Mel Hudman recently replaced Mike Barker as the local ABC Big 2 news evening reporter. (Mike Barker - a long time Midland news man - recently left the station for the published reason that his contract was not renewed. There's definitely a story there if only we could learn the behind-the-scenes facts. Perhaps they wanted a good looking young face for the news show, so Mr. Hudman stepped forward... oh wait, maybe that's not the reason.)
So, with Mel Hudman now at the desk it's a different show. Mr. Hudman isn't shy about expressing his opinion, and on a recent show he gave an editorial about how the main stream media is so heavily into broadcasting the negative news from Iraq and ignoring the good news. Blogosphere readers have known that for a long time, and it's very refreshing that a tv news guy is expressing it in public.
So many news people try to keep their political leanings a secret in the mistaken view that their customers want it that way. Where do they learn this? Is this what they're taught in journalism school?
A columnist for the Midland Reporter-Telegram recently wrote a column bragging about how secretive she was outside her own group of co-workers about her politics, and how open minded she is. Well, the truth is that none of us are really open minded about important issues.
And, as for newspaper people, their political leanings creep in whether they realize it or not. After all, they are the people who are selecting which Associated Press articles that they expect us to read.
Don't get me wrong. I like the Midland Reporter-Telegram. It's a great local paper. But, keeping the news reporters' and editors' political leanings a secret isn't really serving the public. Someone suggested a pretty good solution. I don't know who to give credit for this idea, but someone suggested that all news people be required to contribute $1,000 to a political candidate in each presidential election, and their contribution should be publicly disclosed. The dollar amount is enough that they wouldn't want to blow it to skew the listings. And, we the consumers, could factor that into their reports.
But, until that happens, we must celebrate those who take it on themselves to voluntarily disclose their own political views.
Since channel two is an ABC affiliate Mr. Hudman has an uphill battle if he expects to counter all of the biased coverage at the network level. So, more power to you Mr. Hudman.
LOL! You say so much, you know so little. However, I did get to start the day with a chuckle and, for that - especially since it's a Monday - I am grateful. Thanks!
Posted by: Jeff | November 29, 2004 at 08:49 AM
Jeff,
Your comment was long on attitude and short on information. There's a feeling among many news consumers that members of the main stream media display an undeserved arrogance. But, never mind about that.
It's not at all clear to me what's got you upset. Perhaps you feel that news from Iraq that makes American troops look bad is good news. Or perhaps you believe that news reporters are better off if their customers are ignorant of the reporters' political biases. Or, maybe it's just old school company loyalty - "we're number one" - and anyone who compliments an industry competitor has to be wrong.
But, in any event, your comments are always welcome. And, if you care to elaborate, you are welcome to do so in a comment or email. Plus, if you wish to share something confidentially, I'll protect your identity provided that doing so doesn't result in a threat of a civil suit or criminal charge.
George
Posted by: George | November 30, 2004 at 12:55 PM
George, EXACTLY! Thanks for illustrating my previous point so well!
Posted by: Jeff | November 30, 2004 at 01:43 PM
George, all you can do with posters like Jeff is ignore them.
Posted by: Redman | December 01, 2004 at 11:46 AM
Redman, that's good advice. Thanks.
Posted by: George | December 02, 2004 at 05:22 PM
As a journalist, Mr. Hudman shouldn't be giving his opinion. He should stick to the facts and let the viewers decide. This is Journalism 101. If you look across the television news landscape you will see this unethical view of news reporting is pervasive. I don't need to be told how I should feel about the news. Just reporter the factual truth and I will decide. Being an anchorman isn't running for political office.
DT
Midland
Posted by: Dick Trautwig | January 30, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Dick, it would be nice if they did stick to the facts and let the viewers decide. But they all have their biases, and it influences their work product in ways that aren't obvious.
I would prefer that they be open about it so we viewers could factor that in.
Posted by: Geo | January 30, 2008 at 05:34 PM