Capitalizing On Ordinary Technology To Capture News
The photo shown at right was submitted Wednesday night to KETV (Cox Channel 9) after a viewer snapped it during a felony traffic stop of a car near 156th and West Center Road.
Although this is hardly the first time "citizen journalism" has contributed to a local newscast, it is a growing aspect of news gathering, thanks to the prevalance of digital cameras, cell phone cameras and camcorders. These devices allow news events to be captured long before professional journalists arrive on the scene.
CNN's "I-Report," which allows anyone to contribute content to a section of CNN.com or have it considered for on-air use, is a bustling section on the network's website. Locally, every news station has invited viewers to submit weather-related photos at one time or another.
16 comments:
The reality is that this is an ordinary crime that happens all the time in Omaha. This scene plays out more than you think. I was at the intersection of 36th and Dodge one day at noon and the cops did this same exact thing to a guy who was apparently a shoplifter. The only difference is that just about everyone has cell phone cameras to help KETV overinflate an everyday occurence to self promote.
Maybe the presence of these cameras can do some good.
At least KETV covers local news. Unlike a station across town that wants us to watch frivolous crap and regurgitate the national news, which most are already aware of.
You go, Rodney!
I wonder if this would have been as big a deal if it had happened at 40th and Maple? I'm guessing no.
Whatever happened to Obbop?
Does anyone agree that this minor standoff really isn't news? It doesn't effect the vast majority of people in the area. I couldn't care less. Local TV news is a waste.
I would have to disagree with 4:08.
If I was driving by while this was taking place, I'd want to be able to go home and find out what was happening that brought all kinds of police out. Was this guy a bank robber? Did he shoot somebody?
The only station in OMaha that seems to consistently report the news - big and small - is channel 7. Channel six gets it sometimes, too. I don't watch Fox 42 of channel 3.
Channel 7, bar none, has the best local coverage out of any of the stations. When I turn on the local news; this is what I want to see; LOCAL news. Good job KETV!
Anonymous said...
I wonder if this would have been as big a deal if it had happened at 40th and Maple? I'm guessing no.
June 14, 2007 2:38 PM
No. Probably not. Does Cricket make a camera phone?
Brandi and Owen (average Joe), thanks for your extremely biased opinions on the work you and the others do at KETV. Oh wait, extremely biased is your specialty.
I'm not Average Joe. I haven't posted on this blog in maybe 5 months. I haven't checked this blog in one. And I always post as Owen. Thanks though.
But you just 'happen' to come along when someone calls you out?!? Some coincidence IMO....
Haha, I knew someone was going to say that. Just so you know, someone pointed it out to me. Okay, I'm done now.
For the record, I used to sit right next to Owen and he does always post his own name with his posts.
Also, all of us think the anonymous nitpicking and dirty comments show such class. How would you like it if we showed up to your work and jumped up and down on the other side of the bed?
Mike and Owen:
Thank you for your comments. Some of us that post on this site DO send positive accolades to you and your coverage. Again, KETV has won me over with their proclivity toward local news. This is what I want to see. Thanks again guys. Miss you Mike Sigmond, and enjoy your reports Owen. Keep up the good work.
Donald S.
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