This needs its own post. I attended the town meeting with Katie Couric this morning. Press was not allowed to the event, but someone from WCCO (he/she can identify themself if they want) invited me, so I went thinking that I didn't qualify as press. After the event, I talked to Deborah Caulfield Rybak at the Strib about what happend. Her story (with Jon Tevlin) has already hit the internets, apparently. More from me in the comments...
I just hate that the term "town meeting" was used to promote this event. It was a "town meeting" in the Bushie Potemkin sense, but not in the Massachusetts circa 1783 sense.
It's a move I don't think a "news" practitioner such as Couric should have given into. I know it's marketing (blah blah), but come on now. This era needs more transparency, not less.
Sigh. As I told my wife after seeing the Connie Chung's brief reign of journalistic terror in the anchor's seat, "If Walter Cronkite were dead, he'd be rolling in his grave right now."
I wish Ms. Couric well in the new job, I really do. I just don't think this kind of promotional event helps her.
»» Submitted by just plain Bob at 4:26 PM on July 12
There's a bit of confusion about my comments on MNspeak, to Jason DeRusha and to Deborah Rybak. I'll see if I can clear some things up. I told WCCO people that I would not talk about the event (being a quazi member of the press and all), but since it's already out there, I think it's okay now.
First, I thought the event was worthwhile. It can never hurt to have discussion about the types of topics that were talked about. I wish the discussion had been open to more people and the media, but the people who were there were, for the most part, great.
When I said that no one said anything remarkable, I meant that no one said anything that I'm sure Katie and her producer hadn't already thought of.
Several topics were discussed, ranging from how to cover gay marriage to whether or not to allow your kids watch the news. The Minnesota teacher of the year this year (an African-American woman) said some interesting things about how she talked about race and current events with the kids at her school in St. Louis Park. She also talked about media coverage of minorities in general.
There was a bit of a discrepancy between what the people in the room were asking for and what I think an evening news program can deliver: more depth of coverage, broader coverage, less sensational stories, less polarized debating, fewer talking head sound bites, more fact checking, etc.
I'm not saying anything about the quality of the journalism in evening news programs, I just think that it's impossible to cram all of that stuff into a 22.5 minute newscast. There was some talk about supplementing the program with more online content and Katie and her executive producer were very receptive to that.
Hopefully, we can use this thread to open the "town hall" discussion to a broader audience.
I can imagine the same CBS marketing execs who put together this extended, staged, bullshit photo-op also scratching their heads and wondering why the American public would rather watch John Stewart.
I dare anyone to try and watch the fawning self-congratulatory coverage on tonight's 'CCO newscasts without puking.
»» Submitted by Ahmad Rashad at 4:29 PM on July 12
I suggested that Matt be invited, and I don't regret it. That said, I think it's an incorrect characterization to say that WCCO didn't know Matt was a blogger. In fact, he was invited because of MNSpeak, and because he's on the front-edge of a new kind of community journalism.
I suspect he was targeted because the Strib writers were ticked that they didn't get in (to a meeting that was billed as being closed to the press-- no WCCO reporters were there either-- our anchor introduced Katie, but he's not reporting on the event-- no one is). Perhaps Matt can say more, but I imagine that when the Strib reporter couldn't get in, he/she said, "What about Matt Bartel? He publishes MNSpeak? How come he's in there???"
Also, about my perception of the purpose of the meeting: (I said this all to the Star Tribune) I think Katie was genuine in her desire to hear what people had to say about media news coverage. She asked lots of questions and spent more time listening than talking.
But the cynic in me knows that this was mostly a promotional event. If I'm wrong, I'd like to see Katie and her producer write (or broadcast) some kind of report about the things they learned on their nationwide tour (Minneapolis was just one of many cities they are visiting).
Folks, some perspective please. Is anyone really surprised that this is anything more than a promotional event?
Couric is really in town to shoot promos with local station talent, as she's doing in CBS O&O (and I think some major non O&O) markets around the country. The town meeting thing is just an add-on to drum up some extra publicity for her pending debut on the evening news.
I dare anyone to try and watch the fawning self-congratulatory coverage on tonight's 'CCO newscasts without puking.
Do ya think Katie Couric will join us on here?
»» Submitted by Idea at 4:37 PM on July 12
And Ahmad: not really a photo-op. That's why the meeting was closed to the press. To avoid that. I guess you can't win. Some stations had contests, "Come meet Katie!" We decided to avoid making it a Couric-love-fest.
