I was there. You’re correct again, Dave! There was seething anger, accompanied by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness due, I believe, to Iowa’s single party madness, our legislative imbalance, the irreparable damages being wrought, and a worthless congressional delegation.
My wife and I also were there. I suspect the lack of news coverage was due to not only “bothsiderism”, but also what Timothy Snyder terms “obeying in advance.” THIS is what is killing legacy media. And this is one funeral I don’t look forward to.
Great column! I recognize that it can be challenging to report the mood of a crowd in an objective manner when so many who were not present are quick to criticize, but reporters need to try.
Right. Reporters these days are going to be criticized regardless of what they do or don’t do. So they may as well tell the story as completely as possible.
After attending the rally "Hands Off" in downtown Des Moines, I anxiously came home to see how this played on the television coverage. Walking with the crowds, one sensed the power of emotion shared, but I'm not certain the journalists were walking with us. Both television and newspaper coverage explained in terms of as a "drone observer".
Probably right. I saw drone footage, which was impressive. And then the gathering up at the statehouse. Not much marching and chanting. Probably a single crew for TV, fearing that if they get hung up in the crowd they might not make it to where the speakers are. But I would have preferred sound bites with real people as they were marching rather than sound from organizers speaking to the crowd over a PA.
You are right! I'm an 87 year old lady, who made her own sign and am very disappointed in the pure vanilla coverage our rally got! There are 3 TV stations in my area and only 1 report I saw was evidencing our emotion. Our local paper was no better! We have to get our feelings known!
Excellent analysis, Dave! A mere recitation of facts doesn’t tell the story. Context and analysis are not “spin.” They are essential to telling a factual story.
Thanks, David. A story like Saturday’s in your capable hands, or the hands of a Rob Davis or a Ken Fuson would have been so much more complete. And compelling.
I think the lack of experience in the local reporting pool is plainly evident in their milquetoast coverage. Unfortunately, Des Moines has become an entry-level journalism job, especially in TV...it never used to be that way. You had experienced reporters that covered beats and were thoroughly ensconced in what they were covering...or they had the seasoning to become instant experts in any subject. Today's press can't present a cohesive thought unless it's provided on the press release they then mindlessly regurgitate in print or on air.
I think you’re right, Jeff. I always said DSM was not a first job market but things have changed. Like a lot of businesses, TV newsrooms have difficulty filling open positions. Some of that is the industry’s own fault. Low pay, lousy hours, lack of training opportunities, etc.
I think a lot of the “just the facts” coverage of the protests is due to reporters without a lot of experience under their belts yet. As they grow and cover more stories, they will get better at sensing extraordinary moments.
To many reporters, there are consequences to appearing to be anti-Trump: threats, tweets, ridicule, condescension. Whether local or national, the intimidation is real. Playing it straight, even boring, is the balancing act between pleasing the boss and a whole lot of stress.
Right, Cliff. But there’s a way to report that demonstrates the power of the event without becoming a cheerleader. It must be nuanced. Too many reporters don’t have that level of skilll yet, particularly those working a weekend shift.
Yes. In the day when Jim Flansburg and then David Yepsen at the Register were not only two of my favorite, but I thought delivered some of the "emotion." I moved to Des Moines area in 1982 and I think the Register had both papers then. It was sold in 1984, I think, and with the Internet coming. Print news declined. Long story short. I miss the print news.
We watched Russ Van Dyke et al on KCCI. I met Pete Taylor once in a WDM grocery store. He stopped to chat. We loved Connie McBurney.
On the issue of news TV not bringing the emotion to coverage of political rallies, I go with your analysis and critique. This legislative session I saw huge crowds protesting removal of transpeople from the civil rights law. I saw emotion there. In fact the huge number of state police said something.
My own sense is that the tariffs and other Trump snafus will eventually find a redline for Republicans. Seething anger is hard to ignore. This is worse than Watergate. Trump's illegal operation, ie denying due process for Venezuelans migrants. and refusing to bring home the one or several that are known to have been mistakes. That plus tariffs and ten other things.
I'll be surprised if violence isn't part of the snap back. The J6 crowd was angry. I can imagine them being even more angry when it dawns on them that Trump is doing this at their expense for his amusement. And that he was headed for prison had he not won. The target could be the WH.
Thank you, Dave, for this: we are increasingly sinking into serious destruction of our "institutions," "culture," norms and values. Not normal evolutionary change, but evaporating destruction. Including journalism. It is important that you keep opining and reporting. We miss you...and what you represent. Help! Mike Reagen
Thank you Dave!! My 86 yr old husband was so moved that he protested in front of Zach Nunns office and then walked to the Capitol and protested there!! He was sure there were several thousand attending!! And he has never done anything like this in all of his 86 years….and there were undoubtedly many more like him!!
Given that Trump is so obsessed with crowd size, journalists also missed the opportunity to draw his attention to the fact that thousands upon thousands of people all across the nation came out for him! No one ever did that for Biden or Obama! 😂 Oh well, he probably wouldn't get it anyway.
Good point, Linda. I’m sure Trump and his acolytes saw the Saturday protests as nothing more than the usual offerings from “the radical left”. They’re wrong about that, of course.
I heard the NY Times didn't cover it until page 18??? Even tho the NY rally was just a few blocks from their office. Are publishers/media owners/editors etc that afraid of Trump???
I was there. You’re correct again, Dave! There was seething anger, accompanied by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness due, I believe, to Iowa’s single party madness, our legislative imbalance, the irreparable damages being wrought, and a worthless congressional delegation.
Only the ballot box can save us!
My wife and I also were there. I suspect the lack of news coverage was due to not only “bothsiderism”, but also what Timothy Snyder terms “obeying in advance.” THIS is what is killing legacy media. And this is one funeral I don’t look forward to.
