I wrote a blog “Media Relations: Why you shouldn’t dump the local news.” It focused on how one of my former colleagues at Fox reminded me how local TV broadcasts still deliver value despite all their faults. More people may have responded to that blog than any other I’ve recently written. The media, often enclosed in a bubble of conference room meetings, should hear opinions about the news from people other than their friends or co-workers. PR pros should listen to the same opinions to ensure they are properly pitching to their clients the benefits of popping up on TV. The blog inspired some of the following responses:
Business owner: “Keith, I’m probably not the average person but here is my reasoning. When I watch the news, what do I see that 1) I can actually do anything about or 2) has any real impact on me or my business. I commute about 1-2 hours a day and listen to self improvement audios or books (something that will actually impact me for the better). … I don’t have anything against news departments in general. I just choose not to fill my mind with negative information. I hope that distinction is helpful … I have stopped watching it on an intentional basis (still catch it when others are watching). I found the hyperbole and hysteria about the littlest things to be so depressing that I needed to eliminate that influence in my life. Been much happier without it.”
Consultant: “Local newscasts have improved and expanded lately. The competition is healthy improvement for local news fans.”
Former TV news photographer and current business owner: “I stopped watching local news long ago even though I used to help produce it on a daily basis. I get 100% of my news (local, regional & national) now via iPhone apps or the web. Part of that revolves around various tools in place now that weren’t there in months/years past; part of that is my own time-crunch (who watches the news at 5pm or 6pm anyway?); and part of it is local TV news isn’t produced for what I believe to be the demographic I fit within. Regardless of the amount of time given to the reporters that still want to deliver issues-based news, it’s buried in the B block or after weather when most folks turn off the TV.”
Marketing and Resource Development Manager: “I think it is still important! I watch the news on a daily basis (I also read the “actual” newspaper every day.). I have the news on in the morning while I am getting ready for work and typically watch it at night before bed. I also use Twitter and Facebook to get news, but for weather and other local “happenings,” I like local TV.”
What are your thoughts about local news?
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