Fame, Celebrity, News and Katie News directors tackle hot topics in Press Club Forum

By Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR

Three thumbs down and two thumbs up for Katie Couric. The jury's still out on the Steve Foley case. But all agree it's a tough call when a local reporter like John Mattes becomes the news instead of covering the news.

Five San Diego broadcast news directors joined the San Diego Press Club for its popular ³What's New in the Newsroom² forum. San Diego veterans Mark Evans of KOGO Radio, Fred D'Ambrosi of KFMB News 8, and Greg Dawson of NBC San Diego were joined by two new faces: Tauna Lange of Fox 6 News, and Craig Hume of KUSI.

The timing of John Mattes' unfortunate attack by a couple he had been investigating regarding allegations of fraud made him a hot topic. Lange said the fallout has gone far beyond Mattes' immediate fame. ³We've had to increase security around our property,² she said. Lange said she's received hundreds of emails from across the country about the story. Half supported Mattes' efforts, but ³half said 'those nasty investigative reporters deserve it.'²

The news directors agreed that they're more likely to run exciting or sensational video if it involves someone outside San Diego. They admitted that it's tough for television to cover a story as complex as the pension scandal. And while they suspect they might be ³getting played² on occasion by sources such as in the Foley case, D'Ambrosi said ³We may not get at the truth today. It's a long term processŠ the public will decide.²

Panelists agreed that broadcast news is becoming female dominated, and that it's hard to find good young male reporters and anchors. The theory? Women are more willing to put up with the low starting pay. ³It's brutal getting in,² said Dawson. ³It keeps a lot of men out.²

The news directors had a universal gripe of their own. Lange said public information officers in San Diego aren't as accessible as in other cities where she's worked. ³It only makes it more difficult. It makes journalists even more aggressive. I'm all for the Press Club trying to move forward on (resolving) this issue.²

And yes - the news directors admitted they watch each other's broadcasts. ³Wouldn't Macy's want to know what Penneys is doing?² asked Lange.

Posted Oct. 2006