There were so many interesting things to point out in those stories on Ms Salandy's funeral.
Both C News and TV6 began their newscasts with the funeral, but CNC 3 chose to bury (no pun intended) the story down at position #3 or #4 in their rundown.
TV6's Leeron Brumell told us Ms Salandy's championship belts are "now vacant". What does that mean? Is that a boxing term for when someone dies? Please enlighten us.
When Shelly Dass finally introduced the story from Sampson Nanton she had to pause for a while because it seemed the story was not ready.
And we finally got a stand-up from the man himself, but Sampson, what kinda dudes man posing is that? You standing there in the church yard with your very dark shades on talking and walking towards the camera, then whipping the shades off mid-sentence. Steups! Have you ever seen Anderson Cooper, Lyse Doucet or Katie Couric wearing shades while doing a stand-up? Well guess what? That's because it's a no-no. The reporter looks better squinting into the sunlight than wearing shades because it hides their eyes from the viewer and makes them look shady (again, no pun intended).
Then after you showed shots of Ms Salandy's body being lowered into the grave at the Siparia Public Cemetary (that word was scrolling across the screen for the entire newscast), you then went back to shots of people viewing her body inside the church, with a closing shot of the closed casket inside the church. Why do that wrong side kinda thing? So in the viewers' mind you dug up the casket and placed it back inside the church for effect? Steups!
For something like this, chronology works best.
And while we are on the subject of death in stories, Sharmilla Persad of TV6's story on the baby's body was very confusing. At first we were told the baby was left for dead, then we were told a dog was eating the baby's body. So of course we were totally confused because the word 'body' implies that a person is dead. Only when we saw the shot of the Forensic Sciences Centre did we know for sure that the child had died.
Ms Persad, the term 'left for dead' implies the person was severely attacked/beaten but survived (see this story as an example). Don't you have a producer to check these simple things? We are sure you confused the majority of your viewers.
Then the graphic over Shelly Dass-Clarke's shoulder on that story on the Arima student read "Student Found Dead", but in Melissa Williams' story we were told that the teachers assisted the young lady and took her to the hospital, and while she was being treated she was pronounced dead. So when exactly did she die?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
POLICE 'SOLVE' THE YEAR'S FIRST MURDER
We heard an interesting story on TV6 on Tuesday evening...Diane Baldeo told us that the police had solved the first murder of 2009, that of Curtis Moses of Upper 'Tumpuna' Road in Tunapuna.
We don't know who wrote the story because it was a voice over, but it sounded really dumb.
When you think of a murder being solved, you think of months of police work interviewing witnesses and scouring the streets for suspects while collecting evidence.
But in the story we were told that the police held the suspect (a relative of the dead man) shortly after the incident.
That's what you call solving? Someone in the crowd probably pointed out the suspect, or he/she was still on spot when the police arrived. Steups!
Double steups! if that was a press release from the Police Headquarters (although we did not hear that story anywhere else).
Also on Tuesday we caught Giselle McIntyre of IE News primping with a huge blue/purple-rimmed circular mirror just minutes before the news began at 6:30. Not your fault Giselle, and we are certain you dealt with the idiot who punched you up looking less than 100% professional.
We also caught (well kinda) Diane Baldeo adjusting her hair during stories. She began the newscast with her unkempt/desperately in need of a haircut-hair cascading over her shoulders. But by the time she returned from Marcia Hope's story, the ends of her hair were tucked away behind her shoulders.
Thanks for small mercies, and kudos for getting a haircut by Thursday.
We don't know who wrote the story because it was a voice over, but it sounded really dumb.
When you think of a murder being solved, you think of months of police work interviewing witnesses and scouring the streets for suspects while collecting evidence.
But in the story we were told that the police held the suspect (a relative of the dead man) shortly after the incident.
That's what you call solving? Someone in the crowd probably pointed out the suspect, or he/she was still on spot when the police arrived. Steups!
Double steups! if that was a press release from the Police Headquarters (although we did not hear that story anywhere else).
Also on Tuesday we caught Giselle McIntyre of IE News primping with a huge blue/purple-rimmed circular mirror just minutes before the news began at 6:30. Not your fault Giselle, and we are certain you dealt with the idiot who punched you up looking less than 100% professional.
