Ya'll hear about the xplosion in Richton yesterday?

[Bluesman]

Mr. Ben over at Reliable tank was repairing a fitting on the bottom of a crude oil tanker and the sucker blowed up. Didn't hurt the tanker xcept blowing the manhole cover off it but it did shatter all the windows, blow a section of the roof off, cause some dirty drawers, caused two workers to quit on the spot, but luckily NO-ONE was injured...Now I call that divine intervention! Them are good God-fearing people over there and it is also a shame that W-DAMN portrayed Mr. Ben's comments as if he was making threats to the reporter when in fact he was only making those comments toward what he would like to do to the camera. I can understand them thinking it was news-worthy (The accident), but why must they twist people's words and actions for sensationalism? Sounds like dirty pool to me. You know folks do and say things when the situation gets a little hairy like it did yesterday, but a lot of times the actions and words of people are not in character with them. Adrenaline seems to have a numbing effect on a person's personality and for crying out loud W-Damn, a friggin tanker just blowed up in the seventy something year ol fella's face... Give the man a break... At least he didn't start cussing you and threatening to kill you.

[politically incorrect]

So, there was an explosion in Richton? What was the dollar amount on the improvements....I mean..damages? JK...my mom is from Richton. Just a joke. Bluesman, you didn't cause it, did you?

[SoMissTV]

I saw that article. WDAM ran the tape with no commentary regarding the validity of the man's statements; the man's words were his own. I should also note that the camera is seen by the courts as an extension of the operator; by assaulting the camera (when being held by the operator), it is considered to be assault. The photog had every right to film from the public property across the street; the cop had no reason to tell him to leave.

[Bluesman]

I saw that article. WDAM ran the tape with no commentary regarding the validity of the man's statements; the man's words were his own. I should also note that the camera is seen by the courts as an extension of the operator; by assaulting the camera (when being held by the operator), it is considered to be assault. The photog had every right to film from the public property across the street; the cop had no reason to tell him to leave.
No one said he didn't say what it said he said... But, the news media does love it some sensationalism and whether you believe it or not is of no concern to me. I know the implications that were being made and that the story sounds so much more tantalizing when we have drama. All I can say is that not only would the camera have been an extension of him but my boot would have been as well had I been in the same situation. I'm not saying that I would have been right cause as you pointed out, nothing wrong with filming from the other side of the street, BUT if you will read my original post a little more closely I also stated that PEOPLE (meaning everyone, whether they admit it or not) tend to say or act out in ways that are not at all in character for them normally. Adrenaline does have this effect on people. It clouds our judgement and we get our short hairs bristled. I'm only saying that he had a hell of a lot more restraint than I would have in that situation, I mean a damn tanker just exploded in his face and he walked away from it without even a friggin scratch... That is what I find amazing... Why wouldn't they do a piece on the miraculious OUTCOME, you know the one where the unexpected happens and you would expect to find blood and gore but instead you find people that just walk away unscathed... To me THAT was the real story.

[Bluesman]

So, there was an explosion in Richton? What was the dollar amount on the improvements....I mean..damages? JK...my mom is from Richton. Just a joke. Bluesman, you didn't cause it, did you?
Well, I have to commend the city police, fire dept. and medical personal in the area... They responded practically immediately and began making sure everyone was accounted for and safe. Thank God all were safe. The windows in front of the store were obliterated as well as a good section of the roof.

[SoMissTV]

Why wouldn't they do a piece on the miraculious OUTCOME, you know the one where the unexpected happens and you would expect to find blood and gore but instead you find people that just walk away unscathed... To me THAT was the real story.

I would imagine that's how the story would have been portrayed until this man's comments became the story.

Adrenaline does not outweigh the responsibility of restraint that we are expected to hold.

[No-Halo]

The toughest part for the interviewer would've been to figure out which one I was in unsoiling myself. :smt103

http://www.unitedsiteservices.com/images/trivia-portapotty.jpg

[Bluesman]

I would imagine that's how the story would have been portrayed until this man's comments became the story.

Adrenaline does not outweigh the responsibility of restraint that we are expected to hold.
PRECISELY. You just made my point. They CHOSE to portray it that way b/c they knew it would have that flair of drama they so desperately desire.

[Bluesman]

If they can't have blood and gore they will settle for controversy/drama... Just like all the other news outlets.

