Media Quality Declines!
(We'll have that story coming up, but first...)

If you've been thinking that the quality of your local news isn't what it used to be - you're not alone. A new poll of media professionals shows that nearly eight out of ten say there has been a lowering of journalism standards. And they point a finger at media consolidation for putting too much emphasis on the bottom line, too much concern for ratings, and not enough staffing.
Full results of poll. . . Charts and Graphs. . .

The poll was commissioned by the Newspaper Guild, the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America East. 400 workers from a cross section of print and broadcast news professionals were surveyed. The poll concludes that these front-line media employees fear that industry consolidation has already compromised the quality of news reporting. And there's a fear that more consolidation will lead to too much control over the news by just a few corporate bigwigs.

Just spin the dial here in Pittsburgh. KDKA, WTAE and WPXI are doing more television news than ever while using fewer, less experienced news people. While many fine, talented veterans remain on the air, others have been shown the door. Those of us who remain, fear we're next. And it's not just the on air folks. Behind the scenes, too many inexperienced writers, producers and editors are put in positions that allow mistakes to be made.

And take a look at what we cover. Shootings, accidents and fires. While crime and arson are sometimes a big issue - these are the stories that are easy to cover. Stories that corporate guys believe will get people to watch us. But much less time is spent on the complicated issues that would require more time and resources to cover. How about race relations? Health care? Sorry - too complicated and not a surefire ratings grabber. One news executive in Pittsburgh once rejected a story about the homeless because "the homeless don't have meters", referring to the meters used by the Nielsen ratings service. Other findings from the poll show that 79-percent believe we have lost credibility with the public.. 74-percent cite a decline of quality community coverage. And 72-percent say there is too little focus on complex issues.

AFTRA national president John Connelly sums it up best: " media ownership consolidation is doing irreparable harm to local and national news coverage and thus to a key fabric of democracy in our country".

Big Media News Under Fire

This summer, a spate of documentary films have premiered that, among other targets, strongly indict our country’s news media. The films present compelling material, often the “off-camera” words and actions of their targets, to argue that our sources of daily information favor sensationalism over journalistic accuracy; kow-tow to a manipulative government; reinforce a culture of fear and powerlessness; and market themselves more than their news product.

This left critique of corporate media isn’t new. What’s striking, though: the charges are gaining popular currency.

Is there fire where’s there’s smoke? Consider Michael Moore’s searing expose of the GW Bush White House, “Fahrenheit 9/11”. This broadside pummels a President seemingly obsessed with war against Saddam’s Iraq even to the detriment of the war on international terrorism.

But Moore also lambastes the complicity of the mass media in trumpeting the war and the ultimate lie of Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction. In only three weeks, “Fahrenheit” topped $100 million in revenue, a new record for any documentary. Other independent producers have entered the fray—sometimes through under-the-radar internet sales of DVD and videos. There’s producer/director Robert Greenwald’s “OutFoxed: Rupert Murdock’s War on Journalism”.

Meticulously selecting footage from cable TV’s most watched network, Greenwald dissects, in his words, “how media empires owned by one person are leading the race to the bottom in television news.” Several Fox employees talk about how they were pressured to pursue a “right wing” point of view. “OutFoxed” had its theatrical release this month.

Another documentary, “The Corporation”, a work by Canadians Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, and Joel Barkan, is on screen this summer. The film attacks society’s dominant institution, the corporation. The filmmakers contend that the pervasive presence of corporations and their ability to avoid public control has led to controversial and destructive impacts.

One clip highlighting corporate power versus public good features Jane Akre and Steve Wilson, two investigative reporters fired by Fox News after they refused to water down a story on rBGH, a synthetic hormone widely used in the United States (but banned in Europe and Canada) to rev up cows’ metabolism and boost their milk production.

Contesting her termination under the Florida whistle blowers statute, Akre won a jury judgment against Fox of $425,000. However Fox won on appeal based on a technicality.

