I’d like to offer my perspective on the story about Gabby’s mom receiving bankruptcy protection a few months before her family stood (and stands) to cash in on millions of dollars in endorsement deals from the Olympics. People mistakenly believe WAVY generated this story. We did not. It was reported by the Associated Press; and because it came across the AP wire, newspapers and television stations in Virginia and across the country ran it. Ours was one of them.

I know there are many people who want nothing to tarnish an otherwise feel-good story. But the complete story is not entirely feel-good; if we don’t tell you this fact when we know it to be the truth we would not be responsibly doing our job. I suspect that other news outlets ran the AP story for the same reason. We stand behind our decision to run it. We would have no justification for keeping it from you, just as we didn’t hide any one of the numerous positive stories on Gabby’s accomplishments leading up to and during the Olympics. We celebrated her wins (in one story, we wrote: “Gabby…touched the hearts of millions with her winning routines and golden smiles”). We told those stories. Now a story comes along that is not positive, yet gives a more complete picture and some viewers ask us to apologize for reporting it?

Consider this: if a news outlet knew something about a story and was withholding it from you, wouldn’t you wonder why? And wouldn’t you wonder what else it was withholding from you? The media is often accused of slanting the news, leaving out things,  or manipulating the viewer to think or feel a certain way. Here, the exact opposite happened. And because we gave you as complete a story as we know it, you get to decide how much weight, if any, to give to the story. Would you feel differently about the story if you were one of the creditors who was owed money? As I’ve read some of these Facebook comments, I wonder how people would have reacted had they been given only the positive aspects of the story, only later to learn that the whole truth includes some negatives. Would they feel duped? I can assure you we will always try to tell you the truth, as completely as we can, even if it’s unpopular, even if it doesn’t jive with the feel-good image some viewers insist we make the story out to be.

I am not trying to sway anyone’s opinion, nor change anyone’s mind. Just giving my perspective.

Jim Gilchriest

News Director

WAVY/WVBT

“But it’s all right now, I’ve learned my lesson well.  You see, you can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself. ”

 These words from 1950′s rocker Rick Nelson crept into my head over the past weekend.  This line represents more than a stanza of pop culture wisdom.  It comes from Nelson’s 1972 hit , “Garden Party,” where he tells the story of getting booed off the stage at a concert.  Nelson, so the story goes,  was playing Madison Square Garden, and the crowd didn’t want to hear his latest work, preferring those tried-and-true selections heard in malt shops and burger joints from a different decade.  I didn’t need to play this old classic  to be haunted by its soft country rhythm tapping my brain.   Maybe it was a self-defense mechanism responding to a cyber-bout on Facebook.

I’m a guy who once thought  ”social media”  would be reading Dear Abby in the morning newspaper.  But Facebook has made that term part of our everyday vernacular.  I, along with my colleagues, have a WAVY page,where I share thoughts, photographs, and daily musings designed to give people a glimpse of something beyond what they see when I come into their homes.   But this past weekend, I caught some of the vitriol that exists on the internet.  I posted a few innocent factoids on our station page, and that apparently invited personal attacks.  One man questioned my integrity and stopped short of calling me a liar.   Reacting to some viewer’s compliments on some of my amateur photography, another person launched into several insults regarding my character and ability as a news anchor and reporter.

Details here are not necessary.  It does not matter what was said or who said them.  The lesson I take away from this episode is that words can hurt.    Oh, I’ve been insulted many times–in person.  But there’s something about seeing things in print, for posterity, from people who don’t know you.  This is not about pointing our journalistic mistakes,   or disagreement on issues, those are always encouraged as part of the two-way communication that makes us better reporters.   But there’s no room for childish assaults on a person’s character and good name.   

Lessons for me?   First,  get a thick skin as a public figure in this age of social media.   Cruise the blogosphere for two minutes,  and you’ll read some of the most vile personal attacks from insecure people with small minds.  Only now, do I understand how the targets of those diatribes really must feel when they or their loved ones read them.   Second,  I will communicate with people on line, the way I would want to be treated.   Most of all, I learned the number of negative posts on my Facebook pages are minuscule, compared to the many thoughtful messages I read everyday.  Those include story ideas,  justifiable criticisms on how we can do a better job, noble attempts at satirical wit, and general kindness. 