[politically incorrect]

Once I was at the scene of a fatal four-wheeler accident involving an 18-year-old boy. Our photographer was taking pics of the medical crews working to save the young man and a police officer came up to him and demanded he stop taking pictures. We were in a public street and had every right to be there, but he got very angry and wound up taking the camera from the photographer. As soon as we got back to the newspaper we called the chief of police, who apologized and had the officer return the camera - film still inside. It turned out that the officer had coached this young man several years earlier when he was in youth baseball and was obviously emotional over his death. The news media has a job to do, but we all should understand that when you are dealing with life and death, emergencies, explosions, whatever, people sometimes have a lot of thoughts going through their heads and may react in ways that seem logical in hindsight. I always made sure to stay out of the way and let the emergency personnel do their jobs. I knew I could get an interview later after it was all over.

[dasmybaby]

considering i talked to a close friend of the cop, he never told him (photog) to leave. he went across the street, off the guy's property, and the cop said "you can't tell him to leave, he's not on your property." besides, that guy's the idiot for workin' on something when he was told it still had fuel in it.... and if the guy wouldn't talk about how "miraculous" it was and grant an interview, what other story do you expect to see than exactly what happened when the photog was there???

[cubby 1]

I don't care if he was upset or not. He made a dumb ass mistake by working on the damn thing while it had fuel in it. He deserved to have it blow up in his face. Yes, WDAM had a right to film it and do a story on it because it was a matter of public safety. This guy, because of the way he acted, is the exact reason WDAM does not do much news coverage in Perry County. The guy had no right to be upset at the photographer for doing his job. I promise, if I had been the photographer, I would have taken his words as threat and would have done something about it.

[IFARM]

I remember one time i had to call an ambulance to come get my late wife. but due to 20 or so ambulance chasers blocked up the drive-way it took 30 min. to get people back to there autos and out of the way ........good thing there was not camera around that night!!!!!!! Anyway Mr BEN is truley a good man. I think he just caught-up in the moment......

[KingMaker]

WDAM has a history of finding someone to interview in Perry County that will make an arse out of the situation. A perfect example:

Every time a crime is committed in Perry County, who do they always get to make a statement - Sheriff Herring. Need I say more?

[Bluesman]

considering i talked to a close friend of the cop, he never told him (photog) to leave. he went across the street, off the guy's property, and the cop said "you can't tell him to leave, he's not on your property." besides, that guy's the idiot for workin' on something when he was told it still had fuel in it.... and if the guy wouldn't talk about how "miraculous" it was and grant an interview, what other story do you expect to see than exactly what happened when the photog was there???
It was a crude oil tanker not a fuel tanker and it HAD been steamed and HAD already had the fitting welded to the bottom of it and they discovered a crack in the weld and Mr. Ben was cutting the bad weld out to replace the fitting the 2nd time... It is not like he hasn't been doing this for 30 plus years you know. I'm not saying the news crew was wrong for doing their job, I'm simply saying that it was pretty tasteless for them not have just reported the story and edited out the obviously out of character actions from a very anxious, nervous, emotional 70 something year old man that had more going through his mind at that time than any of us could imagine. Don't you think it would have been a little soon to ask him for a freaking interview... I'm sure in a couple of days after he gets his drawers bleached out and his heartrate and bloodpressure under control an interview would certainly NOT be out of the question. I never said the cop had asked the photographer to leave either. I know that Ivey told Mr. Ben that the photographer was not on his property and he couldn't make him leave... I knew that already. I have seen voice overs done during a news cast in which the "scene" is shown and the reporter at the desk is the only one you hear any noise from... What would have been wrong with just showing a clip or two of the building/smoke/debris and then let the anchor person do their thing without all the added drama? I know they have very capable technicians there that could have "cleaned" up the footage if their hands were probably not tied...

I don't know.. maybe you should just call me an idiot for having empathy for the old fella that just saw his life flash before his eyes... I guess I'm just a little overly compassionate for my fellow brothers and sisters in this world. If this is wrong then I don't want to be right. Under different circumstances Mr. Ben would have given the camera person the shirt off his own back if he thought he needed it.

It's ok if you don't agree with me cuz. I'm a big boy and can take it but I will stand my ground and say that the same story could have been delivered a little more tasteful.

