Hello,

I am a researcher for one of the network's evening news programs. I used to be in computer programming and wrote my college thesis on end of millennium culture. Due to these qualifications, I have been researching the Y2K problem for over almost 2 years now for our news broadcast. I often pitch stories to my superiors, and if they ever get approved, give the correspondent the pertinent research. I give them the best experts (like Yourdon, Yardeni and others), a list of detailed investigative questions to ask government agencies and big businesses, and summariaries of GAO/Congressional/and Independent remediation reports. I present all of this research to the correspondent and producer in plain english - so their non-computer backgrounds won't hinder the story. I do everything I can to make sure we do a responsible story on y2k.

However, I have been greatly dismayed by the stories we actually air. I don't know if it's just the nature of the television new business- We do most stories on the day of air and the financial "bottom line" is very important - Time is money and correspondents here are now trained to do every story in the fastest, cheapest way possible - Or if it's the fact that we are owned by a major corperation that keeps us from doing good y2k stories. But all the blame can't be put on the media's shoulders.

I recently convinced my boss to send me on a research trip to Washington D.C. One of my sources there helped me set up several informal interviews at the Senate/House/White House/Pentagon/GAO and other places.

I was very excited to finally be able to do the legwork myself - and maybe get some real answers. I didn't find as much as I hoped. I am getting very frustrated. Even when asking the right questions - I still got me the same old responses. Even when I brought up a fairly basic point - why is the only y2k issue the government has spent great time and effort on is Y2K liability when, according to you guys, every thing is going to be OK???- all I got were smirks and flippant answers.

I also can't help but feel that the media is being set-up by the government to be the fall-guy when y2k rolls around. The United Kingdom and Canada have nationwide, government sponsored ad/info campaigns to prepare their populations for disruptions. The US is doing practically nothing to inform the public. I have been to all those conferences on Media reponsibility in reporting the y2k story. Koskinen talks at us, but rarely answers questions in any meaningful way.

I am also getting frustrated by my superiors response to Y2K story pitches. I believe that their cold response probably has something to do with that big corperation that owns us. I'm sure they were part of the lobbying effort behind the liability bill. I'm not making any accusations here - I don't really know what goes on those front office meetings. All I know is that I've been telling them what everything on Y2K for over a year now, and no one cares to listen.

I'm going to keep trying though. In DC, I did get a detailed pentagon remediation report and some new info on the FAA. I also made some good contacts for the coming months. I am working on the info now and getting ready to pitch a new series of stories.

Anyway - I wanted to open-up this thread to talk to you first hand. I'm sorry I couldn't leave my real e-mail, but the company I work for has very strict internet rules. I think I'm breaking a few now. Please post to this if you have any info or concerns on Y2K and television media coverage. I'd also like to make a plea to programmers who are working on the problem for information. You know more than anyone what's going on. The more hard evidence I produce to my superiors, the harder it will be for them to dismiss Y2K as a news story.

Thanks.

-- (researcher@network.news), August 17, 1999

Answers

Thanks, researcher: what's new with the FAA?

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), August 17, 1999.

Researcher,

Is your network owned by Westinghouse, General Electric, or Disney? Is there really any other question that needs to be asked here?

-- pshannon (pshannon@sangersreview.com), August 17, 1999.

Thanks for your input, researcher.

Does your govt have a "Freedom of Information" act? Some of the reporters in Ottawa have been going to Canada's to get "inside" scoops about y2k.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), August 17, 1999.

Researcher,

Thanks for trying! I do KNOW there ARE newsmedia people who take Y2K investigative journalism seriously, and your corporate structure doesn't allow more that "news sound bytes."

Have you considered freelancing? Is that allowed? There are some good connects here that can help.

Someone just sent me a story that need some real research and later today I'll post a request for help and add a link here so you have an opportunity to do your own homework.

Personally, I've been so discouraged by most (not all) of the newsmedia's response to Y2K. There are so many "hidden" stories our goverment (and vested interests) want to keep relegated to the shadow world.

Sad.

I realized recently... They won't change. Why? Because they are interested in protecting "the system" rather than people's lives.

Very sad.

Thanks for your dedication and please... keep trying to "get the word out."

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 17, 1999.

Researcher,

Thank you for your excellent work.

