Several readers e-mailed that stations in the market once again used the "Breaking News" logo to talk about the San Jose bus accident many hours after the actual incident. KNTV, for one, did so on its midday news but KNTV is not alone. Virtually every station is guilty too with some more grotesque in their use than others.KTVU is pathetic, so too is KGO-TV. Their overuse of Breaking News is almost as rotten as the perennial leader in the clubhouse, CNN, which has gone so far as to create a new, awful, slogan: "Breaking News Coverage" Or better yet, "...we continue with 'breaking news coverage..." Yuck.
I've stated hundreds of times that the brand, "Breaking News"; legitimate breaking news that is of great significance to the populace; a terrorist attack; a natural disaster; an assassination; has been ruined and eternally cheapened. Because the news managers and idiot consultants have no respect for the viewer, much less their own company, "Breaking News" has become a promotional tool rather than a news alert, a real news alert, like real, BREAKING NEWS.
What a shame.
You're right on the mark, Rich.
ReplyDeleteThis cheapening of a legit ALERT is deplorable.
This just in! Tony Rendina needs to wash his ASS!!! Call CNN, Goddamit!!
ReplyDeleteRight on, Rich. "Cell phone ripped out of hand of unwary texter." breaking news at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m. Same story, same BS.
ReplyDeleteEVERY station in the Bay Area is guilty of the same crap. That is really breaking news - Not.
Wolf Blitzer starts his 2pm everyday with "breaking news". CNN sets the example ..no wonder the local stations follow it. I'm starting to ignore the "breaking news" b/c it's usually not "breaking". The boy that cried WOLF haha
ReplyDeleteI blame the national cable networks. CNN used a Breaking News tag when Obama left the WH, and another when he arrived at the capital for the SOTU last week.
ReplyDeleteRight on!
ReplyDeleteBreaking News: Rich gets his lunch! Film at 11!
ReplyDeleteBREAKING NEWS: Fire hydrant hit, tree fell on road, flood in Marin, El Nino, Super Bowl, Oakland Raiders moving, 49ers fire coach...this crap has got to stop.
ReplyDeleteRumors of Sarah Palin's endorsement of Trump have been going on since early today yet Wolfie Blitzer just started his newscast with: "WE HAVE BREAKING NEWS SARAH PALIN HAS ENDORSED DONALD TRUMP!!!!!!!!!".
ReplyDeleteI suppose the term "Breaking News" started around the late 80s or early 90s (someone correct me if I'm wrong). It replaced the term "Bulletin" which usually was shown in large capital letter across the screen with the announcer or newscaster stating something like "This bulletin just in..." And it was used very sparingly -- only for really major news events such as the JFK assassination.
ReplyDeleteOh crap.. the news is now broken...
ReplyDeleteBreaking News! Frank Somerville's hair plugs has just helped El Chapo escape from the maximum security prison where he was staying.
ReplyDeleteRich, you are right on with this one! I have issues with the terms "Breaking News", as well as the blatant use of "Special Report". Just last week, at 1PM, CBS News broke into regular programming [The Talk] with a "Special Report" which turned out to be reporting that the stock market closed down for the day. To me, as someone else mentioned, "Special Report" should be used only for major events such as 9/11, a President getting shot, etc, but not for mundane things as the stock market closing down. And "Breaking News" should only be used when the news is in fact "breaking", which means, it just happened. After that, it should be referred to as "Developing News" or "continuing coverage", but NOT as "Breaking News".
ReplyDeleteOften, in the morning, KGO-TV refers to fires in private homes as "breaking news." This even ... usually ... the case when the fire has been doused hours before.
ReplyDeleteNow, a home fire is obviously a tragedy for those involved in the loss. However, with the MAJOR exception of an AMBER ALERT which put everyone on the lookout, a personal story shouldn't be considered to be "breaking news."
Maybe we should get them some breaking news glue so they only use the term when it is breaking rather than broken?
ReplyDelete