Jason Wert can cover a municipal body with his eyes closes but his passion is religion. We have citizen journalists - perhaps its time for citizen clergy.
It could also provide good fodder to AP Religion Wire.
His knowledge of politics provides good opportunities to explore the social intersection of faith and politics.
Showing posts with label Springfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Springfield. Show all posts
Hey Branson, "Aren't you glad we're not Springfield"
Marc Williams question, "Aren't you glad we're not Springfield", never resonated with Branson voters.
The statement refers to the dire fiscal circumstances our big sister to the north faces. Springfield residents will have to face the reality that a tax increase appears inevitable.
Williams attributes Springfield's economic problems to poor planning and a failure to implement strong growth policies.
The end result, Sprinfield MO., will have to raise taxes.
The statement refers to the dire fiscal circumstances our big sister to the north faces. Springfield residents will have to face the reality that a tax increase appears inevitable.
Williams attributes Springfield's economic problems to poor planning and a failure to implement strong growth policies.
The end result, Sprinfield MO., will have to raise taxes.
How to be on TV if you're a blogger
The title of this post should be "How not to be on TV" and if it was - I starred in it last week.
The television show stared me last week. The amount of hate mail I've received regarding my appearance with Rob Evans is astounding. He has either a huge fan base or I have a lot of ex-girlfriends reading this week.
Here's some rules:
1. Listen to your host and enjoy yourself. TV spots are short. The time restraints for television stations is small. It takes a team of highly skilled managers and technical talent to execute a television program. Each member has to execute routines in very short intervals for a successful program.
In relation to news, The text of one Broadsheet Page (like the Wall Street Journal) has more text than the transcript of an hour long television show.
A completed television news package could last from 15 seconds to 3 minutes.
2. On the camera side, photogs and graphic designers have to change shots every 2 - 5 seconds.
3. The weatherman's job is harder than you think. Having to effectively navigate the green screen takes coordination and choreography.
4. The television news director's job is more similiar to radio than a newspaper newsroom. The networks syndicate a majority of packages which are pre-ordained. Radios and Scanners going off in the background. Sound is everywhere and in the newsroom as KSFX/KOLR which produces the website Ozarks First, there is a lot of multi-tasking. I can't imagine there is ever a dull day.
5. When you're on the air: Listen to the host and have a good time. The Broadcaster giving you an interview wants to deliver news in an entertaining way. Listen to him. He's trying to have a conversation not an interview. Think topical, brief but not short and curt. It's his audience and his show and he wants the production to be good. There is a sideshow and multiple questions he's having to follow.
You don't want to know the stress he's under when you're live-on-the-air. It's a sure way to choke. Belive me, I'm living proof. (Lastly, if the cameraman is doing jumping jacks - that isn't a good thing)
6. Never drive to the television station with an ex unless you want to learn the inefficiencies of public transportation and publically respond to tremendous pressure. Particularly if doesn't put you in a good mood beforehand.
7. Help other people. A network is only as strong as the weakest link. The strongest networks have no central point of failure.
8. Become a resource and helping the press, a community of interest and those wishing to generate it. Provide content and news they can use. As you make it easier for news directors to acquire information, you're adding value.
9. Publish frequently and keep it real.
10. Don't wear a cap with a beer logo on it. You might lose a ten dollar bet, but isn't your dignity worth more?
The television show stared me last week. The amount of hate mail I've received regarding my appearance with Rob Evans is astounding. He has either a huge fan base or I have a lot of ex-girlfriends reading this week.
Here's some rules:
1. Listen to your host and enjoy yourself. TV spots are short. The time restraints for television stations is small. It takes a team of highly skilled managers and technical talent to execute a television program. Each member has to execute routines in very short intervals for a successful program.
In relation to news, The text of one Broadsheet Page (like the Wall Street Journal) has more text than the transcript of an hour long television show.
A completed television news package could last from 15 seconds to 3 minutes.
2. On the camera side, photogs and graphic designers have to change shots every 2 - 5 seconds.
3. The weatherman's job is harder than you think. Having to effectively navigate the green screen takes coordination and choreography.
4. The television news director's job is more similiar to radio than a newspaper newsroom. The networks syndicate a majority of packages which are pre-ordained. Radios and Scanners going off in the background. Sound is everywhere and in the newsroom as KSFX/KOLR which produces the website Ozarks First, there is a lot of multi-tasking. I can't imagine there is ever a dull day.
