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by Rick_Garcia

Last Post 22 hours Ago


my thoughts and prayers
Dec 10, 2007 | 9:38 PM
Category: News
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Is it okay for a news anchor or reporter to say "my thoughts and Prayers go out to you" on the air while covering a news story?
I hear it more and more during T.V. news coverage. And I'm not sure it's our place to convey that to anyone. As I was watching the coverage of the tragic shootings at two Colorado religious insititutions I heard news anchors on more than one occasion end their coverage with "our thoughts and prayers go out to you."
The news we bring our viewers on a nightly basis is filled with tragedy. And there have been times before I go to bed I have asked in my own personal way that someone in need be helped. Is that where my thoughts about praying should stay? My home and Church?
The more I hear members of the media talk about praying publicly, the more it comes across as trite or even insincere.
Is it even proper on this blog space to talk about my Catholic upbringing? I'm not sure anyone cares or should even be made aware of it publicly.
I think I need your thoughts and prayers to help me figure this all out!
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Member Comments Total Comments: 18
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dasvics read my blog view my photos
Dec 11, 2007 | 9:56 AM

I couldn't possibly agree more. But it's not just people in the media that do that, a lot of us do.
I have said that I'll pray for someone, and I feel bad if later on I forget to pray for them, which happens all the time, because I don't know them personally. So I totally get your point. It does sound very insincere, it sounds like something people say, because there's nothing better to say.

"Is it even proper on this blog space to talk about my Catholic upbringing?"

If someone asks you, sure, why not? Or if you bring it up as part of an explanation as to why YOU feel a certain way about an issue, sure. But what I don't like, is when some tell others, that they're wrong based on religious beliefs. I can't stand it when some people do that. It's OK if you believe in an issue due to your religious background, but not if you're going to use that as a weapon to harass others that don't agree with you. Sometimes people forget that we have the freedom to believe as we choose in this country.
mystere read my blog view my photos
Dec 11, 2007 | 3:49 PM

Rick,

It just shows how human we are, and that we really do care about the people around us. I don't think that it is insincere if a reporter says something like that. By the way, I think what you are asking here would make a great email question for My 13 news sometime in the near future. I know the old rule that you are referring to regarding the reporter and the news story...I was a journalism student years ago, and I now work at a radio station. I'm sure you recognize my blogger name since you've read some of my emails on air.

Here's another side to the issue: there has been a big uprising by atheists who would jump at all opportunities to stop people from having religious freedom even in privacy...look at some of the foreign governments like Russia, China, Sudan, and compare the religious freedom those citizens have with ours...they have no freedom period! If you even talk about any religious topic even in private, and the government officials find out...kiss your life goodbye...they will execute you if they can.

I'll say it's fine to say "Our Prayers are with you" during a newscast...Freedom of Speech my good media colleague! And Freedom to Believe as we choose as dasvics says.

I look forward to hearing from you!

"Mr. E" from Cypress/Orange County
dasvics read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 10:32 AM

mystere, how is it not insincere if the person forgets all about it, or simply doesn't mean it? I don't mean to sound jaded, but let's be completely honest, I highly doubt all those reporters run home and start praying for all the people they said they'd pray for. Most likely they don't even remember them at the end of the day. It sounds insincere, fake, and as a result, I loose trust in those reporters. Because if they take that lightly, and are insincere about something as important as prayer, what else are they insincere about? Reporters are supposed to be trustworthy, meaning, very honest and sincere.
mystere read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 12:00 PM

Sometimes you just have to trust the reporters dasvics. I have fortunately met one of Fox 11's reporters: Christine Devine. I was covering the Billy Graham Crusade in 2004, and was also a counselor there; that's when I met Christine in the press area. She is one who does something when she sees a need...I saw the proof in front of me. That's the best thing that I can tell you for now.
mystere read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 3:50 PM

Dasvics,

I had another thought too: If a reporter says our prayers are with you, then forgets about praying, God Himself will hold that reporter accountable, and take care of things. I'm just glad that the Fox 11/My 13 news crew are not a bunch of Dan Rather types who try to fool the public with bogus stories. (You'll see the cartoons in my picture albums under the political category, if you click onto my avatar.) I can tell that Rick is a very sincere person...Rick, you know I mean it! By the way, the reporters just might be praying while reporting...God knows everyone's thoughts at any given moment, and answers prayers...sometimes in ways we don't understand.
mystere read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 3:59 PM

Rick,

If you do decide to just tell us something about yourself such as your Catholic upbringing, I'm sure that there are a number of us who wouldn't mind reading about you. You seem to be a very interesting person...kudos to your "Go In The Hole!" shout outs on your sports casts...those are great! I believe there is a faith category where you can post something like that, correct?

