Well, I never!
New Nersey Network 1971-2011
For those of you who missed it…and you probably did…New Jersey Network went off the air June 30, 2011. That means no more NJN News which gave a state who is in the great shadows of New York and Philadelphia it’s own nightly newscast is silent.
This was precipitated by Governor Chris Christie (R) who wanted to no longer fund a state-run public television and radio network. The state has been taking bids on who will take over the television operation. It should be noted that NJN Radio, which never had full state coverage, was sold off to two entities. WHYY in Philadelphia took over the southern tier stations of NJN Radio. From the looks of things, they will do nothing but simulcast it’s main signal on those stations. The northern tier stations, including Trenton, was taken over by New York Public Radio and will form New Jersey Public Radio.
The television operation was not sold, but the management rights were contracted out to (wait for it) WNET New York (ok, this can be nerve racking, but go on.) WNET will set up a New Jersey based operation with decisions and productions based in New Jersey (feeling a little bit better.) We will run things economically (not surprising, the way of the industry thanks to technology and other factors.) They will have to have a nightly newscast and carry important speeches such as State of the State (good.) There will be increased coverage on state government (awesome! I’m a political reporter and analyst, I cannot help but be excited.)
As you can tell with my “innermonolouge,” I am glad to see that this new entity know as Public Media New Jersey, who rechristened NJN as NJTV, was going to be committed to New Jersey…then WNET topper Neal Shapiro did a great job of smashing that.
From Current.org:
Shapiro said NJTV’s nightly newscast, New Jersey Today, will be modeled after PBS NewsHour. Its in-depth coverage and interviews will contrast with NJN News, which has more field-produced packages…Shapiro said field-produced reports are no longer high priority for public TV newscasts in places where local cable newscasts are satisfying viewers’ need for “rat-a-tat” stories.
(AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!)
Keep in mind, I have no problems with the PBS NewsHour other than the fact that it is on when I’m at work (or sleep from working the entire day), but there is a unique set of circumstances here. For starters, not everyone has cable. Next step, New Jersey receives about a third of the attention AT MOST from their respective major markets. Public broadcasting is largely seen as a place that picks up where the commercial broadcasters are not able to continue on. For Shapiro to downgrade the necessity of a newscast like NJN News on public television is unfair and should be a slap to every journalist. In essence, it’s like saying that your work in informing people is irrelevant.
Granted, he has some heavy hitting credentials under his belt, including a long run at NBC News, but I believe that he is sorely mistaken and under estimating such a need for a conventional newscast on public broadcasting. He believes that 15-20 people with partnerships can make a successful newscast. This is disheartening knowing his credentials. The number of people he is referring to can certainly cover a city and county well, but not necessarily a state. Personally, if I want to see video from the Newark Star-Ledger, I would go to their website, I would not necessarily clamor to watch it on “NJ Today.”
So here comes July 1, and they have the Summer Edition of “NJ Today” (OK, I understand, things take time to set up…hold that thought). If the first summer edition is an indication of what the newscast is, they are probably better off NOT airing a newscast until the fall. There was only a short news segment with the big chunk of it covering the state passing the budget. Then a long interview with Gov. Christie and a long interview with Shapiro, who I guess was on there trying to smooth things over with former NJN viewers. Then the end of the newscast was the ultimate filler piece…they went to the boardwalks and the streets to find out what you like about New Jersey (UGH!).
This is the first time I have ever been insulted by public television, as a viewer and a professional. I hope that during the next few months this new entity will take the time to hopefully reconsider this PBS News Hour cloning process and give adequate news coverage to state so often ignored…not as much as Delaware, but from the looks of things, it looks like it is heading that way.
Well, that was fun…
ARLINGTON, Va. – Well, I had fun today. Not since 2008 have I had fun with such theological non-sense. Today, I held off for the very end before “radio guy” came out. I’m sure that you all had your dooms day playlists planned: “Rapture” by Blondie, “End of the World” by R.E.M., “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men (one I added) and a personal favorite because I love the genre, “Caught up in the Rapture” by Anita Baker. For those of you who follow me on facebook, I’m sure you have seen my comments. I cannot take credit for this, but there were a few rapture and Macho Man comments that made me chuckle just a bit.
Yes, the Bible says that no man knows the hour (Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32). However, in the midst of the fun, someone on facebook wrote something that caught my attention. As I mature more and more, I’m finding myself taking certain things more seriously…especially when its a call to prayer for those who “left their jobs, sold their goods and STOPPED LIVING.”
Now I’m just showing off
I can now post from my new droid.
Breaking News Oopsies
Will Thomas on WTTG (Channel 5) in Washington..
Help for the self-starting journalist No. 1
The above picture is of the Zoom H-2 portable digital recorder. If you are looking to get started in broadcasting or are looking for an inexpensive digital recorder to get started with, I highly recommend this unit. Not only you can attach an external microphone, but the built-in Microphone on here has great studio quality.
Yesterday, I had a field recording for a weekly public affairs program for the station I work for, WNAV-AM Annapolis. This is one of two recorders that I keep in my go kit (the other is a Tascam DR-07). Once I realized that passing an ENG Microphone was not going to work, I pulled out the Zoom H-2 and used the built-in microphone. It was able to record everyone at normal level. I did not have to do a whole lot of post production with the actual recording.
The one thing I would recommend if you do use an external mic with this recorded is to use a 1/8″ adapter that is L-shaped. I believe that is part of the reason why I wound up buying the Tascam. However, this recorder will give you a lot of bang for the buck. In fact, you can also use this as a USB Audio device.
The best package deal that you can purchase for this is from BSW where they also throw in an extra 1GB SD chip. For $139 with free shipping and a free memory card, it’s nothing to frown upon.