Other new films chastising Big Media for eroding the public interest include Director Robert Kane Pappas’s “Orwell Rolls In His Grave” and “Highjacking Catastrophe” by the Media Education Foundation. No doubt the appearance of these critiques is more than market driven: documentaries are seldom money-makers and are much more trouble to make than speeches or books. But in this election year, a polarized electorate is eager for stories to inform and support their political leanings. “Progressive” financial backers (they prefer that label rather than “liberal”) are taking a page from their opponent right wing ideologues. George Soros and others have stepped up to the plate with big dollars for media projects.

I believe Big Media needs the independent critics, left and right, to prick their inherent arrogance of power. Especially now, since government deregulation has drastically reduced competition, alternative voices need to be heard. Meanwhile, our members--AFTRA anchors, reporters, videographers, producers, talk show hosts, and performers — are in the center of the storm. We attempt to tell the important stories even as our employers and the environment in which we work are rapidly changing.

The challenges to AFTRA members are daunting. As a recent poll of media workers reveals, by large majorities, we believe that the quality of news coverage is declining. (See the related article by Paul Martino.)

Is Big Media distorting the news? No doubt. Fortunately, workers in the media have their own independent voice through AFTRA. Our contracts limit management prerogatives. Our organizing and lobbying champion the freedom of artistic expression and the standards of journalistic integrity. AFTRA pronouncements need not be filtered through the dictates of corporate management or Arbitron ratings.

That’s what democracy is all about. In this important election year, let’s be sure to keep it alive and kicking.

Infinity Gets Stern, Boots Four

WBZZ and its top-40 format are no more. It’s now WRKZ (K-Rock). The format change comes with the Howard Stern morning show, which is marketed to a more male, metal crowd. Unfortunately, four AFTRA DJ’s were casualties in the switch. Fortunately, their AFTRA contracts provide severance and some extended health coverage, proving the adage in this industry: “It’s better to lose an AFTRA job than a non-union job.”

Meanwhile, plans for the new K-Rock are unfolding. As we go to press, board-op'd music surrounds Stern and David Cook’s new mid-day show. Bargaining for a new Infinity contract (K-Rock, WZPT, and WDSY) are on hold pending the return to Pittsburgh of the CBS attorney following his national political convention responsibilities. A federal mediator is in touch with the parties to reschedule negotiations. Union proposals for retroactive scale increases, H & R increases, and protection from displacement by voice tracking are still front and center.

Clear Channel Takes a Summer Hike

Company bargainers for Clear Channel Stations WWSW, WDVE, WBGG, and WPGB are apparently lost in contemplation. They’ve been mum for more than three months while considering a federal mediator’s compromise contract proposal. AFTRA members at the stations are still determined to win voice tracking protections and H & R increases. They are checking the Guinness Book of World Records, “Most Bargaining Sessions” section. If the Company rejects the Mediator’s compromise, they may go for a new record.

KDKA-AM Talks On Tap

The AFTRA agreement covering the news-talk staff announcers here expires at the end of August and will no doubt be extended since Company negotiators are unable to meet. Members have been surveyed for their bargaining priorities. Welcome to new AFTRA Station Rep Mike Romigh. Barbara Boylan is taking a well-deserved union leave. Issues here will no doubt focus on wage scale, work schedules, and H & R increases.

AFTRA Vets Get New ESPN Radio Show

Welcome back to sports talkers Guy Junker and Eddy Crow who will take over the 10 am to 1 pm slot at WEAE 1250. The new hires boost the station unit and AFTRA membership. Former AFTRA member Jim Gracie is back from Seattle and the new ESPN Program Manager.

Station Vans Gear Up For Labor Day Parade

Once again, promotional vehicles from many AFTRA-represented stations will proudly take their place in the AFTRA contingent of the huge Allegheny County Labor Day Parade, Monday September 6. The parade assembles at Mellon Arena at 9:00 am. At 10 am, the giant contingent of union workers and their families, bands, floats and assorted vehicles begins the spectacular procession to Commonwealth and Liberty. It’s one of the largest such events in the country. Hope to see you there.