We also caught (well kinda) Diane Baldeo adjusting her hair during stories. She began the newscast with her unkempt/desperately in need of a haircut-hair cascading over her shoulders. But by the time she returned from Marcia Hope's story, the ends of her hair were tucked away behind her shoulders.
Thanks for small mercies, and kudos for getting a haircut by Thursday.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
"WHO ARE THE MORONS..." 3
Tamar Watson's (young woman injured in the accident which took Ms Salandy's life) mom also weighed in on the Guardian's headline "Salandy Knocked Out".
"The subdued mom adds that while some people are kind, others can be cruel. There was a headline in the Guardian that disgusted me. How could they say that Jizelle was knocked out? She was not 'knocked out'! She died! They have no respect for the family who reading that rubbish," said Watson."
And here are a few more comments from the Guardian's website:
"Who approved the front page headline for Monday, 5th January 2009? "Jizelle Knocked Out"? Was this an attempt at a joke? A young woman was killed Mr. Wilson. You, as Editor-in-Chief should be sacked after you apologise to Ms. Salandy's family and the nation. Shame on the Trinidad Guardian! And you wonder why no one respects the media."
"Fire the cretin who came (up) with that callously, insensitive front-page headline. Giselle's not "knocked out" - she's DEAD."
"You have to be kidding me. Ugh. Way to be totally ice cold with that headline, Guardian. Seriously, what were you guys even -thinking- when you put up that headline? Don't you have an editor or something who could have looked this over? Heck, even a three year old with A.D.D. could have checked it and determined that a title like that was out of place. FOR SHAME. And, knowing how these papers work, I'm very certain that an apology is coming....on page 8, tucked away in some tiny space where nobody is going to notice Guardian owning up to its foul up."
"Boxing star dies as car slams into killer pillar... Jizelle knocked out. Who ever came up with that headline is a very insensitive, uncouth, disrespectful idiot. I do hope the guardian does post up an editorial apologising to her family and fans."
Well if they do post an apology or an editorial to address this matter please let us know.
"The subdued mom adds that while some people are kind, others can be cruel. There was a headline in the Guardian that disgusted me. How could they say that Jizelle was knocked out? She was not 'knocked out'! She died! They have no respect for the family who reading that rubbish," said Watson."
And here are a few more comments from the Guardian's website:
"Who approved the front page headline for Monday, 5th January 2009? "Jizelle Knocked Out"? Was this an attempt at a joke? A young woman was killed Mr. Wilson. You, as Editor-in-Chief should be sacked after you apologise to Ms. Salandy's family and the nation. Shame on the Trinidad Guardian! And you wonder why no one respects the media."
"Fire the cretin who came (up) with that callously, insensitive front-page headline. Giselle's not "knocked out" - she's DEAD."
"You have to be kidding me. Ugh. Way to be totally ice cold with that headline, Guardian. Seriously, what were you guys even -thinking- when you put up that headline? Don't you have an editor or something who could have looked this over? Heck, even a three year old with A.D.D. could have checked it and determined that a title like that was out of place. FOR SHAME. And, knowing how these papers work, I'm very certain that an apology is coming....on page 8, tucked away in some tiny space where nobody is going to notice Guardian owning up to its foul up."
"Boxing star dies as car slams into killer pillar... Jizelle knocked out. Who ever came up with that headline is a very insensitive, uncouth, disrespectful idiot. I do hope the guardian does post up an editorial apologising to her family and fans."
Well if they do post an apology or an editorial to address this matter please let us know.
SALANDY COVERAGE 2
The Guardian reported on the hundreds of people who streamed past the body of Ms Salandy at the public viewing on Tuesday afternoon in San Fernando, as did the Express, as well as the Newsday which also carried additional photographs.
In that Newsday photo we see at least two video cameramen, but perhaps they work with really obscure tv stations which do not have late evening newscasts.
In that Newsday photo we see at least two video cameramen, but perhaps they work with really obscure tv stations which do not have late evening newscasts.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
SALANDY COVERAGE
More about media coverage of Ms Salandy's death.
