The Larry Kane Report

The events of the last few days, 14 killed in Binghamton,  three of Pittsburgh’s  finest, murdered in cold blood, brings up an interesting question for reporters citizens alike. Do important news stories have a shelf life? Or, as a country, are we getting too used to mass murder?. In  Pennsylvania, only a few of the state’s daily newspapers ran the killings of the three Pittsburgh police officers on their front pages today (SUNDAY), which is the most important day of the week for newspaper reading. The New York Times, which bills itself as the nations paper,  did not have a front page story. So that prompts a second question? If elements of the media don’t followup, does the public forget too quickly?

The Pittsburgh tragedy did not get the coverage it deserved. Followups on the upstate New York mass murder were limited. By last count, 48 people have been killed in mass murder in the last several years in America.

Followups are part of our business. But when journalists decide that mass murder is not a page one story,  we are beginning to face a serious problem. When attention must be paid, it is up to the media to make it happen.

Cable networks and the internet blanketed these stories. And you wonder why newspapers are facing challenges.

I never try to second guess decisions, judgment decisions, that are made by news people. But the weekend events, in some newspapers, were not given the attention they deserve. And there’s no way to rationalize that simple fact.

On the last item, the Pittsburgh killings, one thing is clear. This is a major news story, and one that deserved front page treatment throughout this area.

One national web page asked this week if we have become numb to mass murder. Maybe we have. But if the media sees a short life for these stories, perhaps, in our minds, we forget much too quickly.

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CHOPPERS ARE US

There will be more about this later, but a report several months ago on philly.com uncovered some safety challenges on helicopters used by the news operations of several TV stations in our market. The report was very timely. Because of a tragic accident, stations in Phoenix recently decided to pool their aerial coverage with one chopper for the entire broadcast community.  Safer? Yes. Wise?. Absolutely. When I watch the chopper wars to get video over our area, I worry, not just for the reporters and cameramen and women, but for the people on the ground. Two stations are already pooling their chopper coverage in Philadelphia. It is time for all the major stations to join in a cooperative effort to “pool” helicopter coverage. These stations have a greater responsibility to the people of our tri state area.  Being FIRST is less important than being safe. Helicopters, are very safe aircraft, but why take any more chances? Why risk the skies over news events and stadiums with so many choppers?

Frank Ford -

The death of broadcast pioneer Frank Ford brings back wonderful memories of the power of radio in this community. Frank Ford was a hard-charging voice of reason and logic in a time in our history when things were changing fast. He was an enormous success because of one key factor: his understanding of all the diverse elements that make the region work. At his height of success, Frank Ford was a hometown hero. In death, we remember him as a man who made people think, and entertained and informed in so many creative ways. Our sympathies are extended to his wife, District Attorney Lynne Abraham, and members of his family.

Whose earmarks?

Are you bored?  Have you not read any of my books to help you get out of your funk?  Maybe you simply can’t breathe, waiting for the end of the Fumo trial. Perhaps you want more snow, or you’re trying to find other distractions.

Here’s an idea. Call your Congressman or Senator’s office and ask for a rundown on the “earmarks” that have been set aside for your region. After all, the Congress has approved 34 billion dollars in earmarks. That’s 34 billion dollars! Some of them will wind up in our area. Find out what you and your community are getting. After all, it’s your money. Hopefully, they are bettr projects than the tattoo removal program that costs $700,000, or the $1,600,000 program for a new honey bee farm in Texas.

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CN8 welcomed the return of Larry Kane, the dean of Philadelphia news anchors, to on-air television with his new show, “Larry Kane: Voice of Reason,” which premiered January 29. The exclusive 30-minute show, airing Sundays at 6:30, features discussion and analysis of hard-hitting news and newsmakers that goes beyond the headlines to tackle the stories that have a major impact on people’s lives.

Continue reading ‘Larry Kane Joins CN8 Team!’

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Press Contacts: Leslie Padilla / CN8, The Comcast Network / 610.650.1157
Laura Brubaker / CN8 Mid-Atlantic / 610.650.2924

LARRY KANE, PHILADELPHIA’S DEAN OF BROADCASTING,
RETURNS TO TELEVISION IN A NEW ROLE:
“LARRY KANE: VOICE OF REASON” TO LAUNCH ON CN8, THE COMCAST NETWORK

Award-winning Newsman to Lead 30-Minute Sunday Night News Analysis Show. Premiering Sunday, January 29 at 6:30 PM/EST

Philadelphia (December 12, 2005) — CN8, The Comcast Network welcomes the return of Larry Kane, the dean of Philadelphia news anchors, to on air television. Kane will lead a new and untraditional broadcast format that will go beyond the headlines and into the heart of many of the nation’s top stories. The Emmy-award winning journalist joins CN8 to host “Larry Kane: Voice of Reason,” premiering SUNDAY, January 29 at 6:30 PM. This exclusive 30-minute show will feature discussion and analysis of hard-hitting news and newsmakers that goes beyond the headlines to tackle the stories that have a major impact on people’s lives.

Continue reading ‘Larry Kane: Voice of Reason – to Launch on CN8′

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