What's Up with you Dude? Vol. 7

Time to open up the email and clean out the inbox with another of the very widely popular "What's up with you Dude?"

So let's dive right in: 

Email 1 - I have landed a job in TV news and I hate it. There is so much drama in the newsroom and everyone talks behind everyone else's back. I feel like I wasted 4 years of going to J-school, to now work in an industry that I hate. What's your advice?

Scott - First of all, not all newsrooms are as you described...I know I have worked in a lot of them. Don't judge the entire industry by your first job. But, if you really hate it and want to do something different, do what all the others do. Go into PR. 

Email 2 - When you worked in TV news, did you ever had a relationship wih one of your co-workers?

Scott - Of course! In TV news it is not uncommon for co-workers to hook up. I have had relationships and one night stands (which is very awkward the next day in the newsroom). I have also dated women across the street at the competition. I have seen it happen so many times and I have watched as people have cheated on their spouse with one of their co-workers (I NEVER did that). You can say what you want about TV news people, we're all horny. I guess it's just too much time around the microwave truck. 

Email 3 - I love your site!!! I sent you some $$$ through the "support us" link on FTVLive. I was one of those people that was too cheap to join your site back in the day. After reading it now, I can see that was a mistake. I'm glad I can pitch in and help now.

Scott - I got a few other emails that are just like this one. I really want to thank the people that have given me a few bucks. I'm getting to the point where I am going to have to buy another computer and it will cost over $2 grand. So, all the money you guys are throwing our way is going to good use. If anyone else wants to send us a few bucks, here's the link.   HUGE Thank You!!!!

Email 4 - How's your golf game?

Scott - It hasn't been very good for the past year. Also, working on and updating FTVLive 7 days a week has not really helped my game. I find that I am practicing less and playing golf a lot less. But, over the past few days, I think I have found something (please note all golfers say that) and I'm hoping that it will turn my game around. It is no fun playing bad golf. I have a few tournaments left this Summer and I hope that I can finish the year strong. 

Email 5 -  What is the best and worst city (market) you ever lived in?

Scott - The best was Chicago and the worst was St. Louis.  

One for the Record Books

Once again I owe you guys a huge thank you!

Thank you for making July the best month ever in FTVLive's 13 year history.

Since launching as a free site back on Feb. 4th.... FTVLive has grown each and every month.

Our goal has always been from day 1 to give you the scoop of what's happening in Newsrooms and Networks around the country.... and do it without pulling any punches.

FTVLive never relies on the station's or network's PR people to give us their spin on the story. We go past the PR crap and into the newsrooms to get the real story. 

We bring you the good, the bad and the ugly of TV news and it appears from our traffic that it's what you guys want.  

A huge shout-out to the great companies that help sponsor FTVLive. We reached out to only the best companies in and around TV news and they have been awesome in their support.

As FTVLive continues to grow, we have a need for new equipment. If you have enjoyed stopping by the site, you can also help support FTVLive with a donation. 

A number of you have given this site a few bucks to help keep the lights on and the server running and we owe you guys a really BIG thank you. 

If you want to help out, stop by our support page  

And again...Thank You for Making July our Best Month Ever! 

Did Social Media Help Stop the Violence after the Verdict

I have a theory and I totally admit that it is just my theory...but I think Social Media may have helped stop the violence after the George Zimmerman verdict.

Let me explain. 

I have covered two very large riots in my TV career and when I say I covered them, I mean I was in the middle of the riots. Both times I was shot at. 

The first was in 1989 in Miami.  

Miami police officer William Lozano shot and killed motorcyclist Clement Lloyd as the cyclist, who was being chased by a police car, sped toward Lozano.

The shooting sparked 3 days of riots in South Florida. 

In 1992, I was on the streets of South Central LA covering what has become to be known as the Rodney King Riots. Those riots happened following the acquittal of police officers on trial regarding a videotaped, and widely covered police brutality incident. They were the largest riots seen in the United States since the 1960s and the worst in terms of death toll after the New York City draft riots in 1863. 

Fast forward to 2013 and many expected that history could repeat itself in the George Zimmerman case.  

TV stations across Florida braced for what they thought could be protests that could get out of control after the verdict.  

The verdict came down late on a Saturday night, it seemed like the situation was ripe for unrest. Zimmerman was found "not guilty" in what many had made out to be a trial of race relations. 

Yet, there was no wide spread violence and for the most part the protests have been peaceful. 

The media lead us to believe that it was because of a number of leaders asking for calm after the verdict. But, leaders have asked for calm serval times in the past and it has not worked...so why did it this time? 

I think it was because of Social Media.  

So how the hell can Social Media stop riots? 

Here's my theory.

In 1989 and again in 1992 the people on the street did not have a voice. For many.....they may have thought that there only way to be heard was through violence and rioting. Right or wrong, it was their way of getting their message out.

Today, anyone can have a Twitter or Facebook account. Their voice is no longer silent and it gives them the outlet they may want or need.  

It didn't matter if people thought the verdict was right or wrong, they could let their voices be heard.

On Twitter they can say what they want and their opinion can be seen by anyone with an Internet connection. 

Yes.... there were protests and yes there were a few arrests, but for the most part the protests were peaceful.

Many of those protests started when the word got out on Social Media. You saw people of all races marching against what they thought was a unjust verdict. 

No longer does just a chosen few that speak for a community. Now anyone on Social Media has a voice...anyone can be heard.  

Sure.... there were racists comments from all sides posted on Twitter involving the Zimmerman case. But, I much rather read (or not read by blocking them) the messages of hate than see it spilling out in blood and loss of property on the streets.

Tampa Times TV Critic Eric Deggans who wrote the popular book Race Baiter and is very active on Social Media, believes I might be onto something here (bet that surprises you and much as me). He tells me that he believes that social media did play a part in helping keep the peace.

"It was easier for people that were interested in the trial to get more information by following it on Twitter," Deggans says. He thinks Social Media might have helped cut down on some of the misinformation, which he thinks might have helped sparked riots in he past. 

But, Deggans also believes that history and the media predicting riots might have played a role. "The talk of riots, riots riots in the media angered many people and they were going to make sure that wasn't going to happen," Deggans said.

He also thinks that Trayvon Martin's parents taking to Social Media with a message of peace was very helpful. 

I know Social Media can play a part in dividing people, but it also can open up a dialogue and maybe just maybe help keep the peace.

That's my theory and I'm going with it. 

Where Did you Come From?

The graphic above breaks down where the traffic to FTVLive.com comes from. As you can see 75% of our traffic is a direct hit. In other words, the person has the site bookmarked or they typed in the address directly.  

After direct traffic, the next biggest is social media. But, that still only accounts for 11% of the traffic to this website. 

Links from other sites and search engine make up the rest.

The most searched word for the searched engines driving traffic to us is "ftvlive." The second most is "kiran chetry."

Go figure.