[Bluesman]

I don't care if he was upset or not. He made a dumb ass mistake by working on the damn thing while it had fuel in it. He deserved to have it blow up in his face. Yes, WDAM had a right to film it and do a story on it because it was a matter of public safety. This guy, because of the way he acted, is the exact reason WDAM does not do much news coverage in Perry County. The guy had no right to be upset at the photographer for doing his job. I promise, if I had been the photographer, I would have taken his words as threat and would have done something about it.
Cubby, it was a crude oil tanker NOT a fuel tanker so it couldn't have possibly had any fuel in it and the fitting is on the bottom so how you gonna weld a fitting to the bottom of a tank that has fuel in it? The tank had already been steamed which is the acceptable method of making the tanks safe to work on. It may not have been steamed enough and the initial weld may have created some volatile fumes from the heat and then when he went to cut off the bad weld those said fumes ignited BUT it was not a gas tanker, diesel tanker, or liquid nitrogen tanker. It was a crude oil tanker and he has been doing this for longer than you or I have been alive. Not saying he was right in saying/acting the way he did BUT his words were directed at what he would do to the camera, not the camera person.

[selmore]

The media are a bunch of cockroaches
They've long since given up on reporting the news, they want everything to be sensational. If it bleeds it leads..thats their motto.
Oh and watch them hide behind the publics right to know, etc. Thats a bunch of hooey. They get off on other peoples misery.
I've seen plenty of examples of their slimy ways.
Remember Princes Di and all the cameras hovering her while she was dying? I say thats sleazy.

[carsalesguy]

when has wdam or the hburg american done any type of fair reporting?

[selmore]

when has wdam or the hburg american done any type of fair reporting?

i was being kind....lol

[carsalesguy]

i was just pointing out the obvious lmao

wdam and the ha is a joke

[cubby 1]

Blues, weren't you in class when this happened, and not in Richton? Are you suggesting that WDAM doctor the news and/or the news footage they record? That sounds like a great idea. Why would you want to get your news from a source that you know for a fact doctors the news footage? You wouldn't, would you? I know that WDAM is considered the laughing stock of the news media in the area, but I am realatively certain that Swan and Co. are fairly good at what they do.... and they do have a load of integrity behind them. Are you simply going by old dude's story, or are you also going on the story of eyewitnesses? Now, we're family, but I really think you need to speak to someone other than the old man that was in the area at the time... maw in law would probably love to speak to you about this.

Also, the fact that it was crude oil makes no difference. It is just as flamable. The two that quit on the spot had refused to do the job because the tanker was not properly cleaned, and it still had oil in it. Take that into consideration.

[cubby 1]

WDAM has a history of finding someone to interview in Perry County that will make an arse out of the situation. A perfect example:

Every time a crime is committed in Perry County, who do they always get to make a statement - Sheriff Herring. Need I say more?

Well what do you expect? The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement authority in Perry County. Why should the media go and ask somebody other than the top dog?

[Bluesman]

Well what do you expect? The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement authority in Perry County. Why should the media go and ask somebody other than the top dog?
I will certainly give wdam credit for discrediting the credibility of the competence or lack there of in possession of the lame duck sheriff.:laugh:

[cubby 1]

I will certainly give wdam credit for discrediting the credibility of the competence or lack there of in possession of the lame duck sheriff.:laugh:


(scratches head) did you run that sentence by any of your english teacher friends?

[Bluesman]

Blues, weren't you in class when this happened, and not in Richton? Are you suggesting that WDAM doctor the news and/or the news footage they record? That sounds like a great idea. Why would you want to get your news from a source that you know for a fact doctors the news footage? You wouldn't, would you? I know that WDAM is considered the laughing stock of the news media in the area, but I am realatively certain that Swan and Co. are fairly good at what they do.... and they do have a load of integrity behind them. Are you simply going by old dude's story, or are you also going on the story of eyewitnesses? Now, we're family, but I really think you need to speak to someone other than the old man that was in the area at the time... maw in law would probably love to speak to you about this.

Also, the fact that it was crude oil makes no difference. It is just as flamable. The two that quit on the spot had refused to do the job because the tanker was not properly cleaned, and it still had oil in it. Take that into consideration.
Yes, I WAS in class and no I haven't talked to Mr. Ben. My source of information was however alot closer to the action than across the street and happened to be one of if not THE first one on the scene. The debris had not all fallen when they got there. No, I'm not suggesting that the dam "dr." the news. I am simply saying that the situation could have been reported WITH all the facts minus Mr. Ben's meltdown.

[Bluesman]

(scratches head) did you run that sentence by any of your english teacher friends?
I tutor english teachers.:smt023

[cubby 1]

Yes, I WAS in class and no I haven't talked to Mr. Ben. My source of information was however alot closer to the action than across the street and happened to be one of if not THE first one on the scene. The debris had not all fallen when they got there. No, I'm not suggesting that the dam "dr." the news. I am simply saying that the situation could have been reported WITH all the facts minus Mr. Ben's meltdown.

