A local television news operation can be, and often is, a powerful change agent for good. I wrote that line in an article on Friday about how a new image campaign from Global News in Canada is using its news team and resources to make Toronto greater. I’ve found some stories here in the U.S. […]
A local television news operation can be, and often is, a powerful change agent for good.
I wrote that line in an article on Friday about how a new image campaign from Global News in Canada is using its news team and resources to make Toronto greater.
I’ve found some stories here in the U.S. from local TV news operations that are making their communities a better place by their investigative reports.
First stop, Providence, R.I. Remember that hidden-camera investigation by WPRI, the LIN-owned CBS affiliate, of the alleged boozing and pot-smoking fire chief? He is suspended while a special investigator is looking into his conduct. Providence is now a little better place to live I would think.
Second stop, San Francisco. I’ve written about KNTV’s investigative promos before. Local TV news special reports cover a variety of topics. In most cases, the promos for each report are different. Not at this NBC O&O. Same graphic open, same music, same understated read by the announcer, same font and how words are displayed on the screen. The accumulative result by unifying these investigative reports this way is far heavier (and more effective) than doing one-off spots for each special report. Folks, this is branding.
And the tone of these promos screams serious, intelligent, gotta-watch subject matter. Like oil and gas companies dumping dangerous chemicals into the city’s water system. Like secret emails that reveal a cozy relationship between a gas and electric company and government regulators. San Francisco, arguably already a great place, is now even greater because of these stories.
(First watch the station’s promo, then below that is the actual story).
Next stop, Charlotte, N.C. Cox ABC affil WSOC exposes potential problems for the next 50 years when a private company takes control of tolls on a public road. Something positive will come of this to make Charlotte a better place to live.
(NOTE: We had an issue with the story from WSOC and are working to fix it. Please check back later to see it.)
Last stop for today, New Orleans, where WVUE, the Fox affiliate owned by the Louisiana Media Co., investigates how a nonprofit is living large on taxpayer dollars. New Orleans is better because of this story.
FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports
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