You wrote, Koskinen talks at us, but rarely answers questions in any meaningful way.

Exactly. The man is a master, isn't he?

Can I suggest that you use a Hotmail or other e-mail address that isn't directly connected to your work and that you can access from anywhere? Perhaps you might get a lot of inside information from those who wish to help you in your quest for tangible, credible information.

As for the media being set up as a scapegoat, I think you're right on. With the recent pressure by the American Bankers Association which has forced advertisers to pull ads it isn't difficult to see that communication is being manipulated. I find this very, very disturbing. It's nice to know that someone is trying to get deeper into the real issues. Thanks again.

Good luck.

Mike

=============================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), August 17, 1999.

Researcher, check with WorldNetDaily, they are a rapidly growing Internet news service looking for the TRUTH. Sounds like you'd fit right in.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@tottacc.com), August 17, 1999.

Researcher,

You have my sympathies. It sounds like you and FM (one of the regular posters) would have a lot to talk about. I'm sure she will be along presently when she sees your thread.

Meanwhile, the best advice I can give you is to work with the reports from the senate and the CIA. What if you took it from the angle that imports won't be available? Coffee, for example, is likely to become very scarce. I know it seems like a sort of frivolous concern in the face of mass power outages and cascading bank defaults but it is something most people can grasp intellectually (What! No latte'????) Grasping the simple fact that there will be NO coffee, propane, chocolate, cheap goods from China etc... might wake a few thousnad people up.

In the face of so much ignorance and apathy it is important to remember that even if you just wake one person up you will have made a big difference to an unknown number of people (that persons family, co-workers, neighbors etc...)

Good luck and be sure to check out the archives here. I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future.

-- R (riversoma@aol.com), August 17, 1999.

Just sent an e-mail off to FM, so she can respond.

Researcher, she'd make a good contact for you. (In the same business, and has some "interesting" press credentials).

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 17, 1999.

Perhaps you're genuine, perhaps not. I'd think that a researcher would be able to spell "corporation", and would correctly punctuate a possessive form. This smells odd.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), August 17, 1999.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I just wanted you to know that there are some journalists who are asking questions about Y2K. I am also happy to find others out there who "believe" in the bug. As for "home@puget.sound"'s response. I apologize for not proofreading carefully - but I thought it was bad netiquette to call people on minor grammar errors. Anyway, I assure you, I am real. I will probably post from my home email address soon.

-- (researcher@network.news), August 17, 1999.

Researcher: Based on *your* background and research, what are *your* plans for the rollover? Just curious.

-- DaveW (dwood@southwind.net), August 17, 1999.

Researcher,

I'm having a bad spelling/typo day too... happens to all of us. (Gotta remember to use that spell checker!)

Good question DaveW... I'd be interested in Researcher's response too.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 17, 1999.

I think I'll unfortunately be at work on New Year's Eve. My boss is not granting days off for December right now. I don't mind working, but all my family and friends will be out of the state. I'd prefer to NOT be alone in the city that night. But, I'll have enough extra food, water, and cash at home for my personal needs.

-- (researcher@network.news), August 17, 1999.

Sorry if my remark was misunderstood. I've made plenty of typo errors myself, along with a few remarks that were correctly spelled but just plain stupid.

I pointed out the spelling not to be picky, but because if made me question your authenticity.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), August 17, 1999.

Researcher, your story just confirms what I had suspected after reading several Y2K related stories in the mainstream press. They read as if the reporter was seriously describing what could go wrong, but the first couple of paragraphs appeared to be written by another person, who thought everything would be A-OK. I had assumed the editors re-wrote the summaries to make them sound like "don't panic -- everything is fine" but then forgot to remove some of the negative details hidden further down in the articles.

Thanks for your hard work and don't give up!

BTW, if you are stuck working at New Year's Evil, you might just want to consider keeping a small "bug-out" bag with you, in case TSHTF and you can't get back home right away.

-- Margaret (janssm@aol.com), August 17, 1999.

Researcher, we've had several 'imposters' post to this forum over the last several months. Many of these posts elicited great response. One was revealed (by the author) to be a deliberate hoax. The hoax was perpetrated to make a 'point'. (And yes, I believe he *did* make a point. He pointed out for all of us to see what a fraud he truly *is*). Most of these 'imposters' used anonymous or fake email addresses.

