I don`t trust anyone`s opinion of somthing that I have my own opinion about,I am open to listen to all opinions,in the end an opinion is formed by facts and the people that have condisioned us by sutley having us practice certian behavior,so that in the end we habitually and predictably act in the way we have been sutley condisioned.They know how to get us to purchace certian things by giving us all kinds of reports,depending on what they want to sell.So ted Your opinion is formed from the envirnment You grew up in,you can take two people that live on the same street and send one to public school and the other to private school,they come out with different opinions of the same subject.My point is I Love to here others opinions it makes me unique and you unique simutanously being Human.~Peace Glenna~

I doubt there is a reporter out there who can affect a neutral and totally unbiased tone and posture during every report they make... a person wouldn't be human if they were capable of maintaining such a poker face 24/7.

Displaying emotion while reporting on a tragic occurance or shock when reporting on a horrific crime is certainly acceptable and I would think expected of you and your peers.

What is not tolerable is when a reporter weighs in with conjecture or displays obvious personal bias during segments on politics, religion, or other issues which bring an element of contention to the table.

Reporters have a right to state their opinion of course, just as every other citizen, but it would behoove them to keep their day job clean of such and instead use totally separate forum for the purpose. A blog for instance...

I totally agree with you. I believe it is the job of newscasters to "report" the news. Granted, I don't think they'd be human if they didn't show emotion, reporting on disasters; however, if they choose to give their opinions on ness items, there are many talk show venues where they can do so. They should take a hint from the entertainment industry (i.e. Dixie Chicks, Mel Gibson, et. al). It's probably also not a very good career move.

Just like newspapers have commentators the express opinion, I would encourage the introduction of a commentator on the local news. However, the commentator should not be the anchor or the reporter of a story. Sometimes, it is possible for a long time reporter/anchor to step away from the anchor desk to deliver a commentary. In fact, that is what you are doing in the blog. A reporter that has been successful in having a weekly column in addition to his reporting duties is Ray Hackett of the Norwich Bulletin. He seems to be able to report the political news effectively and still deliver an opinion or two or three with out damaging his "objectivity" or "credibility" with his sources for the news. In the TV scene locally, I think that long time anchor/reporters like Mark Davis, Al Terzi, Tom Monohan, and Jerry Brooks could be successful in such an endeavor if the local network executives decided that was a good addition to the local newscast. I seem to remember Channel 3 having an editorial by one of their executives about twenty years ago. The practice stopped when that executive left the station.

I believe it is the job of a newscaster to report the news - while emotion may play a part, and even in some cases, visible signs of disbelief about a certain story, is human nature. Overt signs of editorializing is, in all cases, totally inappropriate.

Now, if there was another opportunity for this reporter/anchor to host a show (even on his own network) where opinions were an integral part of the show, then fine, I'm sure he could wear both hats effectively.

Ted~
A journalist's opinion is one that should be left off camera in this case. If for an example, (NOTE: JUST AN EXAMPLE) you don't like Pres. Bush and 45% of your market supports Pres. Bush and you go ON CAMERA and comment on the President in your PERSONAL OPINION numerous times. You will loose 45% of your market, which may close a station.



Bob Brown
Orange

Come on, news NON BIASED? Since when? We are bombarded EVERYDAY by Channel 8, Channel 3 and the NH Rag er.. Register with the feelings of the reporter/newscaster/editor. Their anti Iraq war stance is OBVIOUS, their anti police stance is obvious. What gets determined coverable and non coverable has more to do with personal feelings of a station mgr/editir than time, money or public interest. Ted before blasting another reporter, look at your own station and its competitors. You guys do it too. Its human nature to spin a situation to fit your viewpoint...heck I guess I'm doing it now....

aa

you're right about "determined coverable and non coverable has more to do with personal feelings of a station mgr/editir than time, money or public interest"

except you left out OWNER

Years ago I trained for TV Radio, I was turned off by the fact that it is so CONTROLLED, even the songs on the radio, I mean why do you think you hear American Band on PLR seven times a freakin day??

people running the place have no imagination and are control freaks

you are however wrong about the Iraq War, what is in the news is just the tip of the iceberg

we left Afghanistan to invade on the whim of GW and Cheney

it is in the shape it is now because these guys suck at managing and planning

you have to ask some serious questions

why did GW want a reason to invade Iraq since 2000?

why did he try to blame 9/11 on Iraq and invade Iraq first instead of going after who really attacked us???

Bin laden was in Afghanistan, that comes first

then when that is completely taken care of THEN we take on the next SOB

our problem was and is Iran, they supported the Taliban and Bin with counterfeit US money they have been making since WE sold the Shah OUR printing machines before Khomeini took over Iran

Why do we not deal with Iran??

Answer:

BECAUSE HALLIBURTON IS HEAVILY INVESTED IN IRAN, HAS SEVERAL COMPANIES THERE EVEN THOUGH IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A US CITIZEN {CHENEY} TO DO BUSINESS IN IRAN, IN FACT ..HALLIBURTON EVEN HAS THE PENSIONS OF THE NYPD & NYFD INVESTED IN FREAKIN IRAN

SO DON'T GO SAYING THAT NEWS IS NEGATIVE ABOUT IRAN

THEY {REPORTERS} HAVE DONE A TERRIBLE DISSERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY AND HER CITIZENS IN COVERING THE CRAPOLA THAT THE BUSH REGIME HAS BEEN UP TO

LESSON OVER

Good grief... Iraq, Taliban, and more Bush bashing. Regardless - we are safe on our own soil and I for one am grateful for our country and the brave service-people that provide us a safe place to live. I think the blurr is we are fighting terrorism. If a reporter wants to express their opinion, I leave that up to the station and what they feel is best for the public. Particularly during election times, though, I can see the importance of being neutral in the reporting. As for mother-in-laws, I have mixed feelings. Sort of like the way I'd feel watching MY mother-in-law drive off a cliff in my brand new Mercedes Benz. Cheers!

8 always inserts it's opinion on stories. In fact, the stories that you choose to report are you opinions. When you in ject the bad words "New England" into a story where New England has nothing to do with the story, that is your opinion.

It is ones thing to do it. It is another to recognize this and try to correct it, which 8 as made no attempts to do. You STILL have that New England weather map on your station. Why do you need it? You are in New Haven, not Hartford, Sprignfield,MA, Boston or Providence, RI.

WATSON, were you fully aware that the FBI spent all kinds of money spying on John Lennon,just because they could because they had a licence to do so?And came up with nothing aginst Him.Nosey are we!Watson How low is this society going to go,and why do they think everyone likes paying for stupid excuses,we ain`t stupid,Watson.Did You read that artical on Yahoo about the FBI spying on Him and using anti-war for an excuse,Watson You would think He was a Danger to society.~Peace over and out Watson Glenna~

Ted, I would not want to see local news
turn into an "opinion" hour. Unfortunately that does seem to be the trend. Look atGood Morning America... goldilocks Diane Sawyer lets you know her opinion, with her squinting eyes and antagonizing questions. We need honest reporting and stories about what's happening right in our neighborhoods.