"When all other newscasts, radio and television were raging with news of Salandy whose body was on display for the public on Tuesday, TV6 carried some other story on Jizelle way down the back of their news, done by Marcia Hope.
"And Marcia, you had an interesting focus in your piece about the regret of the man who gave Jizelle the keys to the car she met her death in --- why didn't you let that be the emphasis of your story? Don't you realise everyone else missed that? Good effort though.
"There you go again TV6, in your regional round up, there was a caption that read Chavez sends AIDS to, was it Gaza? Don't quite remember, but wouldn't that line be better understood if you just left it as "AID", huh?
"And to the person who asked about TV stations not bringing news on Jizelle's fatal accident on Sunday (the day she died) TV6 did bring a breaking news story on it.
"Ahhhh, Roger, Roger, Roger -- dear Roger Sant over at CNC3, do you need a break again, you said this country's first "OlymPrick" medalist was awarded today by Minister Gary Hunt" and some other. Dear oh dear, I like that one Roger...lol."
"PH"
C News at 9pm did not have any video on the family of Ms Salandy or the public viewing her body in San Fernando. That took place since 4pm. What was the problem? Instead they had some interviews from her hometown with people who influenced her over the years and other people singing and clapping. (That actually could have been recorded on Monday night).
Neither did we see anything on the viewing of the body on TV6 in their 10pm newscast.
"When all other newscasts, radio and television were raging with news of Salandy whose body was on display for the public on Tuesday, TV6 carried some other story on Jizelle way down the back of their news, done by Marcia Hope.
"And Marcia, you had an interesting focus in your piece about the regret of the man who gave Jizelle the keys to the car she met her death in --- why didn't you let that be the emphasis of your story? Don't you realise everyone else missed that? Good effort though.
"There you go again TV6, in your regional round up, there was a caption that read Chavez sends AIDS to, was it Gaza? Don't quite remember, but wouldn't that line be better understood if you just left it as "AID", huh?
"And to the person who asked about TV stations not bringing news on Jizelle's fatal accident on Sunday (the day she died) TV6 did bring a breaking news story on it.
"Ahhhh, Roger, Roger, Roger -- dear Roger Sant over at CNC3, do you need a break again, you said this country's first "OlymPrick" medalist was awarded today by Minister Gary Hunt" and some other. Dear oh dear, I like that one Roger...lol."
"PH"
C News at 9pm did not have any video on the family of Ms Salandy or the public viewing her body in San Fernando. That took place since 4pm. What was the problem? Instead they had some interviews from her hometown with people who influenced her over the years and other people singing and clapping. (That actually could have been recorded on Monday night).
Neither did we see anything on the viewing of the body on TV6 in their 10pm newscast.
"NO WARRANT, NO SEARCH" 3
This particular subject seems to have generated more questions than answers.
"RE - "Herself unto herself"
"I also found it very strange that a reporter (Anna Ramdass) was allowed to give her extensive first person view in the Express about this police raid on her house, and then do the follow up interviews herself.
I recall last year (perhaps before since I'm rarely in the country and rely on the internet news) that several reporters/photographers/cameramen were either robbed or some victims of crime, and it was reported as news items in their respective news stations / papers etc. Neither did TV6's Sasha Mohammed take up the issue of kidnapping as her pet subject when her brother was kidnapped two years ago. In fact, none of these reporters gave the first person account or follow up "war on crime" like Ms Ramdass seems to be doing (in her case it's a "war on police brutality').
"Now interestingly this entire episode is quite fishy...Ms Ramdass is certainly not a controversial reporter (her work which I have read in limited portions is quite basic, standard he say/he responded reports.)
She's not, as I said, any major reporter in any way. Yet the Express is giving her a free rein to write as she pleases and the papers even wrote an editorial on the matter. I have seen, though, that it has not even attempted to put anyone other than Ms Ramdass on the story, not even its crime reporters, to attempt to get the police side. The Express seems to be suggesting (by defining Ms Ramdass as a "POLITICAL" reporter), that the entire thing is politically motivated (and inferring it's the Government behind this entire thing).