The response 'calling' you on your spelling and grammar, I believe, is only due to a heightened awareness of 'baiting' the forum regulars.

We have several well credentialed individuals in the same industry who post here, and I hope you can make contact with them.

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), August 17, 1999.

Researcher,

Was thinking... one story idea you may want to consider pitching to your producers (for a Nov.-Dec air time) is...

What happens if/when the President of the United States declares a National State of Emergency.

Emphasis might highlight some key major metropolitan areas like: New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, etc. And contrast it with rural area impacts.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 17, 1999.

You wanna do something to get noticed?

Get the story about the Scripted Sermon from the ABA out to the American Public.

THAT would be something...

-- Super (Slfsl@yahoo.com), August 17, 1999.

Hello - this is "researcher" I am home, relatively safe on my own computer. The e-mail address above is real if you want to use it:) Sorry about being so cryptic before - was just worried about using my unsecure work computer to explain my issues on Y2K reporting. You can never be to carefu

-- (tao8@earthlink.com), August 17, 1999.

It's a good idea Researcher.

Let us know if you need any help with story ideas or additional back- ground research. Trolls aside, there is a great Y2K "net search" team of posters available here.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 17, 1999.

Re speling beeing an inducation of awthentisity: I are a perfreshunal riter, publushed an dall. A boook ("Special Edition Using VBScript"), magazeen columm, ect.

I relly on my edditerz to repare my tipoes, and dont' try to bee perfrect wehn tiping on the inertnet.

Sew dont' go makeing two much off tipoes in cashule coresponeanse.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), August 18, 1999.

Researcher,

Can appreciate your experiences and think they are like many who try to feed information 'up stream' to management. Your organization has alot of filtering systems which control the broadcasts. There are probably a series of editors and even a technician or two who are designated 'controllers' who take their orders from a different source than you or I do. It is obvious that the media is owned by a very small group of people. These people are in absolute control of content via their heirarchy. If they say "Make sure that any Y2K stories are 'reassuring'" then the editors will indeed make it so.

In one sense you are (as a researcher) part of an intellegence network which provides information to the top people. They use this information to inform their peer group and what they chose to broadcast has nothing to do with the information which you provide. It's not about issues, its about control.

It would be educational to watch how your organization works in order to understand the control issues.

-- ..- (dit@dot.dash), August 18, 1999.

LOL, Ron! Thanks for the email Diane and. . .

Hello researcher.

First off, a housekeeping detail: Should we wish to communicate with you privately, is

tao8@earthlink.com

your correct email address?

(FYI, my email address is and always has been real.)

Have you, during your research efforts, read the Senate Y2k hearing statement submitted by Jim Adams? If not, I recommend it. It can be accessed at:

http://www.senate.gov/~y2k/hearings/990525/jadams.htm

Just an aside, that hearing featured a remarkable display of finger-pointing. As I recall, it went like this:

Community preparedness advocates blamed the media.

The media blamed the Clinton administration.

It was quite something to watch.

I'm sure you and I could have some very interesting discussions regarding Y2k broadcast news philosophy, but for now, I'll just add a couple of potential story ideas to your "pitch list."

As you know, many organizations--including the American Red Cross are encouraging Y2k preparedness. At the time the Red Cross issued its guidelines in mid-December 1998, Elizabeth Dole headed up the organization. She resigned a few days later. Because of her bid for the presidency, I'll bet she'd LOVE to be interviewed on this subject.

Also, the National Retail Federation is very concerned that people who decide to prepare, will wait until the last minute to do so.

One more idea: the Mormon response to the Salt Lake City tornado, a low probability, high impact event. Who'd have thunk it could happen there? Nobody. But it did, and they were ready. As Paloma O'Riley is fond of saying "preparedness is prudent anyway."

I'm rushing as I write this, with no time to flesh out the above thoughts. Sorry. Email me if you'd like to discuss further.

Welcome to the forum!

:)

P.S. Diane, I'll get back to you later regarding that other thing. 'Gotta run!

P.S.S., Would someone please hotlink the Adams testimony for me? Thanks in advance! (No time right now!)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

Sorry for the typos! Too busy!

