Jackson Free Press

I'm tired of hearing about crime. I'm tired of hearing about Melton. I'm tired of hearing about the backlog of court cases in Hinds County, the suburban elite, and potholes. I need more than 30 seconds of good news at the end of the program. A lot more.

To me, the first five to ten minutes of the typical local evening news program is enough to make me want to put my TV on the curb for garbage day, but then I would think about missing Survivor, and I would bring it back inside before a dumpster diver claims it. Maybe I would wait fifteen minutes before I watch in order to avoid the bulk of all that depressing information.

However, how far would I go with this? What about national news? News about Iraq and other conflicts in the Middle East isn't that much better. Also, if I don't know what's going on in the world, or even my backyard, would that cause a problem? I mean, what if I decided to go to the other side of town by taking I-55 and I didn't see the report that the entire interstate was backed up for miles due to an accident involving a truck with alligators on it? I'd be wishing I took another route if I was stuck in traffic for over an hour.

Okay, that sounds completely ridiculous, I admit it. The point is that even I started to hate watching the news, I can't avoid it completely. Maybe I should just cut back a little - you know, pick some days to skip the news and watch cartoons instead. I guess finding a balance would be the best way to go, huh?

No, sticking my head in the sand will not help. I must remain informed. I just need to get my information without letting the information get to me.

Previous Comments

ID

108582

Comment

L.W, there is some funny stuff on the local news too. It is usually not intentional, but that is what makes it funny. So at least you've got that.

Author

GLB

Date

2006-11-28T15:15:29-06:00

ID

108583

Comment

Understood. I generally only watch it in the morning, when it's not so bad: and the camaraderie between Ken South and Erin Pickens is great. In the evening, however, I can generally find other things to do. I am so sick of the war it's not funny. If I want local news outside of WJTV in the morning, I go to the Internet. If I want it fast, I go to the C-L. If I want it right, I come here. :) And regarding the traffic: you'd be wishing you took another route if you were surrounded by alligators. We usually take the back roads. No alligators: just deer and a wide assortment of roadkill.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2006-11-28T16:15:49-06:00

ID

108584

Comment

Trouble doesn't last always. A change will come. Keep your head up.

Author

CodeRed

Date

2006-11-28T17:49:10-06:00

ID

108585

Comment

Shakespeare, what a moniker to choose! You should have to craft each of your posts Such that they conform in every way To rules of iambic pentameter

Author

GLB

Date

2006-11-28T18:08:33-06:00

ID

108586

Comment

Thanks, all. Yeah, there's some funny stuff sometimes, but the number of lighthearted reports seems to be on the decrease locally - at least to me. The amount doesn't seem to have changed on national programs. I saw a report tonight about the return of roller derby. Sounds like fun. Ow. :-)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-28T22:49:56-06:00

ID

108587

Comment

Roller Derby! Whoa! That totally rocks! (Or rolls, depending on your point of view...) When I get depressed about the news, I go here. It's an awesome website, with nothing but positive news. There is still much good in the world: sometimes you may have to seek it out.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2006-11-28T23:14:21-06:00

ID

108588

Comment

Thanks, LH!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-29T00:03:06-06:00

ID

108589

Comment

I never watch TV news; it's all sensationalistic crime coverage and "Gee wonder who will be the next to leave the city" stuff, and it's been like that for at least 15 years. Seems designed to keep people from leaving their houses at night. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-11-29T00:23:10-06:00

ID

108590

Comment

You're welcome! And remember: in the words of the incredible Bobby McFerrin: Don't worry! Be happy! :)

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2006-11-29T00:38:53-06:00

ID

108591

Comment

I also understand, LW, as I used to TiVo WAPT Evening News @6 but I took it off a few months ago because I got Melton-fatigue. I get enough of the scoop from this site and the C-L to stay informed. And the whole "If it bleeds, it leads" mentality is rampant in many local TV markets, not just Jackson. It seems like TV news reporters and producers naturally gravitate towards high-profile crime stories, going so far as to develop "special reports" on crime to garner ratings and scare the hell out of citizens.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-11-29T09:54:31-06:00

ID

108592

Comment

I can't help but think of the news channels in the world of Ron Burgundy. Every major story was about cute pets, from a fashion show for cats to the big panda-birth story. That is what TV news looks like when it's lighthearted. Of course, the movie would not have been funny if they sat up there every night saying, "A black man is wanted ... a black man shot ... a black man ... a black man. ..." You're better off reading news on the Internet. At least then you can skip over the stories about senseless mayhem if you're not in the mood, and you can skip over the traffic reports, if you're not going anywhere. When you watch TV news, you're just trapped with their very, very weird vision of the world: crime, weather, traffic, cute pets.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-11-29T10:22:19-06:00

ID

108593

Comment

I wish they would spend more time on the weather. I dont think 20 min. is long enough to tell me what the temp is, if its raining or the sun is shining, and what the weekend going to look like. And really, is there a need to "go back to Barbie" for yet another "first look at your weather" after they have already done it six times?

Author

colby

Date

2006-11-29T11:26:03-06:00

ID

108594

Comment

You're welcome! And remember: in the words of the incredible Bobby McFerrin: Don't worry! Be happy! :) I was just thinking about that song yesterday. I think I'll look up the lyrics and "study" them. :-)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-29T12:37:29-06:00

ID

108595

Comment

it's just like a ratings game, it seems. they try to see who can capture the most attention through the stories they choose to carry. they don't have to be positive, upbuilding or even encouraging... just get attention.

Author

for_the_people

Date

2006-11-30T08:35:10-06:00

ID

108596

Comment

I agree, f_t_p. And it's certainly obvious when the weather team interrupts two hours of programming for a thunderstorm.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-12-01T12:42:26-06:00

ID

108597

Comment

I am amazed that folks who live outside of Jackson watch these "local" stations. Surely there are newsworthy events taking place in Brandon, Clinton, Ridgeland, Madison, Canton, and other counties in central Mississippi.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-12-02T12:44:45-06:00

ID

108598

Comment

Wait... "exciting" and "Clinton"? You're kidding, right? Miss Rosemary wouldn't have that here.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-12-02T13:50:28-06:00

ID

108599

Comment

I feel the same way about local news too. There's always so much bad things happening, but at the same time, you have to stay informed about what's going on. I'm usually on the C-L's website every day, so I can at least filter out what stories I want to read or don't. But even then, you can't always be on the Internet. When I wake up in the morning, I do look at the morning news, primarily WAPT's. Recently, I began tuning in to NPR's Morning Edition during my morning commute for a more refreshing report on the news.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2006-12-02T14:03:03-06:00

ID

108600

Comment

It's mostly shootings and filler junk...Medical Matter...Pot Hole Reports. Medical Matters is nothing but a listing of studies and research papers. Your right about the CL website...and they update it all day. No stupid car commercials either. I do watch 3 in the morning for the helicopter. Not for the traffic...but the reporter does show some things going on in the city. I like Wilson Stribling and Dawn...somebody. The weather guy is an idiot

Author

GeorgeW

Date

2006-12-02T16:11:55-06:00

ID

108601

Comment

A friendly idiot..but still

Author

GeorgeW

Date

2006-12-02T16:12:42-06:00