analysis should have happened in Millcreek, to determine if the reassessment process is being used as a funding mechanism for the boards building plans.
Perhaps a chart showing total revenues before and after the last reassessment, followed up with specific questions regarding this one to all taxing bodies.
Some big news on the radio side… The FCC issued a construction permit for 92.7 FM/Lawrence Park, allowing Rick Rombaldo to build out the station. It’s been a work-in-progress, finding a suitable site for the radio transmitter and tower, as well as addressing interference concerns filed by a low-power radio station (WXCS 92.9 FM Cambridge Springs).
The official “go ahead” was given April 30th when the FCC issued the construction permit. First Channel Communications has 36 months to build out the station before the permit expires (likely won’t take anywhere close to this long).
Also, a set of call letters was just granted and officially assigned to the new station today (May 16th). Upon the owners’ request, 92.7 is now WEHP-FM.
Any format speculation? I’d say oldies, especially with 92.7′s limited coverage area and Cumulus launching CHR/Top 40 competitor i104.3
Ah, oldies huh?
CRANK:
I understand what you mean. The assessments issue is a whole monster of itself. As you have seen, it’s basically surface level reporting. Just a few basics, enough for people to quickly understand.
Another purpose for reporters is to break down complicated issues and explain what it means for the public. As you pointed out, I don’t think anyone has really attempted to do this. However, someone should. It can easily become a series. Money, taxes and government spending easily capture public interest. For everyone’s sake, find someone as an example to base the story off.
To an extent, investigative, in-depth reporting doesn’t seem to be popular with Erie news outlets. However, it’s definitely something our community needs and can benefit from.
An Oldies station… YES! A ‘Corporate’ Oldies station… NO! NO! NO! A thousand times… NO!
You know what? Format is essentially irrelevant. Find a way to reach your audience. Learn all you can about the town around you. Get to know the people and while your at it, INVEST in people to run your station, Mr. Rambaldo.
Format is irrelevant? What the **edit**
Like masturbation without the payoff?! Howard Stern Rules!
OK, here’s a scenario with a question. Picture yourself as a board op or a jock in front of the microphone. Ooops… Nature calls. In order to take care of the primary impulse, you must f.ind something to put on the air, then you may have to get out of the studio, to the men’s or ladie’s room and then get back.
Oh, by the way, did I mention that the restroom was down the hall and through the front lobby, through a locked door… Did you remember to grab the key before you started your journey? Finally you get to the place that you need to be, all the while, wondering about what’s going on in the studio. Did I mention that it’s Sunday morning, and you are the ONLY ONE in the place. Better yet, imagine it’s Christmas Eve and everyone else is at home having dinner, enjoying football, visiting with relatives, etc. This is a real case scenario for a former low-level board op. John, you don’t know how fortunate you are, or maybe you do.
Anyway, you have to be away from the board for a solid 5 minutes. What production element do you put on the air? Remember, people are listening. Can’t have any dead air. Do you grab a Religious Service on cassette or Reel-To-Reel tape? Perhaps, an extra-long infomercial on tape? How about a song, a tune from the 70s, say Top Of The World by Karen and Richard Carpenter… wait… that’s only 3 minutes and you need another 2 to 4 minutes. What song/production element do you reach for? (That’s the question, by the way)
What are some of your favorite ‘bathroom break tunes’? A couple come to mind for me… Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin, or Hey Jude (the full 7 minute version) by the Beatles. One of My faves… This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide by The Kings. Yet, another selection that we had on vinyl at WRIE, courtesy of Scott Stevens… In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly. So, what were some of your favorite Bathroom Break tunes?
I know that with today’s automated technology, this is a moot point. You don’t have to run to Cart racks and get your songs/commercials. You did’t have to get a script ready. But when I worked back in the mid 80s at WRIE and the early 90s at WLKK, you really had to think on your feet. Dead air was my enemy, and you have an audience to entertain, no matter how small, no matter what time of day or night… being a producer for a radio station ROCKED! Again, I say to my friend, John… “Man, you’ve got it made! Can I work as your assistant under you?”
To BobbCobb, I respond by saying… Yes, Format for any station is irrelevant. I learned that lesson when Mr. Allen Carpenter got me into WLKK. I love 50s, 60s and 70s music. I thought that there was no better format than oldies. Deep down inside, I still feel that way, but by exposing me to News/Talk, Allen showed me that there is so much more to tune find in radioland. I have a deep appreciation for the talents of a Mr. Rich Peterson, but Barry Dain Steinhagen is the closed thing to celebrity stock that I will ever care to meet. I was honored to have learned from Barry, Rich, and you too, Allen.
