IDIOTIC MAIL

We put this one up for good measure.
It's not often that we respond to this sort of crap, but we felt it necessary to post this email in its entirety because this is exactly what's wrong with media in T&T.

"Dear Mr Martine, if you are so called. Yes, clearly some of the media personnel that you CONSTANTLY criticize are not up to international standards or YOUR standards for that matter but from reading your blogs, i have made a conclusion of my own......you have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with your time. Some of the things that you wrote are not of the slightest interest to anyone. Why are you looking at Shelly Dass' clothes? Now, to the point.........I believe that you cannot obtain a position in any media house, maybe because you are unqualified.......and clearly you are....because if you were you would know that placing children's names in the newspaper under the age of 16 is against the law (try consulting a lawyer before tapping away on your keyboard). Please find something better to do with your time (Working at CEPEP may make use of your time better). While our media personnel are out on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago working hard to get us the news you are here criticizing them. If you are so perfect then apply for their job...be the one at TV6 i.e. the cp operator or pay the women at CNC3 and CNMG a wardrobe allowance to buy clothes if you don't approve of them. Come on Mr. Martine be a MAN.....hope to see you behind a camera very soon, reading the news and not holding your breath as you claim Shelly Dass did, not mispronouncing "Duke" street as "Dook" either and not being dramatic as Shabaka Kambon.

Yours Disrespectfully,
Watch Dog."

Let's examine this letter paragraph by paragraph.
In paragraph one, the author is trying to blow his or her own horn by excluding himself/herself from the list of media people who are not up to standard.
First rule of thumb: don't blow your own horn. You are only as good as your last story.

2. Your conclusion that our observations are not of the slightest interest to anyone suggests your narrow world view.

3. We look at Shelly Dass' clothes and every other presenter for one reason - tv is a visual medium.
Let's tell you what industry experts say:
"Women: don't fall victim to NOISE! You've all seen it, flyaway, frizzy or huge hair, loud prints and stripes, tacky jewellery and makeup put on with a trowel. No one will hear a word you say if he or she is distracted by all that noise. The best anchors have no noise. Their appearance and delivery are as smooth as glass. Strive for solid colours, smooth hair, discreet jewellery and blended makeup."

http://watchttmedia.blogspot.com/2008/01/conflicting-reports-on-schoolgirls.html
4. We've referred to this post for good measure, but it would be remiss of us if we didn't point out that the point you took away from this post totally missed the mark.
We never implied that the names of the school girls should be posted in light of the new information which was coming in.
Perhaps this explains why so many people say they've been misquoted by the media.
We won't go as far as recommending literacy class.

5. Are you implying that CEPEP is a less worthy occupation?
Then perhaps as a member of the media you might want to keep that opinion to yourself since your contempt for that institution might be reflected in any story you may be asked to cover on CEPEP.

6. CP Operator? We've checked and double checked our book of television jargon and nowhere did we find that position.
Were you trying for CG Operator? Hmmm. Getting it right seems to be an issue with you. Hope your editor/producer checks your scripts properly.

7. As to these concerns: "...holding your breath as you claim Shelly Dass did, not mispronouncing "Duke" street as "Dook" either and not being dramatic as Shabaka Kambon.", let's refer you again to the industry standards.
Here's what the experts say: "Work on a conversational tone; keep the register low but natural; project your voice with your gut not your sinuses; speak it, don't read it."

BTW, your writing and analysis is as deep as an A'Level student who has never seen the inside of a tertiary level institution for an actual class.

Journalism 111
Humble messengers