Nothing like a BART closure that effectively shuts down the Oakland/Eastbay commute to SF. An ensuing predictable amount of traffic chatter hit the airwaves, as it should.
The go-to place on radio, as usual, was KCBS.
Invaluable coverage provided by morning anchors, Stan Bunger and Susan Leigh Taylor. Best ever on-the-scene reporting from Jeffrey Schaub at Jack London Square and the 19th St. BART station. Better yet, Holly Quan direct from the scene of the fire in West Oakland.
Traffic coverage from Kim Wonderly and her ample supply of reporters in transit and up in the air was also first rate.
*We will not respond to shouting. Check the record. Who broke the Robert Lyles story first? We did. Who broke the Vern Glenn--KPIX story first? We did. Who told you first about the KGO going KGOne story? We did. Who was it that way back in October of last year told you that Ralph Barbieri might be out at Knibber? Uh...we did. We're not perfect by any means. Who is?
I've left out a few more scoops. That's not the point. The point is this. We are not the NY Times. We don't and have never pretended to be. This place is mostly about providing a service to Bay Area people interested in reading a daily dish about media. Plain and simple. We dish stories--and a few serviceable rumors. Rumors that sometimes come to fruition...and most of the time, we're right. And wrong too, like in the case of Heather Holmes leaving KTVU. (oops).
We try to get it first, but most importantly, get it right first, as the great one said.
As for the commotion post, we're not backing down. It was a post--not a story. Read it again and mull. It speaks for itself.
**Follow me on Twitter
I read a quote that said "The worst fate for a prophet is for his predictions to come true. When everyone resents him for being so clear eyed."
ReplyDeleteAnd to those who want perfection? I tell'em Rich,read the Bible,the Koran,or the Torah.
S
I agree with S. Great post Rich, the reaction from the shouters shows how much influence you yield. Whether they like you or hate you, they read you. Thanks for providing this valuable forum.
DeleteI believe when there is a politically-charged business such as broadcasting with absolutely no transparency and a lot of phony shit going on the only avenue of relief is to have a forum to share opinions and truth. Wikileaks-ifying of the local broadcast scene. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised every major metro area doesn't have a media blog. TV, radio and newspapers won't cover the competition nor report about their own shortcomings.
ReplyDeleteIn the mid 90's the Chron had a sports media person under the name of the fan ,I think. He would talk about the sports shows,and its said he criticized KNBR too often so he was replaced with Sue Slusser..who did a good job..but when KNBR and the Giants and the internet got huge..instead of widening her audience the Chron shut her down. It didn't make sense with Cable going big and ESPN,the many local papers. But I think 902 hit it on the head..they didn't want to be exposed.
DeleteKudos also to KGO's Stan (The Man) Burford. Stan has much more experience at this and adds a calmness with his voice. (No, I do not work for KGO, just a listener trying to figure out how to get to SF this am). By the way, took the valejo ferry at stan's advice.
ReplyDeleteOn KCBS Schaub this morning reporting at JLS Ferry. He was interviewing a lady who arrived from BART and he kept asking her, "How did you hear that there was no BART service ?". He asked like three times. Every time her answer was, "when I got to BART" or "the told us down here". It sounded like he was trying to get her to say, " I heard it on KCBS" kinda like how radio statins ask you what's their favorite station when they call in for a contest.
ReplyDeleteRich your the one I go to for accurate media info. You rock, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteRadar
Claudine Wong was great today doing live shots in downtown Oakland.
ReplyDeleteOnly watched channel 2 therefore I can't say how the others covered the BART problem.
Rich, you drive everyone nuts sometimes, but most of us keep coming back for more. I know if you had your druthers, you would have loved working fulltime in the media for many years yourself.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, it would have drive you crazy! I know from years of experience. Why do I keep coming back for more? It's a lot of fun.
Why do I keep turning to your blog? I love the way you 'stir it up' and get people talking.
Despite the fact that the traditional media no longer wields the kind of influence it once did, people still have a passion for what's been written and talked about.
One of the most important parts of our democracy is a free press with a variety of opinions, and the bay area has been particularly lucky to have had such a high level of quality in the media for many years.
That's why many of us 'lifers' get so dreamy eyed when we think about how it was, (and not that long ago!) and how it still could be, and should be!
I heard this morning after the 9:08am traffic update on KCBS in regards to the BART...
ReplyDeleteStan: There are much worse places to be
Susan: ...Like Alabama
I don't know how I should have felt, but it was kind of politically incorrect.
I've been to Alabama. Trust me--it's not a very tolerant place!
DeleteHaving been to Alabama, I would have to go out on a limb and say Northern California is a smidge nicer. How dare these uppity newspeople express opinions.
DeleteStan Bunger and Susan Leigh-Taylor are GREAT!
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