C'mon, Derusha. I heard Shelby on his radio show yesterday. I'd bet $1,000 he's talking about it right now. This event is 1% genuine information gathering and 99% lovefest. It's a marketing pep rally. That's why the crowd was stocked with carefully chosen local VIPs.
»» Submitted by Ahmad Rashad at 5:06 PM on July 12
Rather than a Couric-CBS-CCO bash, is there any stomach for an actual discussion of whether we care about evening news--as news? Or is it entertainment?
»» Submitted by I remember Cronkite at 5:18 PM on July 12
I'm glad I didn't take the bet. He's talking to someone who believes WCCO should have opened the meeting to the press (Jane Kirtley, University of Minnesota ethics professor). The opposing view. So it's not exactly a big wet kiss at 4:21 in the afternoon.
There's been an update in this breaking story... apparently Don Shelby has offered to give Matt a promotional CCO tshirt to make up for the confiscated pen.
Rumor has it that Matt responded that "mnspeak is worth more than just a lousy fucking tshirt."
»» Submitted by Not2Sure at 7:27 PM on July 12
CBS and WCCO have the same right as anybody else, I guess, to rent space at the the Minneapolis Public Library and close it off to the general public. Anybody know whether CBS and WCCO paid anything for the privilege of closing off access to a public building during this obvious attempt at self-promotion?
I was present at the Dallas version of this town hall put on by Couric and took notes the whole time in a Moleskine notebook, I even brought in a small camera. Don't know what prompted them to single him out. I posted about what was talked about at the town hall here. I posted pictures of her visit on flickr.
Speaking as a private citizen, not an employee, I think it's crazy that we took Matt's pen. I don't understand how/why that happened. But my intentions were good in inviting Matt, and another blogger, to this. I'm saddened that it turned out this way.
And do people expect me or Paul Douglas to go on blogs on our station website and rip Katie Couric? Are you guys out of your minds?
I was there as well (I was the one who talked about students, blogs, technology, and murrow).
I found it extremely disappointing...and slightly elitist. I didn't fit in to that thing at all.
I also found Ms. Couric's response to blogs quite telling, though Rome (her news director) and I chatted about it for a while.
Lee-Ann Stephens, by the way, is the name of the teacher of the year.
Personally (and I talk more about this at my blog) I found the whole thing pointless and too lovey (oh Katie, welcome to MN).
There's really no need to rip on Jason for promoting the Katie Couric visit. It's his job. Her program leads directly into his (well, the 6:00 anyway) and it has a direct effect on how successful his station is.
And if promoting Katie Couric gets more people to watch the news - any news - that weren't watching it before, I'm all for that.
This is fascinating. I was invited to this event, because I'm a member of the regional Emmy board (like DeRusha), and WCCO extended the invitation to all board members. I didn't RSVP, because I didn't want to pay $45 to hear the same thing I'd just heard on MPR (Gary Eichten played a tape of Couric and Bob Schieffer speaking at the Aspen Institue last week). But now I'm wondering what would have happened if a KARE reporter showed up to this deal! I'm not sure I would have given up my pen without a fight.
Scott, you were invited to the Ronald McDonald House fundraiser, not to the "town hall meeting." As I was also invited to the fundraiser, but not to the town hall meeting. No CCO reporters were allowed in. Shelby was there to introduce Katie Couric, but he did not report on anything that was discussed in the room.
Don Shelby's drive-time radio interview with Prof. Jane Kirtley was great. Dandy Don was clearly in a huff about the tone of the Strib article and Kirtley's quote in particular. He even played the "gender card" before going to commercial, suggesting that all this hubub might be due to Couric's gender (!?!). The professor stood her ground, however, and dismantled Shelby's cointerpoints one by one -- live, on his show. Wow.
It was a good debate that never would have happen if "other voices" didn't air their opinion on this event. This forum (and Matt) deserves some credit for that.
Credit also to both Shelby and Kirley -- both were polite and civil. Special kudus for Shelby, for being open enough to offer airtime to a CBS News critic (who was actually crticizing the promotional event, not the news or Couric), and for actually listening to what she was saying. Class act, Don!
Not what you would expect from most AM talk radio hosts.
»» Submitted by just plain Bob at 8:15 AM on July 13
I'm just surprised anyone gives a fuck.
