Journalism/tourism
I'm driving down to Troy today to see President Barack Obama's economic address at a local community college.
The truth? There will be at least two great public radio reporters there already: our Albany correspondent, Karen DeWitt, and someone from NPR.
So why am I going?
Call it journalism-tourism. One of the great perks of being a reporter is the Forrest Gumpian fun of being in cool places and meeting fascinating people.
I've had the experience the last few years of watching two sitting Presidents live and fairly up close and personal:
Bill Clinton in Lake Placid (stumping for his wife) and George W. Bush in Wilmington (pushing an environmental plan).
I always hope to find a fresh angle, a part of the story that other journalists aren't finding. But really, today, that's secondary.
Sometimes a reporter goes just out of sheer cussed curiosity. Tune in tomorrow morning for the story...
posted by Brian Mann @ 9/21/2009 06:07:00 AM
9 Comments
9 Comments:
No fair!
Mike, LF
Why you think it's necessary for our local news coverage to cover an event - what two hours from your home and six from the main NCPR office? is beyond me.
But if you must re-report what everyone else will be reporting, how about at least getting the location of the event right? It's in North Greenbush, not Troy.
Responding to the second Anonymous, who wondered why Brian would go to an event already teeming with hundreds (possibly thousands) of other reporters:
It's true that most journalists attending the event will report on the same highlights. This gives Brian the freedom to report on things that would otherwise slip by, unnoticed. Among these "below the radar" items: what this Presidential visit could mean to the North Country.
You seem to be paying close attention to the geography of this. So, you probably already know that what happens at Luther Forest and at the Hudson Valley Community College could have a profound impact on the corridor that stretches north of Troy—through Glens Falls and Plattsburgh—to Montreal.
It could mean more people, more broadband and other infrastructure, more environmental impact and more money in the Adirondack/North Country. But will these things actually materialize or are they so much fairy dust?
This is a big question and I, for one, want to hear what Brian digs up during Obama's visit. Don't you?
By the way, Glens Falls is about three and a half hours from our Canton studios. Troy, tack on another 45 minutes or so.
David Sommerstein assures me that—given six hours—he can drive all the way to NYC.
-Jonathan
Bravo, Jonathan!
I for one can not wait to hear Brian's unique take on the presidential visit...would love to be there myself....somehow, being in the actual presence of the public figure gives one a totally different feel and perspective than what we see on TV or hear via a second or third party...akin to attending a concert in person vs listening to a recording of the event.
Jonathan and others at NCPR,
I think what the second Anonymous said is something that concerns more of us - what's happened to the ADIRONDACK News Bureau? NCPR used to have three reporters (Chris Knight, Jacob Resneck, and Brian Mann) covering the Adirondacks for the bureau. Now, despite many of us believing enough in the Adk News Bureau to provide over $2 million to NCPR for it's growth, the bureau has shrunk from three reporters to one - Brian - who is showing much more interest in covering politics at a state and federal level than any of the day to day (or even season to season) issues that confront those of us who live in the Adirondacks.
Health care, education, climate change, poverty, small businesses, tourism, employment, these topics and many others used to be covered by the Adirondack News Bureau. We don't mind that Brian loves his politics (and, as he said in one post, spends a lot of time listening to Rush and others), but please consider that many, many issues go unreported the more he focuses on political analysis. Again, we're not slighting Brian, it just seems as though he's not as professionally challenged by the work of examining our issues of the Adirondacks as he was earlier (just do a search on the NCPR website's Adirondack region for news stories by the Bureau over the summer - then compare to a summer five or more years ago. You'll see what concerns us).
Maybe it's time he finds a political reporting position (where he'll thrive) and we get a new reporter (or two?) who's interested in re-awakening our News Bureau with curiousity and enthusiasm for investigating and reporting on what's here - in the park. Thank you for your consideration and the opportunity to express our concerns.
Two anonymous residents of the Adirondacks.
The anointed one is coming to the Capital District!!!
Frankly, who cares! January 2012, Obama's last month in office!
Hi folks -
Chris Knight has changed positions -- taking a job at the Adk Daily Enterprise.
We're still working out the bugs, but he and other stringers will be back on the air regularly soon.
Regarding my interests and assignments, three points:
First, yes, it's true that the North Country has been hit with a weirdly intense political season, with two special House elections in quick succession.
A little wearying, perhaps -- but these are crucial stories for our communities.
Second, it's simply inaccurate (wrong? irritating?) to suggest that I've done fewer Adirondack stories.
NCPR has led coverage of the white nose syndrome bat story; we've broken new ground reporting on rural healthare in the mountains; we've expanded the discussion of broadband access.
I average 4-5 stories a week. Of those, 3-4 are rooted directly in the Adirondacks.
Thirdly, my trip to see President Obama was, plain and simple, an indulgence.
That said, the reporting you'll hear from it will include some interesting stuff...
Stay tuned,
-Brian, NCPR
PS - Not to be snarky (okay, yes, I'm being snarky!) but no Hudson Valley Community College is not in North Greenbush.
It's in Troy.
-Brian
Yay! Someone managed to spell my name right!
Jacob Resneck
in Amritsar, India
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