Great column! I recognize that it can be challenging to report the mood of a crowd in an objective manner when so many who were not present are quick to criticize, but reporters need to try.
Right. Reporters these days are going to be criticized regardless of what they do or don’t do. So they may as well tell the story as completely as possible.
So true. By trying to “play it down the middle” and seem to look unbiased, the story comes off less true…
After attending the rally "Hands Off" in downtown Des Moines, I anxiously came home to see how this played on the television coverage. Walking with the crowds, one sensed the power of emotion shared, but I'm not certain the journalists were walking with us. Both television and newspaper coverage explained in terms of as a "drone observer".
Probably right. I saw drone footage, which was impressive. And then the gathering up at the statehouse. Not much marching and chanting. Probably a single crew for TV, fearing that if they get hung up in the crowd they might not make it to where the speakers are. But I would have preferred sound bites with real people as they were marching rather than sound from organizers speaking to the crowd over a PA.
Dave,
You are right! I'm an 87 year old lady, who made her own sign and am very disappointed in the pure vanilla coverage our rally got! There are 3 TV stations in my area and only 1 report I saw was evidencing our emotion. Our local paper was no better! We have to get our feelings known!
Pat, may I ask which station you feel for it right?
Thanks, Dave. This lesson is a powerful one for reporters everywhere.
And you could teach it!
Excellent analysis, Dave! A mere recitation of facts doesn’t tell the story. Context and analysis are not “spin.” They are essential to telling a factual story.
Right on!
Well said, Dave.
A difficult subject to comment on, but well said.
Thanks, David. A story like Saturday’s in your capable hands, or the hands of a Rob Davis or a Ken Fuson would have been so much more complete. And compelling.
I think the lack of experience in the local reporting pool is plainly evident in their milquetoast coverage. Unfortunately, Des Moines has become an entry-level journalism job, especially in TV...it never used to be that way. You had experienced reporters that covered beats and were thoroughly ensconced in what they were covering...or they had the seasoning to become instant experts in any subject. Today's press can't present a cohesive thought unless it's provided on the press release they then mindlessly regurgitate in print or on air.
I think you’re right, Jeff. I always said DSM was not a first job market but things have changed. Like a lot of businesses, TV newsrooms have difficulty filling open positions. Some of that is the industry’s own fault. Low pay, lousy hours, lack of training opportunities, etc.
I think a lot of the “just the facts” coverage of the protests is due to reporters without a lot of experience under their belts yet. As they grow and cover more stories, they will get better at sensing extraordinary moments.
To many reporters, there are consequences to appearing to be anti-Trump: threats, tweets, ridicule, condescension. Whether local or national, the intimidation is real. Playing it straight, even boring, is the balancing act between pleasing the boss and a whole lot of stress.
Obeying in advance is what tyrants demand.
Right, Cliff. But there’s a way to report that demonstrates the power of the event without becoming a cheerleader. It must be nuanced. Too many reporters don’t have that level of skilll yet, particularly those working a weekend shift.
Yes. In the day when Jim Flansburg and then David Yepsen at the Register were not only two of my favorite, but I thought delivered some of the "emotion." I moved to Des Moines area in 1982 and I think the Register had both papers then. It was sold in 1984, I think, and with the Internet coming. Print news declined. Long story short. I miss the print news.
We watched Russ Van Dyke et al on KCCI. I met Pete Taylor once in a WDM grocery store. He stopped to chat. We loved Connie McBurney.
On the issue of news TV not bringing the emotion to coverage of political rallies, I go with your analysis and critique. This legislative session I saw huge crowds protesting removal of transpeople from the civil rights law. I saw emotion there. In fact the huge number of state police said something.
My own sense is that the tariffs and other Trump snafus will eventually find a redline for Republicans. Seething anger is hard to ignore. This is worse than Watergate. Trump's illegal operation, ie denying due process for Venezuelans migrants. and refusing to bring home the one or several that are known to have been mistakes. That plus tariffs and ten other things.
I'll be surprised if violence isn't part of the snap back. The J6 crowd was angry. I can imagine them being even more angry when it dawns on them that Trump is doing this at their expense for his amusement. And that he was headed for prison had he not won. The target could be the WH.
Thanks for weighing in.
Thanks for your comments. So far as I know, Connie is still very much alive!
I googled. Came up with wrong Connie. I deleted that errant comment. My bad. Good lesson.
Thank you, Dave, for this: we are increasingly sinking into serious destruction of our "institutions," "culture," norms and values. Not normal evolutionary change, but evaporating destruction. Including journalism. It is important that you keep opining and reporting. We miss you...and what you represent. Help! Mike Reagen
Thank you, Mike. It’s the next generation’s turn! I hope to provide a little food for thought for them, as well as all of us who have retired.
Thank you Dave!! My 86 yr old husband was so moved that he protested in front of Zach Nunns office and then walked to the Capitol and protested there!! He was sure there were several thousand attending!! And he has never done anything like this in all of his 86 years….and there were undoubtedly many more like him!!
Thanks, Dave!
Given that Trump is so obsessed with crowd size, journalists also missed the opportunity to draw his attention to the fact that thousands upon thousands of people all across the nation came out for him! No one ever did that for Biden or Obama! 😂 Oh well, he probably wouldn't get it anyway.
Good point, Linda. I’m sure Trump and his acolytes saw the Saturday protests as nothing more than the usual offerings from “the radical left”. They’re wrong about that, of course.
I heard the NY Times didn't cover it until page 18??? Even tho the NY rally was just a few blocks from their office. Are publishers/media owners/editors etc that afraid of Trump???
I read that, too. I think there was a photo at the bottom of page 1, teasing coverage inside.