Granted, but when one of WDAM's employees is threatened, which is factually what happened.... watch the tape, they have every right to air it. This is certainly not the first time something like that has happend, nor will it be the last. I'm not saying that the situation couldn't have been handled better... but honestly, what happened is on the tape... and cannot be denied.

[Bluesman]

Granted, but when one of WDAM's employees is threatened, which is factually what happened.... watch the tape, they have every right to air it. This is certainly not the first time something like that has happend, nor will it be the last. I'm not saying that the situation couldn't have been handled better... but honestly, what happened is on the tape... and cannot be denied.
Agreed, BUT personally I would not have excercised my right to air it had I been the camera person... Who would want to admit they were "threatened" by an elderly man?:kekeke: That's like a football player admitting to being punked out by a cheerleader.:-D

[No-Halo]

Don't make me hose you two down...

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2024543/2/istockphoto_2024543_boy_with_water_hose.jpg :smt118

[dasmybaby]

i knows where blues lives....matter o' fact i was scopin' out his house the other night....then he decided to pass me cause 55 ain't fast enough..... wouldn't look at me when i honked either...

[dasmybaby]

Y'all ain't Hatfield/McCoy cousins by chance, is'ya? :laugh:

I love ya both, don't mind me, I just couldn't hep it. :smt009:-D


nah, blues just has too much of his papaw in him. he likes to argue just to argue with folks.

[Bluesman]

nah, blues just has too much of his papaw in him. he likes to argue just to argue with folks.
Slow ya roll sister... that's your side of the family too:smt118

[dasmybaby]

Slow ya roll sister... that's your side of the family too:smt118

i take after the 'nother side though. the petal side, not the PC side.

[Bluesman]

i knows where blues lives....matter o' fact i was scopin' out his house the other night....then he decided to pass me cause 55 ain't fast enough..... wouldn't look at me when i honked either...
How was you scopin out my house and then me passing you... you know I be residing in the city limits and my good ol buddy Billy gots a new taser and wants to use it and I ain't wanting to be his victim and since my inspection sticker is out I ain't been trying to drive carelessly/wrecklessly cause I don't want Smut or Claude to have reason to citation me.:smt118 What I is saying is are you sure you wasn't just thinkin it was me that passed you? cause I don't member seeing ya.

[Bluesman]

i take after the 'nother side though. the petal side, not the PC side.
bull shat....:smt118 you is too much like your mama.:-D

[Bluesman]

Don't make me hose you two down...

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2024543/2/istockphoto_2024543_boy_with_water_hose.jpg :smt118
No-Halo said "hose":ohnoes:

[dasmybaby]

How was you scopin out my house and then me passing you... you know I be residing in the city limits and my good ol buddy Billy gots a new taser and wants to use it and I ain't wanting to be his victim and since my inspection sticker is out I ain't been trying to drive carelessly/wrecklessly cause I don't want Smut or Claude to have reason to citation me.:smt118 What I is saying is are you sure you wasn't just thinkin it was me that passed you? cause I don't member seeing ya.

i passed by your house as you and the mrs. was backin' out to go to da school up da road... she was driving. y'all was behind me till about buck creek or so... that little slow burgundy car??? twas me....

[Bluesman]

i passed by your house as you and the mrs. was backin' out to go to da school up da road... she was driving. y'all was behind me till about buck creek or so... that little slow burgundy car??? twas me....
was this day time or night time cause I don't member it...

[chaz]

Once I was at the scene of a fatal four-wheeler accident involving an 18-year-old boy. Our photographer was taking pics of the medical crews working to save the young man and a police officer came up to him and demanded he stop taking pictures. We were in a public street and had every right to be there, but he got very angry and wound up taking the camera from the photographer. As soon as we got back to the newspaper we called the chief of police, who apologized and had the officer return the camera - film still inside. It turned out that the officer had coached this young man several years earlier when he was in youth baseball and was obviously emotional over his death. The news media has a job to do, but we all should understand that when you are dealing with life and death, emergencies, explosions, whatever, people sometimes have a lot of thoughts going through their heads and may react in ways that seem logical in hindsight. I always made sure to stay out of the way and let the emergency personnel do their jobs. I knew I could get an interview later after it was all over.

Exactly where many in the business miss the point. Most think it is their job, when "your job" is an intrusion upon the private suffering of others. Whether or not you have a right to do something doesn't make it ethical or proper.