5. When you're on the air: Listen to the host and have a good time. The Broadcaster giving you an interview wants to deliver news in an entertaining way. Listen to him. He's trying to have a conversation not an interview. Think topical, brief but not short and curt. It's his audience and his show and he wants the production to be good. There is a sideshow and multiple questions he's having to follow.
You don't want to know the stress he's under when you're live-on-the-air. It's a sure way to choke. Belive me, I'm living proof. (Lastly, if the cameraman is doing jumping jacks - that isn't a good thing)
6. Never drive to the television station with an ex unless you want to learn the inefficiencies of public transportation and publically respond to tremendous pressure. Particularly if doesn't put you in a good mood beforehand.
7. Help other people. A network is only as strong as the weakest link. The strongest networks have no central point of failure.
8. Become a resource and helping the press, a community of interest and those wishing to generate it. Provide content and news they can use. As you make it easier for news directors to acquire information, you're adding value.
9. Publish frequently and keep it real.
10. Don't wear a cap with a beer logo on it. You might lose a ten dollar bet, but isn't your dignity worth more?
Springfield Blogger Awards
1. Best Special Event Coverage (Blog and the coverage)
2008 Caucus - 100 video clips of presidential candidates, 200 Embedded Pictures, actual documents from inside presidential campaigns...good stuff. The project involved three Springfield area citizen journalists on the ground in Iowa and embedded in presidential campaigns.
2. Best Comical Blog
Desdidova - an irreverent critique of the Springfield media
3. Best News Blog
KY3 Politics - passionate coverage of politics
Tony Messenger - Not only does Messenger address important issues but contributed significantly to the field by forcing and winning a battle verifying the right of reporters to receive information in a digital form.
Branson Missouri:
4. Best Entertainment Blog
Fat Jacks Erratic Rants - Fat Jack is in a category of his own. If there was a category for best edu-blog Jack would win. Jack gives great insight into the field of education and the importance of edu-tainment as a means to engage students.
5. Best Photography Blog
(Will Post Later
6. Best Personal Blog
2 Dollar Bill - Passionate about politics and atheist leanings, "The Sniderman" raises interesting questions about faith and science.
7. Best Local Coverage Blog
Branson Missouri - The Springfield Media market closed in this year on covering local politics - but the trend is new - the movement has only really ramped up during the last quarter of the year though it looks like it will continue.
8. Best Resource Blog
Rhetorica - Want to understand press politics? (This site has it covered)
9. Best Sports Blog (coverage, promotion, or fantasy sports)
(Will Post Later)
10. Best Political Blog
(Will post later)
11. Most Improved Blog
Busplunge - Really found hiis voice this year
12. Rookie Blog of the Year
Life of Jason - The site made major changes in format throughout the year. Jason clearly has great writing skills and style. The site has made several transitions this year. Some of my favorite posts relate to issues relating to his autistic child. The site seemed to move from a personal to a religious blog and most recently a Springfield City Politics blog .
13. Blog of the Year
(Will Post Later)
14. Blog Post of the Year
Michelle Sherwood - Sherwood's discussion on "What is News" is both informative and thought provoking.
If you are a local blogger and you're not on my blogrolls at:
Tech Trends
Branson Agent
And you want to be on - drop me an e-mail!
2008 Caucus - 100 video clips of presidential candidates, 200 Embedded Pictures, actual documents from inside presidential campaigns...good stuff. The project involved three Springfield area citizen journalists on the ground in Iowa and embedded in presidential campaigns.
2. Best Comical Blog
Desdidova - an irreverent critique of the Springfield media
3. Best News Blog
KY3 Politics - passionate coverage of politics
Tony Messenger - Not only does Messenger address important issues but contributed significantly to the field by forcing and winning a battle verifying the right of reporters to receive information in a digital form.
Branson Missouri:
4. Best Entertainment Blog
Fat Jacks Erratic Rants - Fat Jack is in a category of his own. If there was a category for best edu-blog Jack would win. Jack gives great insight into the field of education and the importance of edu-tainment as a means to engage students.
