Howard Kurtz writes in the Washington Post about how the economy is forcing television reporters to be a jack-of-all-trades.
He writes in part, “Whatever the pluses and minuses, a trend that took root in local television is spreading to the pricier precincts of network news as well. When ABC News recently announced a massive wave of buyouts that could cut 300 to 400 jobs — up to 25 percent of the workforce — executives said its journalists would be expected to report, shoot and edit their own stories in addition to relying on film crews. All the networks, including ABC, have dabbled in the practice. But in an era of layoffs and shuttered offices — ABC will have no physical bureaus outside Washington — it is quickly becoming a necessity.”
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In practice, the move spares networks and stations from having to hire freelance crews, or send out a typically large contingent: reporter, cameraman, sound man, satellite truck operator.
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But many veterans view the practice as a step down. Gary Reels left WUSA in 2008 for several reasons, but among them was the prospect of becoming a one-man band and taking a 40 percent pay cut as Channel 9 renegotiated deals with its unions to allow reporters to shoot and edit their own footage. Most reporters and anchors at local stations have been forced to accept salary reductions of 5 percent to 30 percent or more.
Read the entire article on Washingtonpost.com >>