I open myself up, when I show shots of my sunsets,  and dog Sophie;  when I share highs and lows of Pittsburgh sports teams, and some of my nostalgic writings about family.  Some of you like these nuggets, others could leave them be.   If only if it were that civilized for all of us.   Remember when you mom or dad said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say…” you know the rest.   But as the baseline of the old  song slowly fades, here come those time-tested words that bring a smile, and lesson about 21st century social media,    

“You see, you can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself. “

It’s the 7th day of December. Christmas is two weeks away and I’ve received three Christmas cards. My first one arrived the day before Thanksgiving.

Nicole's first Christmas card of the season from her brother and sister-in-law

Are you sending cards this year? In years past, I’ve mailed out Christmas and Hanukkah cards by the first week of December. This year, I’m on the fence. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll drop something in the mail to my elderly loved ones and my brother overseas, but in this social networking age- is it really necessary? Postage rates continue to soar and email is cheaper than paper mail, and could save the environment- just not always as personal.  Even the WAVY/Fox 43 team has an e-card this year.  I posted the question on my Facebook page. Here are some of the responses:

Peggy said,  “I love sending out Christmas cards to family and friends. Sometimes it takes just as much time to give a card as it does to buy a gift. I want the card to be just as special as the person recieving the card. Sometimes it’s fun just to send a silly card to someone needs a little picker up at the holiday.”

Judi is on the ball. She wrote “I mailed all 83 of mine last week from Texas while visiting there! I had the granddaughters help me with the labels! Expensive, yes!! But so worth it! Makes my friends and family happy!

Valerie S. posted,  “This is my son’s first Christmas, so, yes, I am sending cards and will include a picture of him.

Wanda said, “I enjoy sending them and receiving them”.

Valerie C. posted “I quit sending them to all but a few elderly relatives. Aside from the cost of cards & postage, sending cards is not very environmentally friendly.”

Shirley said “Yes, I am sending our Christmas cards. I’ll put on some Christmas music, grab a glass of wine and have a wonderful time. “

I understand people with kids want to send the picture cards so we can see how they’ve grown. Even adults are getting into picture cards with announcements about weddings, advanced degrees, new cars and other personal news.  I do like to receive those- especially with cute kids!

Nicole's niece, nephew & sister in law with Santa (a few years ago)

As for saving money and recycling, I have saved Christmas cards over the years and used them as decorations and as labels for packages. Like ornaments, they remind you of the person who gave them to you as time goes on. I usually buy cards at the end of the holiday season when they’re at least half off so that cuts down on the cost, but I have yet to find the box that I packed them in. I do think if I decide to send them, I’m going to shorten the list- remove the folks I  never hear back from either via mail, email, social network or phone.  It is amazing how thoughtful a phone call or a note in the mail seems nowadays when everyone is just texting and emailing. What do you think? Leave your comments below or on my Facebook page.

Happy Holidays!!

As the inaugural parade wraps up, I’ve decided to write down a couple of thoughts about this historic day.   Seems everyone stopped what they were doing at one point today to watch history in the making.   I’ve heard so many different descriptions from people who were there in D.C. to people who were watching the day’s events on their t.v.’s and their computers.   Just looking at the National Mall, it appears to be one giant jigzaw puzzle made up of people of all different ages, colors and sizes… but all coming together for a common goal of changing America.

I was taking part in the blogging and tweeting on Facebook and Twitter and now here on www.wavy.com.   It was nice to see the t.v. networks and local stations show so many different sides of this story.  It was great to see civil rights heroes and former political leaders arrive in the V.I.P. section.   It was rude to hear how some people greeted President Bush as he walked out into the inaugural celebration.  You’d think if people went through all of the trouble to make the trip to Washington and beat the crowds, they would behave a little bit better. It’s tough to cover politics as a journalist and not have someone accuse you of being liberal or unbalanced and biased.   I purposely try to  present the issues and the facts.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I wish my grandparents, my godfather, and other relatives who have passed on could have witnessed this day in history.  Mainly because of the stories they told me about the hardship they faced- just because the color of their skin.  I’m sure they hoped for, but weren’t certain we’d ever have a President with African ancestry this soon.   In honor of my family members  who have gone before me- both black and non-black,  I am hopeful people will continue to move forward and work hand in hand with the same enthusiasm they’ve had over the past year.  No matter what your race, gender, or political affiliation is- this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on our past, our present and our future.  Take advantage of it!