Asheville News

Old TV rules vs new TV rules

Jason Sandford May 16, 2008

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

a funny list of rules — old school TV news vs new school — to illustrate how much things have changed.

Old rule: news is news.
New rule: news is marketing.

Old rule: news is never old.
New rule: news has an expiration date

Old rule: live shots compliment the story.
New rule: live IS the story

Old rule: weather gets the attention it deserves
New rule: rain is a lead story.

Old rule: Cover the issues
New rule: cover the emotions

Old rule: Staff experience is valuable.
New rule: 1 year is experience

Old rule: Cover breaking news.
New rule: make up breaking news

Old rule: Build credibility and you’ll gain a bigger audience.
New rule: Reach more people through the Internet

Old rule: Be good storytellers.
New rule: more stories, less telling

Old rule: Report the facts.
New rule: report what people say

Old rule: Follow the news director’s lead.
New rule: Who’s the news director

Old rule: Consultants suggest.
New rule: Consultants control

Old rule: Ratings rule.
New rule: Demos dominate

Old rule: Know your community.
New rule: know your research

Old rule: Bad staff behavior is not tolerated.
New rule: address your questions to our attorneys

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Next weekend: AMJam