Until you're on the other side of a tragic situation, you probably won't understand the utter idiocy and frustration of some numb skull trying to get his big stand up for the night.

As you stated, you could get the interview later. And you wouldn't show b-roll of someone dying on a gurney, would you?

[TDaleBeavers]

Yeah...I saw that guy's tirade this morning. And who is law enforcement to tell the media that they have gotten enough footage? Does the First Amendment not apply in Perry County.

That guy gave about the best on air tirade in Mississippi since Kirk Fordice's "I'll Whip Your . . ." eight years ago.

[Fish-Bait]

where's the video. wdam online?

[Fish-Bait]

never mind, I found it.....hehehe.....

I am gonna hold back for the sake of some city slickers...

[Bluesman]

Sounds like they may need a good trial lawyer heh?

[Fish-Bait]

Sounds like they may need a good trial lawyer heh?

Or well....I just ain't gonna say it.:eusa_sile

[Bluesman]

Or well....I just ain't gonna say it.:eusa_sile
Say it please... I got your back... I was thinking it anyway but I deleted it before I posted cause I'm already getting the brunt of the attacks for this thread cause I dared to question the tactfulness of the media.:smt023

[Fish-Bait]

Say it please... I got your back... I was thinking it anyway but I deleted it before I posted cause I'm already getting the brunt of the attacks for this thread cause I dared to question the tactfulness of the media.:smt023

Let's just say that some folks (insert younger generation age group from the big city here) don't understand some of the elderly's......ummm....philosophy or how to act around them.....if you will. Sometimes it's good if you just ask nicely.....and if you are told no then let it be for a little while and let someone else ask. :smt103

[Bluesman]

Let's just say that some folks (insert younger generation age group from the big city here) don't understand some of the elderly's......ummm....philosophy or how to act around them.....if you will. Sometimes it's good if you just ask nicely.....and if you are told no then let it be for a little while and let someone else ask. :smt103
Or just wait till they can settle down a little bit and ask politely and you would be suprised what you may can get from them.

[Fish-Bait]

Or just wait till they can settle down a little bit and ask politely and you would be suprised what you may can get from them.

Yeah.....I guess you just have to grow up around hard workin' folk to understand.:smt102

Kinda' hard to explain with offendin' the crap out of people...know what I mean Vern?

[SoMissTV]

Or just wait till they can settle down a little bit and ask politely and you would be suprised what you may can get from them.

Well, the tape showed the man approaching the camera operator, not the other way around.

[Fish-Bait]

Did they go to his workplace first?

[SoMissTV]

Did they go to his workplace first?

They set up across the street on public property. He came out, unsolicited, and told them that they couldn't film the front of the building.

[58ford]

How come I can't find this story on the WDAM website?

[Fish-Bait]

They set up across the street on public property. He came out, unsolicited, and told them that they couldn't film the front of the building.

No, he said "You ain't gonna take no pictures of my business, that's my business."

I guess his business ain't none of wdam's business..:kekeke:

[Fish-Bait]

How come I can't find this story on the WDAM website?

Upper right hand corner of their homepage. It's the second video under the player.

[Bluesman]

Did they go to his workplace first?
Yes, they did and he ran them across the street

[58ford]

I bet there are a lot of folks out there that would like to know more about the tank exploding. But, then if the owner was not forthcoming with the information then WDAM I guess was reporting the only story they had.

[Bluesman]

They set up across the street on public property. He came out, unsolicited, and told them that they couldn't film the front of the building.
Actually they set up across the street after there had already been over to his property and were asked to leave. I don't disagree at all with the rights they had as far as filming and reporting. I appreciate that. What I don't appreciate was the lack of tact on their part. I mean, sure Mr. Ben was in the wrong and was thinking/acting irrational, BUT does TWO wrongs make a right? I don't think so.

[Fish-Bait]

bagel.

[politically incorrect]

Exactly where many in the business miss the point. Most think it is their job, when "your job" is an intrusion upon the private suffering of others. Whether or not you have a right to do something doesn't make it ethical or proper.

Until you're on the other side of a tragic situation, you probably won't understand the utter idiocy and frustration of some numb skull trying to get his big stand up for the night.

As you stated, you could get the interview later. And you wouldn't show b-roll of someone dying on a gurney, would you?

