Author: Tripp Frohlichstein

STL station apps come up short during snow storm

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by TRIPP FROHLICHSTEIN / The local news stations are always encouraging us viewers to check the web or their apps for the latest weather forecast. Unfortunately, it is sometimes bad advice from Channels 2 (KTVI) and 4 (KMOV). Channel 5 (KSDK) seems to be much better at actually providing later information. The absence of weather forecast updates at both Channels 2 and 4 is noticeable and was particularly obvious during the first big snow storm of the season Valentine Day weekend.

The good, the bad and the ugly of St. Louis TV news

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By TRIPP FROLICHSTEIN / Media guru Tripp Frohlichstein dreams of delivering a “State of the 2014 Local News” address to St. Louis’ three TV stations (he considers Channels 2 and 11 one station as they share facilities and people). This is his dream address: “Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for taking the time to discuss the state of local news. There are times when the local media perform well and serve viewers in a meaningful way. Unfortunately, there are too many times when the opposite is true. So today, let’s look at the good, the bad and the ugly of local news in St. Louis…”

Different facts

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Watching two different stations may give viewers two different takes on the same story, depending on which facts they know and report.

Such was the case at noon on January 20. Channel 4 (KMOV) led with a live report from Robin Smith in South St. Louis where a fatal accident had occurred hours earlier. She noted that only MoDot was on the scene repairing a damaged pole. She mention homicide investigators had been called in saying investigators were “not sure why it happened.” Channel 5 aired only a taped version of the accident as their second story. They began with the line “Homicide detectives are on the scene…” Not being live, and watching Channel 4 live on scene, this was simply incorrect.

Serial journalism

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If you haven’t listened to the NPR show “Serial” (available for free as Podcasts online as http://serialpodcast.org), you are missing some of what may be the best journalism ever. Serial is a spin-off of NPR’s “This American Life.” The premise is simple. Reporter Sarah Koenig examines a single murder case with an abundance of questions surrounding it. Is the man convicted of the crime really the one who did it?

Bree Smith a hit on national TV

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On Tuesday, January 20, Channel 5 (KSDK) meteorologist Bree Smith appeared on the Today Show and made the people of the area proud. Smith was invited to do the weather with Al Roker in the 8 am segment after St. Louisians contributed more than any other city to a Today Show fund raiser (for food). The winning city’s NBC affiliate got their weathercaster on the Today Show to present the weather with Al Roker. Her performance? Just about perfect.