"That is just wrong. Ms Ramdass's work I am certain will never attract that kind of reaction from anyone. She's too insignificant as a reporter for anyone, much less the government, to want to send a message to. Which leads me to the other issue.
Firstly anyone checked the background of this reporter? Is it true that her unnaturally close, personal friendship with a certain Express editor has ensured this type of biased reporting on this issue that is compromising the Express's credibility?
"These are the issues that must be fleshed out before one adopts that type of self coverage. And it's sad that the Express failed to realise this. How now, will they recover from this?"
"Concerned reader who wants ALL THE FACTS"
Ms Ramdass, we would love to hear from you or your editor.
d.martine6@gmail.com
"RE - "Herself unto herself"
"I also found it very strange that a reporter (Anna Ramdass) was allowed to give her extensive first person view in the Express about this police raid on her house, and then do the follow up interviews herself.
I recall last year (perhaps before since I'm rarely in the country and rely on the internet news) that several reporters/photographers/cameramen were either robbed or some victims of crime, and it was reported as news items in their respective news stations / papers etc. Neither did TV6's Sasha Mohammed take up the issue of kidnapping as her pet subject when her brother was kidnapped two years ago. In fact, none of these reporters gave the first person account or follow up "war on crime" like Ms Ramdass seems to be doing (in her case it's a "war on police brutality').
"Now interestingly this entire episode is quite fishy...Ms Ramdass is certainly not a controversial reporter (her work which I have read in limited portions is quite basic, standard he say/he responded reports.)
She's not, as I said, any major reporter in any way. Yet the Express is giving her a free rein to write as she pleases and the papers even wrote an editorial on the matter. I have seen, though, that it has not even attempted to put anyone other than Ms Ramdass on the story, not even its crime reporters, to attempt to get the police side. The Express seems to be suggesting (by defining Ms Ramdass as a "POLITICAL" reporter), that the entire thing is politically motivated (and inferring it's the Government behind this entire thing).
"That is just wrong. Ms Ramdass's work I am certain will never attract that kind of reaction from anyone. She's too insignificant as a reporter for anyone, much less the government, to want to send a message to. Which leads me to the other issue.
Firstly anyone checked the background of this reporter? Is it true that her unnaturally close, personal friendship with a certain Express editor has ensured this type of biased reporting on this issue that is compromising the Express's credibility?
"These are the issues that must be fleshed out before one adopts that type of self coverage. And it's sad that the Express failed to realise this. How now, will they recover from this?"
"Concerned reader who wants ALL THE FACTS"
Ms Ramdass, we would love to hear from you or your editor.
d.martine6@gmail.com
"WHO ARE THE MORONS..." 2
Hmmmmm. We can't add anything to this one.
"This is a response to the reader who asked who the morons are that chose the Guardian's Monday headline regarding Jizelle Salandy's death. The morons were Francis Joseph (who was the editor on duty) and Anthony Wilson (who had the last say).
"I for one was outraged when I saw that front page headline. The Guardian should be ashamed and I don't even know why people continue to read that bogus newspaper."
Well Mr Joseph and Mr Wilson, we await your defense.
"This is a response to the reader who asked who the morons are that chose the Guardian's Monday headline regarding Jizelle Salandy's death. The morons were Francis Joseph (who was the editor on duty) and Anthony Wilson (who had the last say).
"I for one was outraged when I saw that front page headline. The Guardian should be ashamed and I don't even know why people continue to read that bogus newspaper."
Well Mr Joseph and Mr Wilson, we await your defense.
WIKI-WASHY 8
Here's an addition to the discussion.
"Dear "AD" I find it terribly hard to believe that Robert Clarke is in fact Trini"... I believe he used to post as CLJ which he later changed to CJ and was totally in favour of anything Shelly did.
"Those days I remember "Trini" making fun of how Shelly had to referee between Jack Warner and Sports Minister Gary Hunt when she brought them on her "Big Story" programme. CLJ or CJ came in defense of her, and the bloggers of this forum can pull back that exchange if they can find it, to see the comments on that programme.
"If "Trini" is Robert, then he took turns with others at trouncing on his now wife, Shelly Dass Clarke.
