MMJ Safety: 3 Things To Avoid Out In The Field

Earlier this summer I decided to make the switch from News Director to Talent Agent/Coach. I led newsrooms at three different stations, for three different companies, over the last decade. In all three locations, MMJ’s were an important part of the equation. It wasn’t until I switched sides, and started talking to reporters from across the country, that I saw how vastly different MMJ’s are used at different stations, even within the same company. 

Over the last couple of months I have heard some scary stories about what MMJ’s are being asked to do. I’m sure some are being embellished a little, for dramatic affect, but it is clear that things need to change. I know that budgets are tight and every person in the newsroom has to be trained to do multiple jobs. That being said, stations need to do everything possible to keep their team as safe as possible. I’m not trying to belittle anyone or wag my finger at the tv news industry. Every station has it’s own staffing needs and issues.  I know that I could have been more thoughtful at times, about what I was asking members of my team to do. But there are some lines that should not be crossed, in my opinion.

Here are three common tasks that I don’t think should be asked of a solo journalist. 

1.  Perform a live shot by yourself, in an open setting:  This is asking for problems on so many levels. Your reporter has to set up the equipment, get in front of the camera for a mic check and basically become a sitting duck, until the live shot is over.  When you are alone, nobody is watching your back for potential troublemakers. The way people treat members of the media is drastically different than just a few years ago. Talk to a reporter or photographer about what they deal with on a daily basis.  People have become physically and verbally aggressive towards the media. Putting a person out in the public, alone and vulnerable, is dangerous. In all transparency, I have asked my sports anchors and reporters to do solo shots, but always from a controlled environment, away from fans and crowds. Usually from the sidelines, before/after a game, or from the team facility. 

2.  Door knock:  it’s something that every reporter does occasionally. A news event has happened in a community and the reporter is told to go find reactions. Sometimes this may involve knocking on doors and asking people if they saw anything, or knew the person involved. This is not a fun task for a reporter and photographer, because you never know what is on the other side of the door. Now imagine doing that by yourself, with nobody to help if the person who answers is angry or dangerous.

3.  Work a crime scene:  This can be a tougher one to navigate. Sometimes you don’t know what is going on until the photographer or MMJ gets to the scene. Crime scenes can be very emotional, and people aren’t always thinking clearly. I asked our crews to hang back for a bit and shoot from a safe location until they got a feel for the situation.  Usually this meant setting up near a police officer while trying to get information. Once that is accomplished, a photographer should be paired with the MMJ, to help them work the scene. It isn’t safe for the MMJ to try to do this alone. 

No story is worth putting any member of the news team in danger. There are always other ways to go about getting the story done. If you are being asked to do these things at your current station, you need to share your concerns with a manager. We live in a different world these days and news stations have a responsibility to understand that and act accordingly.

Qualified MMJs are needed all over the country, in all market sizes. If you are an MMJ and want to find the RIGHT job for you and not just A job, connect with me. I’d love to help find that perfect fit at stations that value YOU! www.skmediaconnections.com www.mortmeisner.com