5. Best Photography Blog
(Will Post Later
6. Best Personal Blog
2 Dollar Bill - Passionate about politics and atheist leanings, "The Sniderman" raises interesting questions about faith and science.
7. Best Local Coverage Blog
Branson Missouri - The Springfield Media market closed in this year on covering local politics - but the trend is new - the movement has only really ramped up during the last quarter of the year though it looks like it will continue.
8. Best Resource Blog
Rhetorica - Want to understand press politics? (This site has it covered)
9. Best Sports Blog (coverage, promotion, or fantasy sports)
(Will Post Later)
10. Best Political Blog
(Will post later)
11. Most Improved Blog
Busplunge - Really found hiis voice this year
12. Rookie Blog of the Year
Life of Jason - The site made major changes in format throughout the year. Jason clearly has great writing skills and style. The site has made several transitions this year. Some of my favorite posts relate to issues relating to his autistic child. The site seemed to move from a personal to a religious blog and most recently a Springfield City Politics blog .
13. Blog of the Year
(Will Post Later)
14. Blog Post of the Year
Michelle Sherwood - Sherwood's discussion on "What is News" is both informative and thought provoking.
If you are a local blogger and you're not on my blogrolls at:
Tech Trends
Branson Agent
And you want to be on - drop me an e-mail!
KY3's David Catanese in Iowa (Video) - "Blogging is better than television"
(The above clip is of Springfield's local NBC affiliate KY3 Political Correspondent David Catanese and his personal photog in Des Moines, Iowa Caucus Headquarters. Filmed by Darin Codon 2 hours before caucusing was scheduled to begin.)
Between an interview with Governor Blunt and Barrack Obams'a campaign manager I grabbed the footage you can view by clicking on the arrow above.
Due to the fact Catanese is from Southwest Missouri and has extensive firsthand knowledge of Mike Huckabee, it's likely NBC will send him on the road to cover more of the caucus.
On New Year's Eve, while I was filming Huckabee make his first attempt at playing "Hard Day's Night" on the bass, Catanese attended "Raucus before the Caucus". The event was sponsored by the Iowan Republican and Democratic parties. A buffet and open bar was provided for members of the media at the low cost of $25. Towards the end of the video we tease Catanese about the event. We have no reason to believe Catanese partook of an alcoholic beverage.
Media ethics and guidelines news organizations force journalists to adhere to was a storyline followed while witnessing the political process firsthand.
Catanese did a great job covering the event and led the AP video wire when final analysis was needed after Iowa Caucus results were tallied.
When I first met Catanese a couple years ago, he was shocked when I told him that I didn't watch television and preached the gospel of the wonders of the boob tube. In Iowa he conceded, "Blogging is Better".
In addition to corresponding for KY3 Catanese manages a blog titled Political Notebook.
Between an interview with Governor Blunt and Barrack Obams'a campaign manager I grabbed the footage you can view by clicking on the arrow above.
Due to the fact Catanese is from Southwest Missouri and has extensive firsthand knowledge of Mike Huckabee, it's likely NBC will send him on the road to cover more of the caucus.
On New Year's Eve, while I was filming Huckabee make his first attempt at playing "Hard Day's Night" on the bass, Catanese attended "Raucus before the Caucus". The event was sponsored by the Iowan Republican and Democratic parties. A buffet and open bar was provided for members of the media at the low cost of $25. Towards the end of the video we tease Catanese about the event. We have no reason to believe Catanese partook of an alcoholic beverage.
Media ethics and guidelines news organizations force journalists to adhere to was a storyline followed while witnessing the political process firsthand.
Catanese did a great job covering the event and led the AP video wire when final analysis was needed after Iowa Caucus results were tallied.
When I first met Catanese a couple years ago, he was shocked when I told him that I didn't watch television and preached the gospel of the wonders of the boob tube. In Iowa he conceded, "Blogging is Better".
In addition to corresponding for KY3 Catanese manages a blog titled Political Notebook.
White House Press Pass (5 of 5) Springfield Press
One of the most interesting aspects of the experience was watching the interaction between the television correspondents and the dialogue with their technical support staff. It told volumes about bias, perspective and led to a greater understanding of where the individual media representatives stood in their personal politics.