"Hmmm"
"PW"
Well PW, as we recall, "Trini forever" didn't exactly trounce the then Ms Dass over the interview. Here's what was said: "Oh my God!!! I love it. Shelly Dass is the best. She let them run away enough for good tv...but told them sternly (and funnily) "ok gentlemen, I said ok..hold on!!) Jack Warner kept quipping, Hunt kept provoking, Shelly in the middle....hilarious!"
"Dear "AD" I find it terribly hard to believe that Robert Clarke is in fact Trini"... I believe he used to post as CLJ which he later changed to CJ and was totally in favour of anything Shelly did.
"Those days I remember "Trini" making fun of how Shelly had to referee between Jack Warner and Sports Minister Gary Hunt when she brought them on her "Big Story" programme. CLJ or CJ came in defense of her, and the bloggers of this forum can pull back that exchange if they can find it, to see the comments on that programme.
"If "Trini" is Robert, then he took turns with others at trouncing on his now wife, Shelly Dass Clarke.
"Hmmm"
"PW"
Well PW, as we recall, "Trini forever" didn't exactly trounce the then Ms Dass over the interview. Here's what was said: "Oh my God!!! I love it. Shelly Dass is the best. She let them run away enough for good tv...but told them sternly (and funnily) "ok gentlemen, I said ok..hold on!!) Jack Warner kept quipping, Hunt kept provoking, Shelly in the middle....hilarious!"
"NO WARRANT, NO SEARCH" 2
Here's a question for the photographer from the Express who visited Express reporter Anna Ramdass' home.
"Did you notice Express January 5 2009 pg 11 photo captioned Disarray, purporting to be a bedroom that was ransacked by gunmen at the home of Express reporter Anna Ramdass? Unless Ms. Ramdass is a food addict, the room is filled with kitchen appliances e.g. stove, microwave, bowls, utensils, a kitchen counter, bottles and jars etc. I might be fooled into thinking that ....duh... it might be a kitchen instead?!!"
"Mirthrandir The Laughing Wizard"
"Did you notice Express January 5 2009 pg 11 photo captioned Disarray, purporting to be a bedroom that was ransacked by gunmen at the home of Express reporter Anna Ramdass? Unless Ms. Ramdass is a food addict, the room is filled with kitchen appliances e.g. stove, microwave, bowls, utensils, a kitchen counter, bottles and jars etc. I might be fooled into thinking that ....duh... it might be a kitchen instead?!!"
"Mirthrandir The Laughing Wizard"
MS. SALANDY, CNMG & MS. RAMDASS
The heading says it all.
"Hi,
"A few observations:
"1) Is the late Ms. Salandy's first name Jizelle or Giselle? The Express and Guardian spell ii Jizelle; the Newsday spells it Giselle. I even saw a story where Ms. Salandy was called Jizelle in the body of the story, but Giselle in the photo caption. Why can't our reporters get these basic facts right? After all, this was a national hero, an accomplished athlete widely reported on before her death. How can we still be getting her name wrong???
"Also, the Guardian headline was incredibly insensitive. I've seen editors lose their jobs for that type of insensitivity. I can't believe that this type of garbage still passes for journalism in T&T. It's a disgrace. New year, new site, same ole rubbish...
"2) I visited the CNMG website after 'Trini' commented on it and found it to be really visually engaging (good photography, visuals, good use of white space etc.). The site is also the most accessible of all the Trini news sites I've visited. Sadly, the reporting was poor. I also glanced at the presenter bios and have to wonder: Is CNMG a 'friends and family' company? I saw that the Lee ladies are sisters, and I also saw two ladies with the surname Briggs who resembled each other. Are they also related? Also, some of the bios were shockingly infantile. The impression I left with is that this was a group of interns having fun at taxpayers' expense. If memory serves me correctly, the government has spent something like TT$135+ million on CNMG's operations so far? Amazing...
