Opening the Window to News Decision-Making

One of the things we journalists really like to do is shine a light into dark corners. We want to see for ourselves what takes place so we can better report to you on such matters.

But we aren’t very good at turning the light on ourselves. The transparency we desire in others doesn’t always apply to news organizations.

It occurred to me that it might be interesting to provide an inside look at the process of how we cover news. And so this is the result of an effort to open the window and invite others to see how decisions are made at 13abc Action News.

Much of what I intend to write about will be generated in response to viewer email. We hear from our viewers every day. As you would expect, some have very legitimate concerns and others do not. But we do read and try to respond to observations made by those who take the time and trouble to write.

Today, for instance, a viewer was concerned that her school was not receiving the appropriate amount of attention. In fact, she insisted that her school was constantly ignored even in our school closing announcements. After researching the matter, I found that her school was featured prominently in our “Quick Look” segment (part of the school closings system) and furnished her with the specific information. She also wondered if her school would be featured on our “Cool Schools” report at 5:00pm. The short answer is not immediately because we can’t include every school in February. But I promised to try and work the school in at a future date which I hope she finds is a good-faith gesture. She was also invited to submit ideas and events from her school to be considered for future coverage. While some of her specifics were wrong, she has a perception that her school has been ignored. We must take that perception seriously and make an effort to change it.

Other email received today includes compliments about our investigative story about those who park in handicapped parking spaces. Many viewers feel this is an important subject and one that makes their blood boil. They don’t like to see people cheat at the expense of those who have a legitimate reason to use the spaces.

I wish that everyone would be happy with how we report the news. Naturally, that’s not always the case. For example, some feel we aren’t tough enough in questioning local leaders about decisions. We try to walk the line between asking tough questions and being respectful of those we cover. But the bottom line is that we work for you. We shouldn’t be too cozy with elected officials and those in positions to exercise power. We are especially aware that some people might feel that we’re too soft when it comes to covering Toledo’s mayor (a former commentator on our station). But if you look at the record you will find that 13abc has consistently reported on a number of controversies involving the mayor and his administration. And that’s as it should be.
Part of our job is to hold the powerful accountable for their actions.

In the future, I’ll address how our staff decides what stories should be covered during a typical day. This space will also be devoted to difficult decisions and especially how we try to avoid making mistakes during live breaking news coverage. And I plan to tackle complaints about TV weather coverage.

I hope you enjoy reading about our decision-making and find it informative. Of course, it will be a little difficult to open the window too wide until we get a little more used to it. Feel free to drop me a line with your thoughts or your story ideas. My address is: brian.trauring@abc.com.