»» Submitted by Not2Sure at 9:19 AM on July 13
There's really no need to rip on Jason for promoting the Katie Couric visit. It's his job
No, Jason's job is to report the local news, just as Paul Douglass' job is to report the local weather -- not promote CBS programming. But this isn't just a 'CCO thing: KMSP is just as guilty with their shameless American Idol "reports" during its local newscast.
There's no reason to shrug our shoulders and accept this -- turning newscasts into promotions and network pep rallys -- as inevitable.
I do give props to Shelby for having this very discussion on his show.
»» Submitted by Ahmad Rashad at 9:10 AM on July 13
I don't really understand how I'm promoting the visit. I have a blog that purports to share some behind-the-scenes insights on the station. So I wrote about the visit on my blog. I commented here in response to questions. I don't think I promoted anything.
You're the closest thing in the MSM that they have to this, so, naturally, you're a scapegoat.
Hell, I mentioned it too, but no one has given me any grief over it.
You've done nothing wrong, JD...except for that story last night. That girl's dress? Hideousssss.
Ha! That's funny. He was selling those dresses, so I suppose that's all that matters!
I'm happy to take the hits. I really think the whole thing has been a bit overblown. People should read ironic's blog entry on the town hall meeting. He actually discusses the nut of what's really important here. And that dialogue is really the reason we were told that Katie Couric wanted to come around the country.
If you want intelligent analysis of the media, Jane Kirtley is the best, not just here, but nationally. (Warning: Rake pimp) We did a profile of her a while back.
While I'm at it, we should also offer our gratitude to the U of M for having the good sense to bring someone like Jane to Minnesota. She's the greatest asset the press here (and everywhere) could ever have.
Jason: Do you think Cyndy Brucato is also merely "reporting" when she reads a story about auditions at The Mall of American for the ABC show "The Bachelor"? If and when NBC's Brian Williams comes to town to do a town forum, do you also plan to cover that?
»» Submitted by Ahmad Rashad at 9:52 AM on July 13
Again, I didn't cover it, Ahmad.
Why did we cover it? Of course we covered her visit because she's on CBS. But it was also on the front page of the Strib, and in the Pioneer Press. So someone seems to think it's news. No one's complaining about KARE doing an Extra on one of their reporters retiring (which should be good, actually, because Bernie Grace is awesome). KARE did plenty of coverage when Brian Williams came to town to do stories on Prairie Home Companion.
I don't get your beef. I'm here answering questions under my real name. Unlike you. If you don't like it, don't watch.
Wait. They took your pen? Your pen. They must've thought it was the only one in the auditorium.
Doesn't matter; this was clearly a staged promotional appearance, nothing more. No different from an author or musician blowing through town to shill for a new book or CD.
»» Submitted by Dan Heilman at 10:04 AM on July 13
Of course we covered her visit because she's on CBS.
That, in a nutshell, is my beef. But I'll let it go.
p.s. Ahmad Rashad is my real name.
»» Submitted by Ahmad Rashad at 10:25 AM on July 13
I think it's kind of ridiculous that a teacher/parent was the youngest in the room. All the news knows they are losing the youngest audience (college and below too) and you'd think it would be common sense to include them in a "town hall meeting" about news coverage. If there is any excuse why young people don't care, it's because they are always left out and their opinions never valued.
»» Submitted by Emily M. at 10:23 AM on July 13
I love your work on NBA Inside Stuff.
Sorry for questioning your name. :-) I appreciate your passion. When people stop caring, then local/national tv news really is sunk.
I don't get your beef. I'm here answering questions under my real name. Unlike you. If you don't like it, don't watch.
Ok - this happens all the time. Someone gets mad and uses the fact that someone else is not a registered user as an indication that they dont have a valid point. I am getting kind of tired of this.
Either require everone to register or dont. If it is not required then shut up about it.
Would knowing my name make any difference. I dont have a blog. I am not on the news. I am not related to any publishers and dont have a political future. I dont own anything you can buy or would be interested in. If you google me you will find nothing interesting. Just deal with the comments or change the site.
»» Submitted by fakename at 10:44 AM on July 13
Word.
»» Submitted by Also Fake at 11:01 AM on July 13
I just loved how Amelia pointed out during one of the evening newscasts that ``despite her busy schedule' Katie made time for one of her fave charities. Cue to a Darcy Pohland report.