Maybe you missed my point. I don't think the news media should intrude on private tragedies. We were taking photos of the emergency crews fighting to save this young man's life. He was not in the photo. The news media can do bad - and good - things in tragedies. A story about the dangers of riding four-wheelers in a reckless manner is a public service. It might make some parent watch their kids better the next time they go off riding. And showing the emergency crews doing their jobs makes the public have more appreciation for the work they do. No, I would never agree with intruding on private tragedy - which was part of the point of my first post.

[chaz]

Maybe you missed my point. I don't think the news media should intrude on private tragedies. We were taking photos of the emergency crews fighting to save this young man's life. He was not in the photo. [...] No, I would never agree with intruding on private tragedy - which was part of the point of my first post.

Maybe you missed your own point. Your simple presence was an intrusion upon the loved ones, as well evidenced by the response you received.

[politically incorrect]

Maybe you missed your own point. Your simple presence was an intrusion upon the loved ones, as well evidenced by the response you received.

There were no "loved ones" around. The cop who knew the boy was upset, as can be expected. But, everyone else there was busy doing their jobs and we stayed out of the way. My point was to say that sometimes police officers or emergency workers, or those involved in accidents can become emotional at times - understandably. The media needs to be aware of this and give them some slack. However, are you suggesting that the news media should NEVER go to the scene of any type of emergency, crime, wreck, train derailment, etc.? If so, how do you think you will stay informed of what is happening around you? Don't you think you should know if there are crimes occurring in your neighborhood? People being murdered, for instance? Well, if the media can't get coverage, you won't hear about it.

I am no longer in the news media, thank goodness. But, they perform a certain service to the community - when they do their jobs correctly.

[cubby 1]

all this argument over an old man losing his cool, and some people getting pissy about WDAM showing it on tv.....

[chaz]

However, are you suggesting that the news media should NEVER go to the scene of any type of emergency, crime, wreck, train derailment, etc.? If so, how do you think you will stay informed of what is happening around you? Don't you think you should know if there are crimes occurring in your neighborhood? People being murdered, for instance? Well, if the media can't get coverage, you won't hear about it.

I am no longer in the news media, thank goodness. But, they perform a certain service to the community - when they do their jobs correctly.

No, I would never agree with intruding on private tragedy - which was part of the point of my first post.

I guess it it all depends on what one's definition of private is. I really don't care about fatal car wrecks, suicides, murder suicides. Those are all private. I have seen such and worse. The TV station was out, trying to interview neighbors, get b-roll, and get a stand up. The newspaper? Not to be found. So I guess the "news media" can cover the stories with out having the old "film at 11."

The cliche exists for a reason "if it bleeds, it leads."

Don't think I'm being too much of a hard ass about this, my girlfriend is a tv reporter in a different city. That said, they rarely do this type of reporting. Maybe being a family owned station in a one horse town has something do to with it.

[dasmybaby]

...Maybe being a family owned station in a one horse town has something do to with it.

i thought raycom (the company that owns WDAM) was some big corporation in alabama?

[cubby 1]

Maybe being a family owned station in a one horse town has something do to with it.

Sorry, my friend.... WDAM, while it DID originate as a family owned station, is in fact owned by Raycom Media out of Montgomery, AL.

[chaz]

Sorry, my friend.... WDAM, while it DID originate as a family owned station, is in fact owned by Raycom Media out of Montgomery, AL.

I was referring to the station my gf works at (in another city), which is family owned.

[noway]

Granted, but when one of WDAM's employees is threatened, which is factually what happened.... watch the tape, they have every right to air it. This is certainly not the first time something like that has happend, nor will it be the last. I'm not saying that the situation couldn't have been handled better... but honestly, what happened is on the tape... and cannot be denied.

Exactly where many in the business miss the point. Most think it is their job, when "your job" is an intrusion upon the private suffering of others. Whether or not you have a right to do something doesn't make it ethical or proper.

Until you're on the other side of a tragic situation, you probably won't understand the utter idiocy and frustration of some numb skull trying to get his big stand up for the night.

As you stated, you could get the interview later. And you wouldn't show b-roll of someone dying on a gurney, would you?

all this argument over an old man losing his cool, and some people getting pissy about WDAM showing it on tv.....

I finally had a chance to catch up on this thread after watching the footage on wdam... First thought that came to my mind is how did the old man get away with simple assualt by threat in front of a policeman.. The policeman saw what was Happening and turned his back in the video.. The old man could have been arrested for what he said in the presence of law enforcement. Now would have that been the right thing to do NO.. Was wdam in the right YES. The photo dude did what he was suppose to do and wdam did what they were expected to do by showing the video. Not for sure what the guys problem is with wdam reporting the news.. Makes you think he might well...