Summer's Not So Lazy

We’ve been busy the last several months. HB 147, the film production tax credit (that extends to TV programs) was passed by the Senate and signed into law in July. AFTRA Pittsburgh led the charge in Western PA to get this bill passed because it’s good business and good for our members. Just what we need to keep work local and get more work under AFTRA contracts—like Marty Schiff’s and Jeff Monahan’s “Chill Factor” series. Now we move on to HB 83. That bill extends sales tax exemptions on rented equipment to advertising agencies.

Our summer intern, Kersti Bryan, did a wonderful job of assembling a members-only benefit that you all have been clamoring for: a directory of producers, casting directors and talent agents with names, addresses, e-mail and other info. Everyone is included—signatories and non-signatories—we figure that if they’re non-sig and they want to hire you they’ll become a sig. Call the office and we can e-mail the directory to you. Kersti also talked with most of you to make sure that your contact information is current.

The on-line Talent Guide is still free to members in good standing and is filling up but our goal of 300 members (freelance and broadcasters) hasn’t been reached. Sign up today at thetalentguide.com. Mark Roberts is doing a great job of getting everyone posted within hours of receiving his or her information. Once we reach our goal we can begin marketing it to casting decision-makers.

We’re working on a Regional Commercials Code with Cleveland and Tri-State to replace our local codes so that your work opportunities are expanded. We’re also working on ways to capture more national TV commercials.

Conservatory will be starting again soon. Chaired by the imaginative and energetic Ingrid Sonnichsen, members create programming designed to help you hone your skills, market yourself and do the business of “show business”. Voiceover artist extraordinaire, Jeff Bergman, will be lending his considerable insight to the season’s planning.

Want to get involved in improving our market, capturing work and keeping it local, moving legislation, planning programming or implementing your own bright ideas? Call me at (412) 281-6767. AFTRA Pittsburgh needs YOU!

Sweeping Overhaul of Union's Structure

In New York City July 9th and 10th, I attended my fourth AFTRA National Board meeting, my first as the elected representative of the Pittsburgh local. Staff members John Haer and Suzanne Steidl were also present. The two-day agenda kept the Board busy, and the following is a detail of what was accomplished.

Acting on recommendations by a select committee of National Officers, key committee chairs and National and Local staffs, the AFTRA National Board, meeting in full plenary session at the Sheraton New York Hotel, initiated a sweeping restructuring of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

"The AFTRA National Board has acted decisively and responsibly to make sure that AFTRA will have the resources necessary to properly serve its members and expand their employment opportunities," said AFTRA National President John Connolly. "We no longer have the luxury of time to strengthen our union's finances. The Board has wisely and courageously recognized that there were no easy options and no quick fixes," Connolly said. The Board took the following actions:

• Endorsed the preliminary recommendation to move AFTRA's National headquarters from Manhattan to Los Angeles and instructed the National Executive Director and the union's Finance Committee to present a report and analysis covering the financial, strategic and organizational implications of that proposed relocation to the 2005 National Board Summer plenary and to the 2005 Convention.

• Adopted a National staff structure, giving the National Executive Director full authority over the union's National and Local staff. Previously, employees of AFTRA's major locals operated under separate staff structures accountable only to their Local Boards.

• Reduced its National Board from 113 to 75 members, and instructed the National Executive Director and a member committee to prepare a report containing various formulae for achieving the smaller size while protecting geographical representation. Reduction in the Board's size is subject to final approval by the 2005 Convention.

• Modified the number of regularly scheduled National Board meetings to three per fiscal year, instead of the present four.

• Decided, effective approximately May 1, 2005, to close the San Diego Local Office and retain one office in Texas (location to be determined), rather than the present two.

• Instructed the Finance Committee to examine adding a cost of living increase to the existing dues structure. Any such increase would be subject to approval by the 2005 Convention.

• Instituted reductions in both Convention delegate expenses and staff benefits, with the understanding that if AFTRA's financial condition permits, the National Board will consider the feasibility of reinstating both after the restructuring transition period.

"By making these difficult decisions, the National Board has taken the necessary steps to ensure that AFTRA will have the resources and capacity to vigorously represent our members in a rapidly changing environment," said National Executive Director Greg Hessinger. "These initiatives will reduce expenditures, increase revenues and create an effective national structure that is both financially sound and able to anticipate and confront the challenges of the future."