Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the TV Reporter

As an EMT, we were trained not go into unsafe situations, regardless of the patient’s condition. Nope — not risking my ass, even if it means saving your life.

That’s why it’s so interesting when you see local TV reporters putting themselves in harm’s way covering the recent protests across America.

For example:

Not defending the cops here, but standing on the fringes of a riot might be — oh, I don’t know — a little unsafe. Would you go to a fire and hang around in the “collapse zone,” the area where the burning structure might fall if it comes down? Of course not — and this is no different.

Ah, but this is the noble profession of journalism! It’s not a job, but a higher calling, and informing the public is worth the sacrifice of my life.

Don’t make me laugh.

I’d encourage journalists to weigh the risks associated with any assignment. This includes fire and accident scenes, extreme weather, busy roadways, dangerously elevated emotions — and yes, riots. Your personal safety should always come first, and none of you are paid enough to take chances. If you think being on the sidelines of a chaotic situation, like that riot, is supposed to be a safe zone, you are wrong.

And if you’re a TV reporter in Podunk, Kentucky, don’t dare compare what your doing to covering a war. Those sort of journalists understand the risks — and they accept that when you go into a shitstorm you may be hit with some shit.

2 thoughts on “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the TV Reporter

  1. It’s ’cause “everyone’ want to be a star – have that video go viral. Viral = name recognition, promotion to big time.. blah, blah. And this is the generation that got trophies for participation – guess it wasn’t enough – now get off my lawn….
    and at some point there won’t be first responders to go in because its too dangerous, especially those places that rely on volunteers that do it because it’s the right thing to do. shakes head, goes back in cave

    1. Agreed. Volunteers won’t want to do it, and paid staff will finally demand better pay. They certainly deserve it.

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