A critical look at the Wichita TV news

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Woman Found: The Interview

Kudos to KWCH for being the first TV station to sit down with kidnapping victim Joyce Patterson. To be official about it, they weren't the first organization to "sit down" with her. The Eagle published an article with an interview and a picture of her, together with her husband, and grandson in Sunday's edition. However, KWCH beat the other TV stations. Like in the newspaper interview, Patterson and her husband would not talk specifics about the case, but nonetheless it provided the public with a glimpse of the woman they wondered about for days.
As the manhunt continues for a "person of interest" the question will be to what lengths will the stations go to get the story. Investigators say they think their "person of interest" might be headed to Oregon. If he is found somewhere along the way, do the stations send crews out? I would say probably not, since Joyce is back here safe and sound, however if she would have been found out there, then I could have seen it. What are your thoughts? -Hal

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not to mention but KAKE and KSN go beat handily early and didn't have much more at ten. It seems they couldn't even find the kidnapper's house without KWCH "showing" them the way.

Anonymous said...

Did anybody see KSN's newscast be hit with the dreaded "technical issues" on Sunday? They had promoted during sportscasts on Saturday a story of an interivew Jim Kobbe did with former Major League manager Mike Hargrove, coaching now in Liberal. Sportscaster Mark Davidson, while promoting it on Saturday, called it a must see piece. On Sunday night I was eager to see it. The story started and then about 30 seconds into it, the video went to black and no story. They tried to go back to it later in the show, but still nothing. Its sad. Don't know what happened, but "technical issues" have plagued them before. I think the reporters at KSN can and do quality work, but its like when they try they are being hijacked by computers or poor leadership decisions and are left fending for themselves on air.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

KWCH didn't "show" anyone the way. Every station gets their break on a story...it's part of the business. KAKE's done it, KSN has done it. It will happen to all three again. It's a little crazy to get so hyped up over it.

Anonymous said...

Its the editing system and video server. It never works, and they won't fix the problem.

Anonymous said...

They should have faked it.... Hal likes it when stations fake the news.

Anonymous said...

KAKE and KSN led with press release stories about fireworks and how, wait for it, they are dangerous. Please.

KWCH actually did news and had new information about the kidnapping suspect. They are owning this story and it seems the others have just given up.

Anonymous said...

KWCH is reporting yesterday's news.

Anonymous said...

Jim Kobbe is a classy sportcaster. Good story on how Mike Hargrove is now in Liberal.

Anonymous said...

Kobbe is one of the best story tellers in the market. A lot of the younger people in this market could learn a thing or two from him. If you haven't seen his story tonight, you should check it out.

http://www.ksn.com/sports/22746394.html

Anonymous said...

It's actually called forwarding a story and keeping up with it. The fact that you think this story is over shows you have zero news judgement. A lot more information was available today than it was on a Sunday.

I know KAKE and KSN really don't follow up on stories and do one-day hit pieces and forget about it but real stations don't let things go.

Anonymous said...

Do I think the other stations should have lead off with fireworks? No, but at somepoint I think you have to start backing off the Patterson story. I know KAKE, not sure of KSN, had info on the suspect's background and had it on earlier shows. Just because a station forces s story at viewers relentlessly days after the victim has been found, doesn't necessarily mean it is the one and only way and the only story.

Anonymous said...

Remember KWCH does no wrong according to this one poster. I genuinely think they believe the Eagle and radio stations and KSN and KAKE should just give up because KWCH is "so much better and the major leagues compared to everyone else"

Anonymous said...

The woman was found Friday. The suspect information was released Sunday. It does deserve a follow up, but I think viewers are otherwise getting tired of the Patterson drama.

Anonymous said...

KAKE GM Resigns

http://www.kansas.com/business/updates/story/450980.html

It looks like things are so bad over there, Gray forced him out. I wonder who else will get the axe?

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:37 AM -

You have no clue. No one at Gray forced him out.

Anonymous said...

Terry is moving on to better things.... something people at KWCH would know nothing about.

Anonymous said...

If you really think Gray didn't force him out you are delusional. No one "resigns."