As far as my beloved Oldies format stands, the radio industry has basically put it aside or mixed the tunes in with a Classic Hits, Adult Contemporary or Adult Hits format. Oldies are disappearing from the radio like there is no tomorrow. (SIGH) But, if you’re a Mister Rambaldo with an enormous responsibility, and you do in deed need to make a profit to stay alive, you have to think in terms of what is the most popular for a specific demographic, despite what this *jerk* named Dave thinks
You have to keep the health of your entire operation (staff included) at the forefront of your mind.
I love my music and it seems that I know where to find it. I have records and tapes and even 8-track tapes. Yes, I have 2 iPods, 2 laptops and numerous computers, but I also have a combination record player/casette player/AM/FM radio tuner/8-track tape player direct from the former Warren Radio on Peach Street. My uncle worked there as a salesman during my high school years.
As long as I know where to get my music, the basic radio format is, essentially, irrelevant. Jazz FM is an acquired taste, but I am listening to Bob more. Don’t get me wrong, I still would love to hear more of Joe, and Allen, but I am listening to the music selection, and I have to admit that I do have a good time with 94.7 Bob FM. Joe, I listened to Bob FM all day on Memorial Day… Good Work, My friend.
Now that GE Transportation is skipping town and heading to Chicago maybe the local media (TV and Print) can grow a pair of balls and finally ask some serious questions of the local elected officials and local chamber of commerce about what Erie can do to keep existing business and attract new ones?
I weep for the days of old when a Carol Pella or Hyle Richmond would latch on to a story and not give up, and they didn’t care less if they offended anyone in power or position of authority.
These days it seems the local media types don’t want to rock the boat, hell, then they wouldn’t be able to go out drinking with certain elected officials. Guess the motto is Don’t rock the boat?
Do your jobs! Don’t worry if people don’t like you! If you are more worried about being liked by the Mayor or Police Chief or whoever the hell then you should probably get out of the business and look and see if Chipotle is hiring!
To Lisa Adams and Lou Baxter, wake up! Take the gloves off for once! Ask some serious questions of the Mayor, County Executive and local economic development officials.
Erie media is far too passive these days. A lot better being in the good old boys club then on the outside looking in.
What a shame!
“….ask some serious questions of the local elected officials and local chamber of commerce about what Erie can do to keep existing business and attract new ones ?”
And then what ? No, seriously. What next ?
Talk and more talk. Suppose the newsies do really ask those questions for which you’re yammering and clamoring. By the way, go try your hand at writing out a few substantive and meaningful examples of interview topics to share with us here; it’s not so easy is it ?
Could most of those viewers and readers make a difference if they wanted to ? Would anyone in town listen to the guidance offered, take it to heart, and try to make it happen ?
No, it’s easier to moan about GE’s corporate hdqrs leaving, or the nasty old “1%” at the Yacht Club, or the Lilly/Nexstar/Cumulus/Connoiseur/Rambaldo borg. All the while conveniently overlooking the Mead family children’s room at the Blasco library, or the Junker Center out at Behrend campus, or the DeAngelo boy’s club on the east side, to give a few examples. Far easier than it is to roll up your sleeves and get your own (and I mean that literally) house (literally *and* figuratively) in order on a grass-roots level.
Toss me another beer, would’ya hon ?
Hey ‘Food for Thought’ just for your information I AM part of the 1%!
And while we are at it why is Lisa Adams only on air 1 night a week? Must be nice to be the news boss and make her own rules!?
This blog is amazing. Anytime someone criticizes Erie media and the usual clowns come to its defense. Nice to see there are agents of the local media on this blog and that criticism of any type is not tolerated. I wonder what is respectful about that?
BobbCobb, 1% of what ? (just curious)
Someone who calls his critics “clowns”, advises members of the working press to “grow a pair of balls”, gratuitously refers to masturbation in this context, and posts explicitly profane comments requiring our host to edit out words unfit for public consumption can hardly be considered an arbiter of ‘respect’. All examples which came from your earlier comments above by the way.
And yours truly as an “agent(s) of the local media” ? LOL. Hardly. By the way, you’re the one that is apparently all worked up about an individual employee’s assignment schedule at an upper State Street workplace. Why the off-topic interest in an internal private company HR matter ? Are *you* someone’s agent ?
After I scrolled up and reprised your comments, I instinctively had to glance at the URL at the top of my browser’s window and make sure I hadn’t clicked on Topix by mistake.
As the late great Paul Brown would say, it’s just my “2 cents worth”.
FORWARD COMRADES!
Is Jason Berry hitting the road and leaving Erie behind him? JET/FOX is looking for a new weekend meteorologist. http://www.yourerie.biz/classifieds/view.amp?classified=263253
Any other Erie television personalities preparing to leave, too? JET always seems to have a high turnover rate, although the market as a whole tends to see this. Thoughts?
Congratulations to Scott Bremner for winning his Second Emmy Award this past Saturday night in Indianapolis. Very well deserved indeed.