Louisiana TV reporter arrested after trying to obtain city records

Riptide · Mar 27, 2016

exmediahack said: ↑

Mike Wallace had the brand of 60 Minutes and CBS behind him. He could swoop in with his army of producers, make the big takedown and swoop away, never to return. No consequences.

I'm a local schmoe who has to live in the city of the police department I investigate, to have my kids educated by the schools I dig into. If I'm seen as a guy who has an agenda when I report, my rep in town is garbage.
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That was more of a dig at Mike Wallace. He had a lot of Cosell in him.

PCLoadLetter · Mar 27, 2016

exmediahack said: ↑

That's the difference between a good reporter who wants to stay in the city he or she works in and a good reporter who doesn't give a damn who he pissed off in the city he or she currently lives in.

I've had uncomfortable investigative stories where people don't want to talk on camera. I'll ask twice and offer a warning that I include it in the story if they, as a public official, won't talk with us. Yet I'll never play the ambush card. It is not dignified. My rep is important -- even on a negative story, I won't go out of my way to humiliate a subject.

Yet about half the TV newsrooms out there will eat this up. This reporter will be in Atlanta or Houston by Memorial Day.
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Completely disagree with this.

The ambush should never be the first option, and some young reporters don't get that. But if it's an important story and you're getting stonewalled? Fuck 'em. There's nothing undignified about demanding answers from someone trying to dodge you, if the story is important.

If you're doing the work of a journalist, you're going to piss off people in power. It's just part of the gig.

exmediahack · Mar 28, 2016

PCLoadLetter said: ↑

Completely disagree with this.

The ambush should never be the first option, and some young reporters don't get that. But if it's an important story and you're getting stonewalled? Fuck 'em. There's nothing undignified about demanding answers from someone trying to dodge you, if the story is important.

If you're doing the work of a journalist, you're going to piss off people in power. It's just part of the gig.
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Not saying you don't get the answers and broadcast that they're ducking you.

The gig is to investigate, report and get answers. Manufacturing theatrics I will leave to the others. If it happens during the interview, great.

Twirling Time · Mar 28, 2016

Guy's lucky he isn't alligator food right now.

Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!! · Mar 29, 2016

Sic 'Em!

Previously, WBRZ and WBRZ.com have reported documents obtained by the Investigative Unit indicated that during the week of April 6 until April 19, 2015, Mayor Jermarr Williams earned $20.31 per hour. That's about $40,000 per year. Later, from November 16 thru the 29th, check registers indicated his salary increased to $24.44; about $51,000. That hourly rate equates to almost a 20 percent raise. WBRZ is told any increase to the mayor's salary needs to be done by ordinance and the records request was set to show when an ordinance was approved by city council members for the new salary.
Last year, citizens of White Castle sued, claiming Williams and the town clerk refused to produce public records they requested. Friday, a judge ordered the town to produce the records and required the town to pay fees associated with the citizens' lawsuit.
The White Castle Police chief was unavailable for comment. Calls to the mayor's office have not been returned.
"WBRZ stands by Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto," Director of News Lee Polowczuk, said in a statement. "That’s first and foremost. The public expects this news organization to ask tough questions and hold the powerful accountable. Our reporters are not going to be intimidated by public officials when we are getting you answers. Station management is looking into all legal remedies regarding this incident."
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Louisiana TV reporter arrested after trying to obtain city records

Riptide Well-Known Member

PCLoadLetter Well-Known Member

exmediahack Well-Known Member

Twirling Time Well-Known Member

Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!! Well-Known Member

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Louisiana TV reporter arrested after trying to obtain city records

Riptide Well-Known Member

PCLoadLetter Well-Known Member

exmediahack Well-Known Member

Twirling Time Well-Known Member

Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!! Well-Known Member

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