Change is needed, but what?

[wx or not]

Old friend of mine, a mentor, is leaving the biz after thirty-five years. Truly one of the brightest anchor-reporters I have had the pleasure of knowing. I asked him what it would take to keep him going at this, and he mentioned "nothing, it's too far gone now." Which brings to mind this question: If you were counter-offered by your station (and money is not a consideration), what would make you stay in news?

[user name]

letting me curse on-air would be nice...

[Spike]

If you were counter-offered by your station (and money is not a consideration), what would make you stay in news?

Nothing, because I would know they were lying.

[11-Evil]

Back to the basics - but is that what the public really wants? When he/she started, that was all the public had - now they have 144 cable channels and the internet to give them information.

[Laughing Angel]

You said it Spike, so I don't have to.

[s'news]

Easy. Let me do the stories I want to do.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

Nothing. The world has moved on.

[wx or not]

Okay, so the concensus is that nothing is possible to save us. I disagree; however, I would like to know what you feel is the answer to our futures. For instance, one suggestion has been the internet. How do we address that, and still remain a viable entity? In other words, how do we manage to still eke out an existence (as responsible media professionals) and stay focused on the future?

[BPOnTheAir]

The only things that would keep me in news are more time off and a schedule change. Working every holiday and only getting a couple of weeks off a year right now is wearing thin. Especially with my daughter, whom I hardly get to see.

I also work M-W nights, and Th-F days. That Wednesday night turnaround is murder on my sleep. However, I've been working it for almost four years. Doesn't mean it's not old.

[overthehill]

There are many who might say "more money" would keep me involved in TV news. But we know that is NOT a good enough reason to stick around. More money might make you complain less, in the short run, but it won't solve the key problem.

In addition to fixing the salaries at the entry level of our industry, I think the work environment has to change to make more people stick around. The job is overwhelming and more money isn't necessarily the answer.

Those who truly love journalism and TV news are the ones who love to tell stories, to inform and to be part of a good news day. What needs to change are the demands put on employees. We're asked to do far too much with little time to think about what we're doing. Just generate more product please. And then when you're finished, please give me more.

Someone needs to realize that to produce adequate coverage, you need adequate staff, adequate time and adequate resources. Give me more time to think, more time to plan, more resources to find, get and produce better stories!

Given a better work environment, most of us would agree we'd love what we do.

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

It would involve the death(not literal)of consultants. Those who are consultants would have to concentrate on my market(not tell me what's working on the opposite coast with 3times the population), and ask more than generic questions when polling the people in my community as to what they care about.
(I'd also like a show free of graphics):doh:

[Bandit]

1. Emphasize storytelling.

2. Rebuild the wall between sales and news.

3. Hire local people who are familiar with the community and give them control over content and presentation.

[TVMattNYC]

The only things that would keep me in news are more time off and a schedule change. Working every holiday and only getting a couple of weeks off a year right now is wearing thin. Especially with my daughter, whom I hardly get to see.

I also work M-W nights, and Th-F days. That Wednesday night turnaround is murder on my sleep. However, I've been working it for almost four years. Doesn't mean it's not old.

AMEN, SISTER!

Try doing this for 19 years.