One of the most common comments on WQAD’s Facebook page is, roughly, “This isn’t news.  It’s not worth reporting.  It must be a slow news day.”

First, it got the person who made the comment to comment, so it’s worth posting.

Second, whatever the story is, someone is likely interested in it.  Thus, it’s worth reporting.

And, third, it’s on a Facebook page, for goodness sake!  Facebook is not WQAD’s main news outlet.  Stories are not created for WQAD’s Facebook page.  The page is used predominantly to interact with viewers by posting links to news articles, be they on wqad.com or another news source, such as ABC News.  It takes just seconds to post a link to a news article and ask for comments.  It’s not like WQAD is ignoring other newsworthy items to post a link and ask for comments on a specific story that some might not find newsworthy.  It’s a stupid, unnecessary, overly critical criticism.

Every time I see a comment saying, “It must me a slow news day if this is your news” I just want to reply, “Yep.  It’s a slow news day.  We’re not covering anything else whatsoever except this link to this ABC News story about a boy with pink toenails!”

Posted: April 13th, 2011 under Facebook.
Comments: 1

 This questions was recently posted to WQAD’s Facebook page:

The budget stalemate in Washington could mean that soldiers at war could not get paid if the government shuts down this weekend. Do you think this is fair? Tell us your comments and thoughts.

It prompted quit a bit of discussion, which is the goal of such a question.  But, it also prompted some nasty, uncalled for comments from some people.

It started with Karene:

I heard that THIS IS NOT the CASE — that even if there is a Govt shutdown — soldiers pay would NOT be involved!? … You might want to check YOUR NEWS first — before spreading false info!?

Eric followed later with:

That is false. You are reporting lies. The U.S. Military will get paid, The SS entitlements will be handed out. Do some research before you report things.

And from Tony:

I don’t want to see a shutdown however the idea that the military won’t get paid is simply untrue. Why a [news] service would post an inflammatory question like this when they should know it is untrue is beyond me.

Okay.  It’s valid to question news content.  While those of us reporting the news at WQAD strive to be accurate, we are, each of us, human.  We an fallible.  We can and do make mistakes.  However, I fail to see the need to bash WQAD for a mistake in such a cruel and condescending manner.  And, this isn’t a mistake!

I did some research and discovered military pay, indeed, is threatened by a government shutdown.  If the government shuts down this weekend, military personnel likely will not receive a paycheck until the budget issue is resolved.  That’s a fact.  It is not a “lie,” nor “false info.”  The person who posted the question did “check YOUR NEWS first” and did “some research before you report things.”  These accusations from those commenting are flat out wrong and inappropriate.

So, please, keep WQAD in check on its reports, but be respectful about it.

Posted: April 6th, 2011 under Facebook, Journalism, Viewer Response.
Comments: none