"I also wonder -- and I don't know if it has been debated here before -- about the government owning a media company and a major broadcaster. Do we need state-run media at this point in our country's development? Is there really a case for government owning media today? There is frequent outcry over big corporations owning media companies and of media concentration in too few hands. I think government-owned media are even more dangerous given the risk of these being used for propaganda. How aggressively and objectively can/does CNMG report on government matters? Given Manning's tantrum at a radio station a short while ago, I would doubt that CNMG can do anything but toe the line. Is this acceptable? Are CNMG's journalists credible? I see many (useful) comments on this blog about how to present news in a professional manner and so on, but can we trust the very veracity of the reports on government matters when the source is state-funded? Just some thoughts...
"3) The Anna Ramdass interview -- I agree that this story raises serious questions about self-interest vs the public interest. I sympathise with Ms. Ramdass's plight, but these types of police abuses have been happening for as long as I can remember. In fact, I always wondered why it is the media never took up the challenge of defending people in depressed areas who are subjected to this type of police harassment (and in some cases, brutality) on a regular basis. Why is it that because it is a reporter and Valsayn resident that all of a sudden we feel a need to investigate citizens' rights? Is this by accident? No, the fact is T&T media are generally biased against the powerless. Think about how crazy this is: the media, which exist to check abuses of power by the powerful, often tacitly support such abuses. Then when it happens to one of their own they seek public sympathy.
Trinidad nice yes..."
"Mike"
Thanks Mike for the observations. You beat us to the question of the spelling of Ms Salandy's first name.
"Hi,
"A few observations:
"1) Is the late Ms. Salandy's first name Jizelle or Giselle? The Express and Guardian spell ii Jizelle; the Newsday spells it Giselle. I even saw a story where Ms. Salandy was called Jizelle in the body of the story, but Giselle in the photo caption. Why can't our reporters get these basic facts right? After all, this was a national hero, an accomplished athlete widely reported on before her death. How can we still be getting her name wrong???
"Also, the Guardian headline was incredibly insensitive. I've seen editors lose their jobs for that type of insensitivity. I can't believe that this type of garbage still passes for journalism in T&T. It's a disgrace. New year, new site, same ole rubbish...
"2) I visited the CNMG website after 'Trini' commented on it and found it to be really visually engaging (good photography, visuals, good use of white space etc.). The site is also the most accessible of all the Trini news sites I've visited. Sadly, the reporting was poor. I also glanced at the presenter bios and have to wonder: Is CNMG a 'friends and family' company? I saw that the Lee ladies are sisters, and I also saw two ladies with the surname Briggs who resembled each other. Are they also related? Also, some of the bios were shockingly infantile. The impression I left with is that this was a group of interns having fun at taxpayers' expense. If memory serves me correctly, the government has spent something like TT$135+ million on CNMG's operations so far? Amazing...
"I also wonder -- and I don't know if it has been debated here before -- about the government owning a media company and a major broadcaster. Do we need state-run media at this point in our country's development? Is there really a case for government owning media today? There is frequent outcry over big corporations owning media companies and of media concentration in too few hands. I think government-owned media are even more dangerous given the risk of these being used for propaganda. How aggressively and objectively can/does CNMG report on government matters? Given Manning's tantrum at a radio station a short while ago, I would doubt that CNMG can do anything but toe the line. Is this acceptable? Are CNMG's journalists credible? I see many (useful) comments on this blog about how to present news in a professional manner and so on, but can we trust the very veracity of the reports on government matters when the source is state-funded? Just some thoughts...
"3) The Anna Ramdass interview -- I agree that this story raises serious questions about self-interest vs the public interest. I sympathise with Ms. Ramdass's plight, but these types of police abuses have been happening for as long as I can remember. In fact, I always wondered why it is the media never took up the challenge of defending people in depressed areas who are subjected to this type of police harassment (and in some cases, brutality) on a regular basis. Why is it that because it is a reporter and Valsayn resident that all of a sudden we feel a need to investigate citizens' rights? Is this by accident? No, the fact is T&T media are generally biased against the powerless. Think about how crazy this is: the media, which exist to check abuses of power by the powerful, often tacitly support such abuses. Then when it happens to one of their own they seek public sympathy.
Trinidad nice yes..."
"Mike"
Thanks Mike for the observations. You beat us to the question of the spelling of Ms Salandy's first name.
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