The response from WAOH-TV viewers here in Akron and across the globe has been incredible. Positive feedback and encouragement from the community drives all of us to continue building WAOH-TV. Those who understand the media business see it for what it is in its current form. A community information channel broadcasting a combination of live and pre-recorded local shows and interviews. WAOH-TV airs shows and content created in the spirit of the FCC public affairs programming requirement and produced to the traditional broadcast standards local television stations strictly adhere to.
It is encouraging and at the same time frustrating to all of us at WAOH-TV when we receive news tips from viewers or even the occasional in-person visitor asking if we can investigate a local news story. Some of the letters and stories that have come in are beyond disturbing. Our hearts go out to those who report to us the conditions of their poorly maintained apartment complex, those who feel they were mistreated at a local hospital or even those who write letters from a local jail or state prison describing how they feel their rights have been violated.
I make it very clear in all my communication that I am not a writer or a journalist. I also try to remain as neutral as possible and allow guests on our shows to have the floor. All are welcome at WAOH-TV and when guests come on our shows it is important that they feel comfortable to speak freely. I have tremendous respect for journalists and understand enough about the rules and standards to know it is not a good idea to start sharing opinions or spreading information that has not been verified or properly investigated. This is the work of actual journalists. From time to time we have posted here on our website major local news headlines. Within those posts we make it a habit of linking back to professional, credible local news outlets. I regularly seek the advice of professional journalists and rely on them to guide the shows and content we are already producing.
WAOH-TV does not have a newsroom. There are no journalists or investigative reporters at WAOH-TV. There are talk show hosts and a technical crew consisting of IT professionals along with videographers and editors who work together creating content. Shows and features are produced and then posted to social media. Live shows and pre-produced programs air on the WAOH-TV broadcast stream on this website and through our apps on Roku and Apple TV. WAOH-TV is still in startup mode and we recognize we have a long way to go to get where we want to be.
When stories or news tips come in, all of us wish we could act immediately. If we did, our growth on social media would be exponential. If WAOH-TV had a new broadcast or regular news update that shared some of these stories and late-breaking news images that come in it is likely the viewership on our broadcast stream would also grow exponentially. For now, however, we are just not ready. Our strategy is slow and steady growth. If WAOH-TV management, show hosts or tech staff were to start posting and sharing unchecked information as it comes in without oversight or investigation by true, professional journalists we would destroy any chance of being taken seriously as a credible news source in the future.
In our view it’s better to have a smaller audience waiting for us to go professional then have a huge audience entertained by hype and misinformation. We respect our viewers. We respect local law enforcement and first responders and don’t want to hamper their work by spreading misinformation. We understand the consequences of slander and libel and the damage media can do when it’s all about ratings and entertainment. For us, it’s about community service over ratings and revenue. We knew going in that it can’t and shouldn’t be about ratings and revenue. If there were money to be made Akron would already have a TV newsroom. For us, it’s about building a platform that brings us together and elevates Akron. WAOH-TV is a group of media professionals who have done everything in their careers but this. It’s all about passion and purpose, not pay. And with that, keep sending us the news tips, story ideas and situations that need to be investigated. We will get there in time. We’re building an asset for the community one podcast style talk show interview at a time. For all of us, it’s just not worth tossing out our beliefs and risking our reputation for a few extra likes and follows.
We hear you, Akron. We have read your letters. We have reviewed your pictures. We know we could be doing more. We wish we could assist you and advocate for you. We know true journalists advocate for victims and work tirelessly everyday to investigate fraud, call out bad actors and draw attention to deceitful, criminal and unjust actions. Because we know this we would not attempt it without having full-time professional journalists on staff. With that, keep sending us your ideas, tips, feedback and letters. They are not falling on deaf ears. It is entirely possible some of them make it to other local media outlets for review by true journalists and professional, local reporters. We admire and respect this group tremendously. And with that, we firmly believe that we’re not ready for news, and we shouldn’t attempt it without them.