European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 18, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                To network news under attack by local news by David Webster f you be seen More features fires floods and human interest on the television network news recently there is 3 reason network news is under threat the threat of local news the response to this threat could fragment audiences and diminish our shared National experience of National events and it Coulch weaken further the television coverage of foreign affairs. Ii could also cause an even greater emphasis on the coverage of incidents  than the understanding of process. New technology shrinking regulation and Uncertain economics Are forcing change. Television network news is a ruthless competitive business not a Public service and it has been Selling a product that i in go nut of fashion. The reason is not Lack of skill in , or even of resources. It s a loss of rationale caused by new systems of satellite distribution la the affiliate stations. This has reduced ii in demand or wide ranging National hard news product.  news is very profitable so the real Price cult lil stations of carrying the network news for Ahlich they Are paid by the network is the loss of Opportunity to Molte even More Money by filling  Lime slow themselves. Advances in satellite technology and electronic coverage have increased the Speed and scope of the networks bul they have also brought into being More Independent Syndicate news services which in parallel with the networks it use Jet a provide National and  news to local stations. Those stations can use the material in their profitable local broadcasts As much or As Lilile As hey wish. For them the sustained reporting of foreign affairs is not a priority. They even More thin the networks feel free to ignore the ambiguities of unresolved National legislation and the complications of arms negotiations with the soviets and can opt for an airline disaster or a fire with Good pictures or a foreign Story of particular interest to their own  Community on stories of this kind the local stations pre empt the National network news and ironically often not Only by using rival suppliers bul also with the network s own material being fed to them earlier in the afternoon by the network s own satellite delivery system. Sometimes he  offer Good solid local reporting. Bul Luo often the competitive pressures Lead to an Uver Tonteri nation on , fires self promotion Ami Happy hat. The Success of local news programs and the  i ions Gimwing jail Ity to  iffy 1 heir limited the f Ucchesi of local news shows has forced the network shows to change i hair style. National and International appetite within them has sent the network searching after their new Mission or to put it in cruder business terms their new Market Niche. Maybe the role is to provide More context or new services but for some the answer seems to lie in looking More local in Mare Chat More human interest softer feature stories in avoiding the process of government and above All in dramatizing and humanizing otherwise known As  but others argue that that Way disaster lies you can t be More local la in local the logic runs and the attempt to do so destroys your own id Emiily and television network news "  v   i. Vii a ruthless competitive business not a Public service and it has been Selling a product that May go out of fashion. The reason is not Lack of skill or imagination or even of resources is a loss of rationale. Reason to exist. Therefore it b argued you should go up Market and Jwo vide the depth for television this is a comparative term and Ilie authority and Range Hal Many  shows Are unlikely to deliver no matter How profitable caring and engaging they become. The Bailie rages or i does t actually rage it goes on and on in a confused a f As the journalists and managers try to come to terms with the new demands made upon them and in redefine i heir Mission. They face he growing costs of gathering news with limited outlets to recoup their expenditures. This is Why they Suek Success and profitability not Only for the main evening a wins but also for a Range of other programs. The network news divisions have had  assumptions about their role and responsibility which Are not trivial and have for years been an acceptable face of a very profitable and powerful network operation in a regulated environment in which Terlain standards were expected to be upheld the notion of the Public interest however vague was propped up by  Ion. However Munib ersome erratic or inadequate in its application. Now regulation in the Public interest i unfashionable. I is going almost gone. And the networks themselves Are no longer the dominant and stable cart lures i hey once seemed to be. Their Market share has been diminished by Independent stations and by Cable bin Jii v re not Dawn and nut ust joining the ranks this . And news is a potential profit Center nut a subsidised National Monument under a preservation order. So it will change bul if it shrugs off in assumed traditional response Bililies who will then Lell us on Hal flawed impressionistic bul powerful and pervasive Hinr ailed television of those mailers which we ought to be told about even if we Are  to listen will that task  to a specialized Channel watched Only by j concerned minority of course communication takes  in the Point of reception not of transmission. And it May be  Many people do not fully comprehend Many of the stories of National and International events of importance that the network news has been trying in to i us about. So what in a profession you keep on trying. But a generation of professionals Irwin re in the values of print journalism and the earlier Days of radio is aging. These people who to some Exlene were institutionally protected Are being replaced by the children of video perhaps More adapted to the Market in a medium which assumes and encourages ,1 minimal attention Span some local stations will do a Good Job As do some local newspapers bul Many will not. This possible weakening of a  shared experience with the network news divisions trying in do their Best whatever the flaws should give us pause. The diminution of the no work news and with in of our sense of the world May be a self fulfilling prophecy Hal demands a significant Jet of will and the cur Orael reinforcement of responsibility to the Public to Avert. Such in act of will might even Lurn out to be Good business.  1 in advil Aii Ocilla do Imu it Tigu Enta Manl it h formal Mth Nahir of Ira bodied Al  of Lite dec pm won Mil arc left Lor me  pg4i j  18, 1986 trip re  17