Mr. E from Cypress!
dasvics read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 4:09 PM

I get what you're saying. It's just that so many things are fake nowadays, that most do seem insincere. Obviously not one of us knows for sure, it just seems that way. And most likely is.
mystere read my blog view my photos
Dec 13, 2007 | 9:20 AM

At least we know the Fox 11 & My 13 news team are sincere.
dasvics read my blog view my photos
Dec 13, 2007 | 9:24 AM

Oh yeah? According to whom? That's your opinion. How about, we all make up our own minds, based on each persons actions. I’ll decide for myself, thank you.
mystere read my blog view my photos
Dec 13, 2007 | 9:32 AM

Body language has a way of giving some hints...and if you read some of the blogs the reporters have written, it can give some insight on their character...by the way, I work in the media, and have some training in reporting...I tend to pick up on some of these things...subtle, I'll admit, but they can be a clue to the soul...Cheers dasvics! By the way, you have some great points! I enjoy reading your responses!
dasvics read my blog view my photos
Dec 13, 2007 | 10:05 AM

Good points, however, people can be very good actors. I don't doubt that some reporters are genuine and sincere, I'm sure they are, but some can present themselves as one thing, but in reality are entirely different. Just like any person. Sorry mystere, but I trust no man. I only trust God.
mystere read my blog view my photos
Dec 13, 2007 | 10:14 AM

Good For You Dasvics, you have your priorities straight. By the way...great avatar (I'm of Japanese descent, and I was exposed to anime before most people living here were...late 1960s).
dasvics read my blog view my photos
Dec 13, 2007 | 10:26 AM

Oh really? That is very cool. I admire Japanese people. I have great respect for their culture. So much, that I'd love to visit and perhaps even live there for a while. I had a Japanese teacher in third grade, and I'll never forget her. She taught us a little bit of the language, I learned the Japanese alphabet, but unfortunately I forgot it. To be perfectly honest, I'd love to live in every country, for a while, so that my children could learn about different cultures and have an appreciation and a deep respect for everyone and how they live. It's a dream of mine.
LATINAWOMAN read my blog view my photos
Dec 13, 2007 | 11:30 AM

Good Thursday morning ! How can the reporters possibly report the news without having some sort of personal opinion . Reporters are human and a part of our society , whether believe them or not is up to us . I'll tell you what bothers me is when the news reporters dress like hoochies and talk about their personal lives on the air . Just dress and act professional , report the news .I think it's o.k. to show some emotion when reporting on a tragic story . Rick , do you really want the public to know about your personal life ? I think not . There is a fine line between your professional life and your private life . There are alot of crazy people out there , I say keep your personal life private . Just my opinion .
blcoffman read my blog
Dec 13, 2007 | 3:59 PM

Yes Just best to be sincere Rick, honest compassion and caring at the time you say prayers to all,Yes it should count for that prayer at the time you say it, cuz then who could forget. Good for you Mr.E... , Rick good blog & Thanks keep the prayers coming !!
gelatoprobono read my blog
Dec 13, 2007 | 9:11 PM

rule #1 in journalism: stay neutral.
craftyguy read my blog
Dec 13, 2007 | 11:07 PM

thoughts and prayers are for the taliban..a reporter rerports the news with no feeling with no slant news is news good or bad i for one could never do it but somebody must not have a soul
RaceNeked read my blog view my photos
Dec 15, 2007 | 9:27 AM

MysterE wrote:
"At least we know the Fox 11 & My 13 news team are sincere."

The news is whatever the media (in this case MediaCorp) makes it.
In todays ratings driven broadcasting sensationalism trumps necessary, relevant, political, and/or good news.
I would reference the fires in So.Cal.. Lets pre-empt normal broadcasts that we can show you LIVE the tragedy of someone loosing their ENTIRE life as their home goes up in flames.
Sensationalism...
Making a better story out of it would be something like letting everyone know where, or how they may help these people.
Instead...we get a story on where to go to donate MONEY to a special interest group (even Red Cross) where CENTS on the DOLLAR actually make it to the recipients; the rest is absorbed by the agency as "administrative costs", sometimes up to 80%(or more) of donations are 're-directed' this way, AWAY from the intended recipients.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
Neutral Journalism...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
They report what they are TOLD to report, and 'READ' the news off of a tele-prompter, written by someone looking to boost ratings - at any cost.
Coluld this include "stretching the truth" to get another point in the ratings? We all know "sex sells" maybe thats why Jillian and Dorothy dress the way they do!? Put them in bikinis and the ratings will skyrocket! Predominatly male, but what the heck; works for SPIKE. We'll just air a show on a sister channel for the women - GDLA with 2 guys in "pouches" doing a 'stand-up' show...
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Rick_Garcia

Rick Garcia is the sports anchor for the top-rated Fox 11 10 O'clock News, seen weekdays at 10pm. He also anchors My13 News at 11pm.

Member Since: 7/4/2006


 

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