Jackson Free Press

Watch WAPT, Channel 16, today (Friday) at 5 p.m. for an interview with JFP reporter Adam Lynch about his Honeymoon series.

Previous Commentsshow

Are they going to show the interview again? Didn't see this until now.

L.W.

Dec 2 2005

I'm assuming they will at 10 p.m. It was short, but important—about city accountability. Apparently, the Melton administration is giving WAPT a similar runaround about public information. They wouldn't provide them with the city salaries, either, including Rick Whitlow's, without a formal public records request. It seems they want to make it as hard as humanly possible for the public to get the information they deserve about the people working for them. Good for WAPT for pushing for accountability. Maybe some of the other media will start standing up for the people as well.

ladd

Dec 2 2005

That would be nice, but I have my doubts since WLBT seems to show a sense of "loyalty" and WJTV has been hijacked by the C-L.

L.W.

Dec 2 2005

So the TV is giving play to the JFP ?

Herman Snell

Dec 3 2005

They didn't show the interview again, so I'll look for it on the Web site.

L.W.

Dec 3 2005

I can't find it on the web site. Bummer. Cheers, TH

Tom Head

Dec 3 2005

It is too bad. I often have trouble finding a story on their site. I couldn't find the one from a few days back about WAPT not being able to get crime stats from the city administration. These are important stories. They should be prominently displayed on their Web site. (Hint, hint, guys.) Yes, Herman, TV -- or at least WAPT, which I've long said is the best local newscast -- is giving play to Adam's coverage of the city. They are frustrated, as we are, at the city's lack of openness with basic public information. And they are very impressed with Adam's reporting in the Honeymoon series to date. They were very gracious, and classy about the whole thing, and aren't afraid to give other local media credit. A bit shout-out to the local ABC affiliate. Their nightly newscasts are set on our TIVO now; I suggest y'all do the same. They seem devoted to the idea of city accountability, as are we. Let them know you appreciate it, so they can keep doing it. Reader feedback is very important at these stations. And, of course, Joyce Brewer of WAPT was the *only* local TV rep today who turned out for our excellent panel discussion on Emmett Till at Tougaloo. What a great crowd, and open and compelling conversation! And cheers to Joyce for joining us.

ladd

Dec 4 2005

If memory serves, WAPT is also the only local TV media outlet that covers the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Association, as well as the only outlet that covered the peace vigil sponsored by Sojourners magazine (yes, in case any of you folks are curious, that was me you saw in the third row--that was the day I learned not to accept hugs from people when we're both holding open flames). There seems to be a strong interest over there in, you know, news. It's an incredible organization, and they're winning Emmys left and right for their news coverage. I didn't like how they covered the gay marriage debate; it wasn't anti-gay, it's just that they went with renegade Episcopal priests on one hand and a couple from Camp Sister Spirit on the other. Both came across as unsympathetic. But the fact that they covered the debate at all, and covered it in a balanced matter to boot, is significant. Can't fault them too much for the web design, because by Jackson standards they're practically Google, but yeah, being able to access some of their excellent past stories would be really nice. WLBT is a little weak right now, though "3 on Your Side" isn't a bad thing. Maggie Wade remains my favorite local anchor (and I voted for her as such in the Best of 2005 poll), and I miss Woodie Assaf, but they're just not in the same league in terms of what they cover and how they cover it. I would say they're not as solid as they used to be, but truth is I'm not sure local TV news was ever as good as WAPT is right now. [continued]

Tom Head

Dec 4 2005

[continued] Bert Case royally ticked me off during the 2003 gubernatorial elections when, the day before, he remarked that according to the poll numbers, black voter turnout was unlikely to affect the outcome of the race. And I thought to myself: Well, it's sure as hell less likely to now. Thanks heaps, Bert. I still wonder why on Earth he said that. I don't think he's even a Barbour supporter. Still a little sore about that. But I love the man's voice, and I miss hearing him give the cattle market reports at noon over lunch with my grandparents. I think it's the lunch with my grandparents I miss rather than the cattle market reports, but they were a nice background. Nice, comforting dulcet voice. And it was relaxing. Never too dramatic, though I guess people who invested in cattle probably found it to be so. ABC's national news coverage is also, IMHO, the best of the three networks. Nightline is as good as TV news gets. (Though all three networks have their moments--60 Minutes on a good day is really great, old-school stuff.) Cheers, TH

Tom Head

Dec 4 2005