Today's Headlines

• “One Man Band” Video Journalist Model Proliferates
  Call them VJs, backpack journalists, or “one man bands.” Whatever you call them, these do-it-all reporter/photographers are turning up all over at stations trying to cut costs, broaden coverage, or simply put more flexibility and options in the news director's toolkit.
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• NAB Show Debuts New Content Storage Conference
  A one-day event focused on the issues surrounding digital storage will be part of the annual National Association of Broadcaster's event this month. more » » » 

• Pittsburgh's WTAE-TV Wins IRE Freedom of Information Award
  Pittsburgh's WTAE-TV won the Investigative Reporters and Editors [www.ire.org] award for Freedom of Information Award, based on its success uncovering wasteful spending by PHEAA, Pennsylvania's state-run student loan agency. The station also helped win passage of a change in the state's open records laws. more » » » 

Briefing Room

• NAB Sues FCC Over New Reporting Requirements
  The National Association of Broadcasters filed suit against the FCC over its decision to require broadcasters to put their public-inspection files online and its creation of a standardized form that will require stations to provide the government with more specifics on programming in a range of areas -- for example, spelling out how much of their programming is independently produced.
• Senate Commerce Committee to Consider FCC-Blocking Move
  By John Eggerton
  The Senate Commerce Committee slated April 2 for a markup of a legislative maneuver that would block the FCC's recent media-ownership-rule change.
• Stutz Named Director of News at News-Press & Gazette Broadcasting
  By Michael Malone
  Michael Stutz was named director of news at News-Press & Gazette Broadcasting.
• NBC Puts Two Stations on Block
  By Michael Malone
  NBC Universal is shopping WTVJ Miami and WVIT Hartford, Conn., as the NBC Local Media Division seeks to focus on top 10 markets and its growing stable of digital assets.
• Tribune to Move WSFL Into South Florida Sun-Sentinel Offices
  By Michael Malone
  Tribune Broadcasting is moving The CW outlet WSFL Miami into the same Fort Lauderdale, Fla., building as its South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper. Sun-Sentinel president and publisher Howard Greenberg will add WSFL general manager to his business card.
• KMYQ Seattle Adds 9 p.m. News
  By Michael Malone
  Tribune Broadcasting MyNetworkTV affiliate KMYQ Seattle will launch a 9 p.m. newscast March 31.
• Blogger Laid Off at WKRN
  By Michael Malone
  Political blog producer A.C. Kleinheider was laid off at Young Broadcasting station WKRN Nashville, Tenn., president and general manager Gwen Kinsey confirmed.
• Granite Broadcasting Giving Candidates Free Airtime
  By Alex Weprin
  Granite Broadcasting will continue its tradition of granting free airtime to qualified candidates for public office in the six weeks leading up to the presidential election.
• South Carolina News Crew Attacked
  By Michael Malone
  Three women and a man who were upset that a WSPA Spartanburg, S.C., TV reporter was gathering news on the arrest of a family member attacked the reporter Tuesday in Union, S.C.
• In News, Money Talks
  Vendors are trying to help stations juggle the myriad requirements of 21st century news production with software-based systems that promise greater automation, both during the creation of news segments and in the airing of the newscast itself.
• NBC Goes On Buying Spree for Stations
  Two tech vendors announced at 2007 NAB major deals with NBC to provide news production systems to NBC owned-and-operated and Telemundo stations, as the network seeks to upgrade its local news operations.

Around The Web

Eliot Spitzer's one neat trick: Getting Diane Sawyer show on the air
The New York Daily News reports that at least one good thing has come out of Eliot Spitzer's fall from grace: Diane Sawyer will finally get to air her hooker special! The previously produced documentary on prostitution, featuring coverage of Nevada's famous Bunny Ranch bordello, previously had been held over fears it would be perceived as too sensational. For more>>>

TV station workers help nab escapee
A reporter and a news director from a Columbus television station helped authorities capture an escaped prisoner Friday afternoon, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.
Julie Bercik, a reporter for WLTZ, and Charles Collins, news director for the station, said they spotted the escapee, Cory Claycomb, on a street near the station and called police. For more>>>