Wow. The Ultimate Sacrifice. She made time from a busy schedule of HER OWN MAKING to support HER special cause. How DOES she do it? Katie Couric: Newsanchor/Humanitarian/Miracle Worker/Saint, basically, possibly even a God.
Does anyone really, seriously watch local TV news anymore? Just wondering.
»» Submitted by Jimm at 10:53 AM on July 13
Fair enough. I got weary of being a punching bag in the same argument by the same person over and over. I got Ahmad's point.
Sometimes knowing the name does matter. If I came on with a fake name and attacked channel 5, wouldn't it be relevant to know I worked for a competitor? I suppose that's what I was wondering -- does Ahmad have an agenda?
Local news is quite the challenge, only 30 min, you need the weather and the sports. You need to cover big nat'l and intnat'l news, but how much? Plus, you have things to cover like important local gov't news and crime and what not. PLUS- people expect you to be fun, cute, nice and caring.
»» Submitted by Idea at 11:50 AM on July 13
I don't get your beef. I'm here answering questions under my real name. Unlike you. If you don't like it, don't watch.
Your bosses must be proud of the classy PR choices you're making. Keep up the good work.
»» Submitted by Le Doucherie at 11:40 AM on July 13
And no one wants to be fun, nice, cute and caring.
And no one wants to be fun, nice, cute and caring.
I could try, Matt, but it would just come off as fake.
»» Submitted by Foster at 12:01 PM on July 13
Jason: I was wrong. WCCO does a great job and I apologize for my scurrilous comments, which I now regret. Your station is great!
ps. Mike Pomeraz says hi.
»» Submitted by Ahmad Rashad at 12:04 PM on July 13
Pomeranz?
You know, why don't we just do what the did in Anchorman.
Let's get all the news stations together and just have them brawl. Flat out brawl.
The winner gets our attention.
Thoughts?
Does anyone really, seriously watch local TV news anymore? Just wondering.
Never seriously. Sometimes I watch in an ironic look-at-me-I-am-a crazy-local-with-a-trucker-hat-on kind of way or sometimes in a sarcastic MST3000 kind of way with my Robot friends.
And comments as stupid as this one are why I use fakename!
»» Submitted by fakename at 12:47 PM on July 13
Isn't the point of television news to get eyeballs to advertisement with a veneer of information? I'll give an exception to the Newshour, but really, isn't television the least informative of all media?
Are you actually saying that television news is less informative than talk radio?
Oh snap!
»» Submitted by Foster at 1:12 PM on July 13
I love Sailor Martin!
»» Submitted by Reader at 1:20 PM on July 13
Radio gives as much or more information in a minute of headlines and the like than it takes television news a half hour to do. Talk radio fills time with commentary and advertisement whereas television fills withs ads and a vacuum of "niceness" (this is local news, moreso)
OK, after taking roundhouses at Derusha for two days, I'm now going to jump to his defense. Everyone can get testy on these forums, so give him some slack. The fact that he's willing to post here and answer some tough questions pretty damn honestly makes the board a better place.
»» Submitted by Ahmad Rashad at 1:53 PM on July 13
The fact that he's willing to post here and answer some tough questions pretty damn honestly makes the board a better place.
Does anyone really, seriously watch local TV news anymore? Just wondering.
We don't watch TV at our home at all. I read the local alternative press more than the dailies. We get the Sunday NYT and some lefty current events mags.
While blogs, aggregators, and diggs are really useful for heads-ups or bubble-ups, for me podcasts are the best broadcast news media. I can subscribe to Democracy Now and listen whenever. There is no replacement for hearing good dialogue, and the range of sources in the podosphere is exponentially blooming.
P.S.
about 3,470,000 for "katie couric" (serious national)
about 2,010,000 for "amanda congdon" (not serious national)
Have you tried pitching the station on allowing you to do a videoblog? I mean, I like you blog and all, but you might be able to fill that void everyone is talking about with a Canon XL2, Final Cut Pro, and some good story ideas. Just throwing it out there.
And for the record, I was not accosted by the WCCO PR people. They were very polite and I was perfectly happy to give up the pen. And they didn't exactly "demand that I leave" as Tucker suggested, either.
At first, I thought it was just because I worked on MNspeak, but I guess it was actually because I sent in a comment while I was in the building for the event. I didn't plan on saying anything more than "I'm here now", but I can see why that may have caused a bit of concern.
Said Bartel, "I didn't get anything out of it, which is exactly what the evening news is."
