S.D. Watch - S.D. Watch

Entries in Community Events (2)

TV News Chestnuts: Predictable Story #3--Big Event = Big Money in Sioux Falls

As a former TV newsperson, there are some stories you can just about count on from the local media.

After a tragic death, the survivors or families of the victim achieve “closure” (whatever that is) after the funeral, trial, or storm.
The rush to the post office before midnight April 15th to file federal income tax returns.
A big event is slated for Sioux Falls over a weekend and it always brings in over a million dollars to the region’s economy.
The mall is busy on Black Friday after Thanksgiving.
Gas prices go up and the man/woman at the pump doesn’t like it.
This election (whichever one it is during an even numbered year) is the most important in state history.
When it is hot, people think it is too hot.
When it is cold, people think it is too cold.
When it is dry, people think it is too dry.
When it is wet, people think it is too wet.

There are probably several more. Include your chestnuts in the comments and I’ll add them in a later post.

Today on KELOLAND news, we got to see an example of Story #3—big event comes to Sioux Falls and it means big bucks for the city. This week it is a soccer tournament (which I am refereeing in, BTW).

Here’s how it always go. You can basically just substitute the name of the event.

__________ event will attract ___________ people to Sioux Falls this weekend. They will spend __________ million dollars. This is good for Sioux Falls.

The names change and the events change but it is always the same story.

Please, someday, humor me and change this ritualized kubuki theater of reporting and say something surprising like, “While 3,000 visitors from the National Widget Lovers Association will converge on Sioux Falls this weekend most residents do not know what a widget is, don’t give a damn about widgets, or will wonder why all the restaurants are busier than usual on 41st Street.”

Come on, there has to be some other angle to these stories!

Technorati Tags: lazy reporting, Sioux Falls media, community events, economy, journalism

Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 by