The first photo is of KY3 political correspondent David Catanese followed by KOLR's David Oliver trying to tune into audio instructions. The bottom two are of an AP reporter who took an incredible shot of Talent handing Bush a Springfield Cardinals jersey (Click this Photo to see the full picture). The bottom shot is of the press platform with a photographer for the Springfield News-Leader in the foreground.
Springfield's War on Branson - (Christmas Edition) - Editor's Opinion
The Springfield News-Leader turned eyes to Branson after flogging our economy by ignoring all official press releases and coverage of the Branson area for nearly two months.
The great divorce began when the city of Branson opened their convention center. A ringleader in the conspiracy to cripple democracy and economy in Branson is no other than Springfield's most powerful media power Ron Davis.
As a guest of the city of Springfield last week, which included a delicious steak sandwich from Mellie's in downtown Springfield on the taxpayer dime (politician funded meals taste better), I took the opportunity to squeeze the truth about the anti-Branson conspiracy out of Davis.
After several potshots in front of the public relations community Davis laid it out for me. Somewhere, somehow, someone from Branson promised someone in Springfield Branson wouldn't enter the Convention Market. As a result, the most powerful media outlet in Southern Missouri blasted and branded Branson as a sleeping giant - letting the citizenry of Missouri believe we can no longer be friends. The rediculous notion negates over 100 years of our shared geographic history - we are all still heirs of the land of the Osage.
Springfield and Branson share a symbiotic relationship. The lure of Branson pulls over 5 million visitors through Springfield. We need Springfield to prosper and need to rethink the notion of enemy and join the inevitable truth that our fates are more tightly dependent than a few elitist whiny press egomaniacs plot guided by their prejudices.
The truth behind the Christmas proposal in Branson was that the initiative was derived by a meddling reporter who vainly attempted to wage a holy war for his own interests. The collateral damage is great - however we've benefited from the attention. I simultaneously give the "Vulture" my middle finger and thumbs up. Was it holy - no - but was it a war waged by Christians - no. In fact, the most religious factions of the Branson Board of Directors opposed the initiative. Our alderman acted bravely and in the name of peace - except for one member - who we will refrain from criticizing in light of the upcoming holiday.
The real issue - the real problem - the real tragedy - is that democracy in Taney County is suffering due to the fact our local media outlets refuse to adopt a code of ethics. The Springfield Press is leaps and bounds ahead of Branson's local grown pundits when it comes to integrity and without the SNL we're suffering.
Ozarks' Politics had a great quote on the topic today and Tony Messenger's comments can be read on todays' edition of Southwest Missouri News.
Ozarks Politics:
We particularly like the one from the minister who points out that "We can all learn something about Christmas and the treatment of veterans, from Branson." Lesson learned: there is nothing honorable or sacred that the folks down there fear exploiting in order to make a buck.
When the issue came up in public - this is how I responded during debate. Of course, the Springfield population wouldn't know that, because no one from any Springfield News Organizations bothered to show up.
Not only does Branson have a lot to learn from Springfield - but Springfield has a lot to learn from Branson - especially in terms of how to run a city-state.
********References*********
An Unholy Proposal by Branson Media Pundit AKA "The Vulture"
Speech Given to Branson Alderman - Commentary on Branson Christmas Debate
Springfield Public Relations Lunch - Photo: Ron Davis & Micheal Brothers
The chronicles of my day in Springfield are posted on Tech Trends in the post Blogging Springfield.
*********Commentary********
Because we ate a steak sandwich at the expense of taxpayers, we mark this post with the tag Total Sellout. Click on the link below to see what a sellout I am at your leisure.
How Larry Litle became a professional journalist
Larry Litle is a friend who joined professional ranks after helping me with a story for published in the Taney County Times. We have a "blogging journalists posse" where we meet and discuss politics at the pub. Litle, pronounced "Light ole", wanted to meet Guiliani while he was in Southwest Missouri. As a correspondent for the Taney County Times I sent Litle to cover the story. Litle took photos, grabbed a few quotes and I wrote the story for the newspaper with his help. Litle has a co-credit on the story and can now be counted as a professional journalist.
The photo above was from an election night blogging session. Springfield Citizen journalists blogged with Missouri State University Journalism Professor Andy Cline and Gannett's Springfield News-Leader Opinion Editor Tony Messenger. I was mobile grabbing interview footage and photography from Republican Headquarters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)