Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Emily Metzgar - and what you want from this blog.

I reached out to Emily Metzgar recently when our governor's staff asked for 3 minutes of live airtime during a 6pm newscast without any decent explanation. I found Emily's name among the state bloggers and emailed her asking if she had any information on what the governor would talk about. She kindly returned the email promptly and simply said...no idea. Of course later we learned what the "non-political" announcement was, Blanco would not run.

Since then I have checked in with Ms. Metzgar's blog and subscribe to her newsletter and find it to be informative and well written. In this article she discusses a study she is doing and says

"the way I'm planning to go about this is to look at agenda-setting measures--that's the idea that blogs can set the stage for what's discussed in the media and among decision makers and among the public. In political communication and mass communication that's called "agenda-setting theory."

Is that what you want from this blog? Agenda setting material? Check out this cenla blogger to find out just how disappointed he is with the local media scene. Do you agree?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

To a large extent Wesawthat is right. Michelle, you yourself have said here before that political corruption is not news until an arrest is made. No doubt knowing that we will never hear of political corrpution from the local newsmedia, is why the Dupree information was released on a blog. By not investigating and reporting such stories, the media fails to provide an important and informative public service. We cannot rely upon the media anymore, to keep us abreast of politics. Right or wrong, we now look at the local media as a mere propoganda arm of the establishment, not a separate "estate".

Anonymous said...

I still do not see what the fuss is all about with the Dupree emails. So what he used the city computers. Do you have any idea how many Alex city employees sit around on city time and post on cenla antics? Let's fire them all! You would'nt have anyone to restore your lights.

Anonymous said...

Michele, just wanted to mention that a tornado watch was issued for Rapides Parish at about 9:00 a.m. this morning (Wednesday 4/25/07) until 5 this afternoon and KALB never sent a text message out on this hazardous weather development. Maybe you could mention it to Mr. Konvica.
Thanks

Anonymous said...

Hey, it's Nick Mikulas in the KALB weather center. Just a quick note on why we didn't issue the tornado watch over textcaster. The threat of dangerous weather was not imminent at the time the watch was issued. This morning has been a good learning experience with how we will use textcaster in the event of severe weather, and after a brief discussion, a decision was made that we will let folks know about tornado and severe thunderstorm watches via text message. Originally, I thought we might just text message for severe weather warnings so we wouldn't be innundating folks with text messages. Upon further review it seems one quick message directing you to KALB or kalb.com would be a good way to let you all know of a possible threat, and give an avenue to get more information. Thanks for the input!

Nick

Anonymous said...

The big deal about the Dupree emqails is not that he used City computers, although that is illegal in and of itself, but, rather, what his emails contain. Accepting gifts and favors is aboslutely prohibited by the Code of Ethics. If he is being paid by the Aces, Louisiana Colllege or radion station, while at the same time his City is spending several thousands per year with them in advertising, may also be unethical. So if you want your government officials to abide by the law and not use their positions for personal profit, it is a big deal.

Anonymous said...

Dear Weatherguy,

Thanks. The messages are very welcome to those of us away from TV during most of our work days. This is a great service to the community.

Anonymous said...

The Dupree e-mails don't prove that he received any donations, just that he inquired about getting tickets. How do you know he didn't pay for them?

Anonymous said...

Tickets, jobs and clothing were discussed in those e-mails on Wesawthat's site. You are right that doesn't prove that he got them for free and didn't pay for them. That is exactly why we need an investigation.