Comments on: Behind the curtain: Why BSU picked Peak

By: Buster Bronco

Buster Bronco — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:11:32 +0000

I heard a great discussion on Sean Hannity regarding why the media pays so much attention to Obama and so little to McCain. The guests (two reporters and a Democratic strategist) said Obama has captured the media’s attention as John Kennedy did in 1960. The media has become paparazzi covering Obama. they photograph his every move and cover every speech because they want you to hear what this very engaging personality says. Meanwhile, the media covering McCain is covering someone they perceive to be an “old man” who discusses the issues and is a candidate who places substance over style. Therefore, the media is biased in favor of Obama.
Whether you agree or disagree with this conclusion is irrelevant. The issue we are discussing in this forum is why we no longer have solid investigative reporting. I have two theories: 1) It has been my personal experience the colleges and universities (at least BSU) do not teach aspiring journalists to cover stories in depth. I had a journalism professor who asked us to cover the fact women earn less than men. I challenged this stating we all know this is true. I wanted to know why and what could be done to solve the problem. The professor became angry and said he didn’t care why and what could be done. His job as a journalist was to make people aware of the issue and let society solve the issues.
2) If it is true the media has become paparazzi: the public needs to demand more from the media. If results are not produced to the public satisfaction, the public needs to stop purchasing and consuming that medium. Society demands a lot from education. Why should they not demand the same from the media?

By: Buster Bronco

Buster Bronco — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:25:28 +0000

Continue to monitor the story, Don. I have a feeling things could trickle out as we go along.

By: Don@IdahoRadio

Don@IdahoRadio — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:19:00 +0000

I doubt there’s much left to uncover, really. If there was any evidence of anything nefarious or deeper to this story, it would be in my reporting – or I would continue to root around for it. This may be “just a blog,” but this is really the definitive story on the matter – and I really don’t think there’s anything else to report.

By: Knows Don's Dad

Knows Don's Dad — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:27:05 +0000

Buster Bronco
Thank you for providing the truth. I think the Statesman needs to dive into this and ask some good, hard questions of what was taking place behind closed doors. Perhaps the bidding process needs to be made public so there is accountability and fairness in the process.
As Hamlet said, “Something is rotten in the Land of Denmark.”

I know I’ll probably regret asking, but exactly what nefarious plot and general skulldugery might you be alluding to?

By: Buster Bronco

Buster Bronco — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:02:50 +0000

I stand humbly corrected, Rainshadow. I forgot the “kids” at the Statesman are not capable of such intellectual pursuits. Since the Larry Craig debacle, we really haven’t had good investigative journalism in this market. I’m still not sure if that was investigative journalism or a witch hunt.
Jon Hanian uncovered the Brent Coles situation for KBCI. He is now Gov. Otter’s press secretary. The lost piece I saw that resembled investigative journalism was on KTVB with Steve Appleton after the Micron layoffs.
Keep up the great work, Don. Keep correcting me when I need it, Rainshadow.

By: Rainshadow

Rainshadow — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:29:42 +0000

Buster Bronco – Do you mean asking the BSU President hard hitting questions like, “If you were a tree, what kind would you be?” That seems to be the depth of journalism we can expect from the Statesman, today. Don clearly did a much better job of digging for the truth.

By: RadioActive

RadioActive — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:26:40 +0000

While reading this my thoughts were of how great a job you did on this. Great research, insight and organization. I greatly appreciate the amount of personal time and money you must have had to expend in order to go behind the headlines and dig out the facts.

Those whose comments came before mine echo what I have to say as well…. A great BIG THANK YOU!!! Now a prod to the other media in our midst to accept the challenge of going beyond the press releases and glad handing and becoming investigative journalists once again!

By: Buster Bronco

Buster Bronco — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:43:44 +0000

Thank you for providing the truth. I think the Statesman needs to dive into this and ask some good, hard questions of what was taking place behind closed doors. Perhaps the bidding process needs to be made public so there is accountability and fairness in the process.
As Hamlet said, “Something is rotten in the Land of Denmark.”

By: Rainshadow

Rainshadow — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:18:38 +0000

Excellent, Don. Thanks for the insight.

By: Rapidrunner

Rapidrunner — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:44:08 +0000

Great job, Don…and I, for one, appreciate the time and effort you put in on your ‘homework!’ Thanks, Don!