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OK, so why is weather news?

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by ColbertNation, Jul 17, 2009.

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  1. 2underpar

    2underpar Active Member

    we have weekly weather stories also.
    usually, our weather guy talks to farmers, who say "we've had too much rain" followed next week, by " we need more rain."
    occasionally, someone will say, "it's too hot," followed next by "Man, it's cold."
    scintillating stuff, and readers love it.
     
    2underpar, Jul 18, 2009
    #13
  2. Den1983

    Den1983 Active Member

    Yup. Readers generally like to know trends or other stuff regarding weather, especially if they're in the midst of so many consecutive days at 100+ degrees.
     
    Den1983, Jul 18, 2009
    #14
  3. TheMethod

    TheMethod Member

    Watching my local TV stations, I sometimes wonder why they don't just devote the entire broadcast to the weather. Seems like they're dying to do that, anyway. And heaven knows it's the only reporting of any depth and nuance they do.
     
    TheMethod, Jul 18, 2009
    #15
  4. RickStain

    RickStain Well-Known Member

    They do it with good reason: people eat it up
     
    RickStain, Jul 18, 2009
    #16
  5. ColbertNation

    ColbertNation Member

    One more day would've made it old news, actually. It was leading up to an event that happened that day, and basically, the gist of the weather story was, "It rained last night, but it won't affect any of today's festivities." I raised two points with this: 1. One look out the window that morning would've told you weather wasn't going to be a factor, and 2. OK, do the story, but make it a sidebar, not the centerpiece. What they essentially did was turn this two-month researched piece into the sidebar because weather happened. I'm not against all weather stories, but you can't (edit: shouldn't) re-budget the whole paper just because of a thunder storm.
     
    ColbertNation, Jul 18, 2009
    #17
  6. MileHigh

    MileHigh Moderator Staff Member

    We ran weather on our front page seemingly a lot.

    And I always said -- it became a running joke, and everyone knew to bring it to my attention when it was out there -- that when we did put the weather out there, my saying was that it was basically the paper saying, throwing up its hands, "Really, we've got nothing else, so here's the weather." Same with sports (save championship game stuff).

    Of course, that paper is now 6 feet under ...
     
    MileHigh, Jul 18, 2009
    #18
  7. Second Thoughts

    Second Thoughts Active Member

    My hometown paper still does the "It's hot" articles when it's July or August when it's supposed to be hot. Weather seems to get them jacked up.
     
    Second Thoughts, Jul 18, 2009
    #19
  8. Mark2010

    Mark2010 Active Member

    yeah, weather effects everyone. If another Katrina is headed my way, I'd like to know soon enough to get out. Even a thunderstorm or heat wave can affect one's outdoor plans.

    Think about it: turn on a sporting event that is played outdoors and within the first five minutes the commentators are talking about the weather, whether it's wind, rain, snow, whatever.

    That said, yeah, if it's hum-drum story, not sure it has to be on the front. Guess it depends what else you got that day.
     
    Mark2010, Jul 18, 2009
    #20
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