February 11. 2009 15:18

Joe,

I couldn’t agree with you more. I know it’s been said before, but it is obvious that the U.S public is so enamored with in your face gore, shock and awe, that the common media knows it. I’m sure they pay trendy people to pay attention to these sorts of things and they are just feeding the addiction.

Just listen to CNN’s coverage regarding the incident. They are showing home video like a Pepsi commercial. They are interviewing and showing the sad stories of the victims families. No death should be sensationalized like that.

I used to think that the news media was supposed to provide facts, but have felt for a long time that we are given opinions and emotions rather than information.

More often than not, I get my information from on-line, from web-sites I trust. I read the reports for myself and if moved, will write a comment or my own “editorial” to those I think care.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

Rena H. Smith
A&P w/I.A

Rena H. Smith

February 14. 2009 17:46

I would prefer they just report what happened and leave out the speculation. I watched the press conference, carried by all the cable news stations, early that next morning and the questions the press asked were ridiculous. A few reporters even asked if the FBI would speculate as to what might have happened.

I've worked turbine engines for 28 years now and been an airline passenger more than most, but I'm with you Joe...can't tell what a typical sounding engine is. I do know, from attending airshows, that unusual attitudes in an airplane can generate some unusual engine sounds.

Gary

April 1. 2009 15:59

Well Joe, Just more sensational reporting to sell the story. It seems that the press has forgotten how to report the truth and must meet the deadline rather than report the facts. Facts take time and deadlines can't wait, so we end up with opinions and partial truths. In my career as an ASI I investigated various accidents and listened to the press and got extremely disgusted with the cameramen and sound men at the accident sites. The lengths they would go to, to scoop the competition was unbelievable and if they didn't get what they wanted by air time then they went with their opinions rather than wait until the investigation progressed. The eye witness is not very reliable because they want their 15 seconds of fame, and usually put their own little expressions or sayings into it. I'm with you Joe, the industry needs to quit combating the ignorance of the press and all take the path of "no comment, until the NTSB completes their investigation". The PR representatives could ensure notifications are made rather than immediately start trying to spin everything because of the potential bad press. Both industries would benefit from news desks with professional reporters that are familiar with the system rather than how to make a deadline. But then I forgot they need to sell papers or air time and the affected individuals don't count. The public has a right to know - can't tell you how many times I heard that one. They always forgot the last two words "The public has a right to know THE TRUTH"

Jay

April 27. 2009 05:34

Joe,
When a dog bites a man - that's not news, however, when a MAN bites a dog - now there is something worth putting on the front page with a big headline.

News reporting today is all about readership and sales - not about truth or facts. In the old days we called it "yellow journalism" today we call it CNN/Fox headline news and give them a Pulitzer.

Ian