Gloom, Despair and Agony on Memphis

What the hell is wrong with WREG/3? I've been watching the news more than usual lately, keeping an eye on Hurricane Dennis. WMC/5 and WPTY/24 & 30 are keeping calm about the potential for Dennis to roll right over our little corner of Heaven, but over at WREG it's all HORRORSHOW! ARMAGEDDON! WILD WINDS! all the time. Austin Onek today seems to be determined to paint the worst possible picture of what's to come.

I know that stations want to get viewers and frequently hype stuff to scare viewers into watching, but this is dancing along the edge, if not actually crossing a line. You don't hype hurricane worries. WREG has always had problems with the way it handles forecasts, hyping the bad and playing "happy weather" with the good, rarely just playing it straight, but this is a new achievement and one not to be proud of.

I haven't yet seen any of the stations try to make comparisons between what may come with Dennis and Hurricane Elvis two years ago, but I'm willing to bet it's only a matter of time. If you spot it, send an email.

WELCOME Peggy Philip readers! Thanks for stopping by and please check out the rest of the blog. If you want to read more thoughts about local news from a former insider's point of view, please also go to Jamey's blog.