Snap!
This whole thing is stupid on so many levels. And yet, highly entertaining. Kind of like the local news. EXCEPT FOR THE INSIGHTFUL REPORTING OF BLOG MAVERICK, JASON DERUSHA.
Caught Tucker Carlson on MSNBC this day with the video on you and the 'Katie Couric appearance in the 'Twin Cities" and enjoyed it much. Caught your blog and thot I'd write. Katie will be the panacea for NBC.Quite frankly I'm getting tired of seeing all the jobs or sports that men have excelled in the past being taken over by the gals. I am not a hater of women but enough is enough.
Here's a link to the video of the man Tucker Carlson sez will bring down Katie Couric. Warning, it is MSnbc, so you will have to use IE to view it. It doesn't like Firefox.
»» Submitted by katie is toast at 7:40 PM on July 13
Chuck, I'd say the "check's in the mail" but because I'm so cutting edge, I've put the money in your PayPal account.
I really don't see what the big deal would about attending the "Katie-Couric-Summitt'? I mean, are the, being CBS afraid that she is reallynot that sexay in person?
I've got to know WCCO somewhat over the past two years.
Ki Ki.. How come I wasn't invited? I'm just kidding. I know that I'm no suave media darling hee hee. I'd no doubt say the wrong thing if I got the chance!
I'm no expert on the media but isn't this sort of like the media censoring the media? As far as being transparent... I can see quite clearly.
I heard your interview tonight on KTLK and could not resist checking this out. Thanks for clearing the confusion and providing some details about subjects discussed. . . and of course providing some good humor on my 40th birthday.
»» Submitted by Kristi Kowal at 1:26 AM on July 14
You caught the attention of Matt Drudge - he posted this link on his site!
»» Submitted by»»» riskebiz at 11:49 AM on July 14
I totally scooped you on that one riskebiz by exactly 4 hours!
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 12:11 PM on July 14
I think Katie would rock in a plaid schoolgirl skirt.
I like when she tries to appear serious.
»» Submitted by bud jr at 12:19 PM on July 14
This is in response to Emily's post about there not being any young adults in the town hall. At the town hall in Dallas that I attended there were 5 young adults, myself included. I know that's not a lot but it's better than nothing. You are right though, the news (and the networks in general) need to do a better job of reaching us. The town halls would have been a great way to do this.
BTW, I got a video immediately after the town hall, it kind of shows the atmosphere.
Wow, what if Rex was still in charge around here and the New York Times looked into this further to determine that he was somehow related to NBC's interactive efforts (or something, I can't really recall the details). Perhaps MNSpeak has been an NBC cointel operation from the beginning?
Shit ---> fan.
Tip to the media: this obviously goes much, much deeper than a simple pen. Keep digging!
»» Submitted by DeepThroat at 12:48 PM on July 17
The only problem with this theory is that if you look deep enough, you'll see I've worked with pretty much every mainstream media outlet in America at one point or another (including the WCCO newsroom for an entire week!).
I will admit that this is my first time even viewing a blog and to tell you the truth I am very dissapointed. I often turn the channel when trying to watch a cable news show because of the annoying bi-partisan banter that seems to hinder society more then do any good. Grown people attacking eachothers views instead of listening to eachother. I found the same thing here and I guess I should have expected it. You want to talk about how the local news is worthless and all about entertainment then don't watch it. Somebody is though and maybe some people are not constantly negative and want something that gives them a quick run down with a little bit of personality. I went to watch the Carlson Tucker clip and had to sit through a Fabio commercial so I think this idea goes farther then local news. I was, however, pleased to see he dropped the bow tie. And what a title, "The Pen is Mightier", right after something about twins and nudering?! You would think that WCCO could ban it from media if they wanted to right? Why not, being a free country goes both ways. Matt said he would not report on it but I guess someones word is deteriating along with the newspaper. Well this is my one and only contribution, sorry for talking your ear off. P.S. You did get your pen back and it was a pretty nice one.
»» Submitted by Mr.Smiley at 11:35 PM on July 18
Unbelievable. Pengate made the New York Times.
Newsweek too, in its little Blogwatch section (p. 20, 24 July 2006).
»» Submitted by Dan Heilman at 12:04 PM on July 19
Next time something like this happens, Jason, do me a favor and invite me. I'll bring pens a-plenty!
»»» = registered user. click on it to see the user's profile.
8 Trackbacks:
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