“Strange doorknocker” story turns up on TV

Thanks to Margaret for sending that shot of her TV screen showing WSB while the reporter credited this site for the original “strange doorknocker” story (first report here, second one here) — which channel 7 decided to follow up on tonight. Actually, credit goes to Larry Carpenter (Alki Community Councll, Log House Museum, and West Seattle Community Recognition Award winner) for the original report – he told us a couple hours ago that channel 7 had interviewed him; we missed the newscast but after Margaret’s screen-shot came in, we found this text version (no video so far) online. WSB is described in the online writeup only as “a West Seattle blog,” but 7 still deserves props for crediting the source — last week another station we won’t name lifted our coyote photos without permission or credit (we saw it and called, and they fixed it for a later run; this website’s contents are copyrighted so permission is required to republish our photos). 9:51 AM UPDATE: Re: the door-knocker story, KIRO updated the web version this morning (without us even having to ask) and it now credits us properly (with a link too). Thanks!

Aim April 25, 2008 (7:48 am)

It’s kindof sad when the local “mainstream” media can’t find out what’s going on in the world…and a big reason why I stopped watching any local news a few years ago. (And forget their websites – the typos and horrendous grammar make me want to punch my screen) On the other hand, it’s a big compliment to you guys to know they’re looking here for material.

However, they DO need to credit you. You’re not just a random citizen blogger anymore.

Aim April 25, 2008 (7:52 am)

ps… I know you’ve got a copyright notice at the bottom of the page, but it is hard to see, and WAY down there. It might be worth putting it in the sidebar or even on the banner photo…

WSB April 25, 2008 (8:05 am)

Well, I was the mainstream media … the reason TV people can’t find out what’s going on is because there are too few people devoted to that. Your average TV newsroom here barely makes it into double digits with reporter staff, out of maybe 200 people who work at a station. And I was part of the problem, not the solution … an overpaid manager who could have and should have been replaced by a couple of people who do something more like what I do now, dig up and/or share as much info as possible. Re: the copyright notice, good point. After we get through Garage Sale Day, we have a lot of site issues to work on (including a better design that enables more content to be more easily accessible for longer, rather than the churning single column) and that goes on the list!

Aim April 25, 2008 (8:30 am)

oh yeah. I don’t blame the local reporters – they’re doing the best they can with what they have. I just think the “media machine” is fairly sad in general and could use a bit of an overhaul. But then, you’d know better than anyone. :-)

Karen O'Leary April 25, 2008 (10:27 am)

Hello.
I am the reporter who did the “strange doorknocker” story for KIRO TV. We credited the West Seattle Blog throughout our story, which can now be viewed on our website, kirotv.com.
Blogs such as yours are a primary way we learn what’s going on in the community. This incident happened late Tuesday afternoon, and we were able to do a tv report Thursday.
If anyone else hears from the “mystery doorknocker” please let me know and we’ll do a follow-up. Thank you! I appreciate any and all story ideas. You can contact me directly at koleary@kirotv.com.

WSB April 25, 2008 (10:33 am)

Thanks, as evidenced by the photo above, we know the on-air version was clear in attribution, but the web version last night (updated this morning as we noted) just said “a West Seattle blog” with no link. I know from my years in tv that often the web version is written by somebody completely separate from the crew that worked on the tv version, so that CAN happen, though it shouldn’t. Thanks for checking in — TR

JenV April 25, 2008 (10:49 am)

so we should add Karen O’Leary to our local celebrities list? :)

Jo April 25, 2008 (12:14 pm)

I live across the street from the Log House Museum, and when I got home from work on Thursday afternoon, the TV truck was parked in front of my building. When I asked, they identified themselves at Ch 7, but didn’t say what they were covering.
I don’t know that Karen O’Leary is a WS-ite.
Larry C was totally ‘intense’ and very dramatic in his interview. Nice job, Larry!
Jo Ofsthus

miws April 25, 2008 (8:45 pm)

Why Jo, they were coverinng YOU, because they’ve read your postings on WSB! :P

Mike

Jo April 26, 2008 (8:43 am)

To Mike: Not likely that they were covering ME.
The cameraman was filming down the street towards the statue when I got off the bus. That shot was on the newscast. So, because of some recent developments in the continuing (ad nauseum) Statue of Liberty saga, I did wonder if they were covering that. When I asked, they said “NO.”

Sorry, comment time is over.