CHANGING LOCAL NEWS

June 2000
		Should local TV news return to a simple, hard news approach? WBBM anchor Carol Marin and NewsLab Executive Director Deborah Potter take your questions.

Forum introduction Is commentary becoming more prevalent in local news? Can this "no frills" concept work elsewhere? Is television news losing out to the Internet? Has the pace of on-camera interviews increased? Why can't local news programs report the news without gimmicks?     Online Special Changing Local News Browse the NewsHour's coverage of the media

Titus King of Grass Lake MI asks: Has the talking speed of news delivery increased significantly in the past several decades? If true, how does the public accept this change? I appreciate a more relaxed delivery. And hyperactive interviewing leaves me asking "What's the hurry?"   Carol Marin responds: Some broadcasts like the McLaughlin group trade on high speed, high intensity dialogue...Others like 60 Minutes rely on a slower, paced delivery. I think there are a variety of styles depending on the program but I don't believe there is a uniform emphasis on rapid fire delivery these days.   Deborah Potter responds: I have absolutely no statistical evidence to support my answer, but I think it's "yes." It seems to me, as it does to you, that news delivery has speeded up across the board. It also seems to me that this simply reflects the accelerated pace of life in general. For those who find that pace overwhelming at times, there remain at least a few news outlets that won't rush you. And if your local station delivers news at a breakneck pace, why not call and ask them to slow down? You never know: they might listen!