When the space shuttle exploded a few years ago, I was outside doing yard work at the time. The Executive Producer tracked me down, told me the news, and I headed for the station.
The question today is, would you?
When I arrived that day I already found several staffers had arrived and were already brainstorming about ways to localize the story. Then I pulled out the telephone call sheet and began dialing the numbers of the staffers who weren't already there, though I knew there were some I didn't need to call. I simply knew they'd come in.
Many called before I had the chance to touch base and told me they were on their way. But some never bothered to answer the messages I'd left on their station-issued cell phones. In this day and age, it was hard to believe.
When big news breaks, and I mean the kind of news that brings the country to a screeching halt, you shouldn't have to even ask. Get dressed, get in your car, and head for the station. (If you're a young person, you probably don't know this. You do now.) First, you should want to be a part of a major story. And second, it will show the rest of the staff you're really a news person.
My first news director always said of these situations, "I shouldn't have to call anyone. You guys should know enough to just come in."
1 comment:
I love that passion, but my News Director always tells us, "If you get overtime, you won't work here." Should just go in and volunteer my time anyway?
Post a Comment