:(

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

Yes, if you want to communicate with me privately - my e-mail is tao8@earthlink.com. I only check it at night though.

I also have some news on the media front - my boss just asked me to work up some y2k stories for him. He rarely asks me, I usually go to him first.

We'll see how it turns out. I have already been checking out the ABA sermon thing. The key is to find a priest that ACTUALLY gave the sermon to his church. Then we can interview him and the church goers for a more in depth story. Let me know if you all have any leads on that - I am checking around too.

Thanks

-- Researcher (tao8@earthlink.com), August 18, 1999.

Me again,

Quick question, what do you guys think about the GPS Rollover and Sept. 9th?

-- Researcher (tao8@earthlink.com), August 18, 1999.

Hotlink FM...

TESTIMONY OF JAMES ADAMS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
INFRASTRUCTURE DEFENSE, INC.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE
YEAR 2000 TECHNOLOGY PROBLEM
UNITED STATES SENATE
MAY 25, 1999
The Internet and New Relationships:
A Model for Public Awareness and Involvement in Facing Y2K

http:/ /www.senate.gov/~y2k/hearings/990525/jadams.htm

The Utah Tornado story...

OT?: Mormon Preparedness Helped City Respond Quickly To Rare Twister

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001Ee2

Id also second a story on Elizabeth Dole, the Red Cross and Y2K... since she came in #3 in the Iowa thingy.

Researcher,

If you want help in actaually finding someone who gave the sermon, start a new thread with that as your question. Youre likely to get a response.

Thread...

The ABA has gone too far...A Y2K Sermon Template

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001Ftq

As to the GPS rollover, there are a lot of threads going on that topic right now.

U.S. Coast Guard warns on upcoming GPS changes

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001GJU

GPS and Power Phasing? + My Plans for GPS Eve

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001FzZ

What if the GPS Rollover Brings Down Tokyo? Look-See!

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001Fzh

What If the GPS Rollover Brings Down the Grid???

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001Ftk

GPS Changes Coming Earlier Than Some Expected

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001G1t

As to Sept. 9th... well... ask... on a new thread.

Hope that helps.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 18, 1999.

Researcher,

From time to time members of the clergy post here, so you might consider initiating a "Paging members of the Clergy" thread.

Pastor Chris also has his own forum (here on greenspun) that could prove resourceful to you with regard to this. Likewise Michael Hyatt's forum. (michaelhyatt.com)

In the meantime, a few months ago the pastor of a church in my area reportedly told members of his congregation that stocking up on canned goods, etc., would be the same thing as posting a sign on their lawns advertising "free food."

I heard this from a member of the congregation who spoke with him. I have every reason to believe the quote is accurate, but I'll email you the church info so that you may check it out for yourself.

The GPS Rollover and Sept. 9th? Boy are you asking for it!

You WILL get answers!

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

Sheesh, Diane!

Links are YOU!

(You tryin' to put poor Researcher out of a job?)

:)

By the way, Researcher, how long have you been lurking on this forum?

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

Come on FM!

Ya know I gotta soft spot for the press who REALLY are trying to figure out Y2K and how to position the story in a way that "helps" people.

Always thought the 3 major network news segments could have a BIG impact... if it became important to them. If one of the three would lead the way, well, so much the better.

;-D

I'm cheering for you, Researcher!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 18, 1999.

Diane & Researcher: I agree with you that the press and the federal and state goverment has done less than a sterling job in educating the citizens. However, I believe IMHO that there is a significant number of people that refuse to believe what little Y2K news is out there because they : 1. Associate it with "right wing extremists" and 2. Denial. I have the opportunity to talk with engineers, doctors,pilots and farmers/ranchers on a daily basis. Whenever an approriate moment presents itself I broach the subject of Y2K and its inherent problems. Maybe one out of ten will discuss it but the other nine simply refuse. I say this to point out not to get discouraged when approaching the problem. I don't get discouraged because I have five grandchildren and two aged parents to consider. And I personally don't give a darn if the Y2K event never takes place and they giggle at that "ole eccentric goat"!

-- Neil G.Lewis (pnglewis1@yahoo.com), August 18, 1999.

Confession, Researcher?

C'mon. . .tell us how long you've been lurking.

(We know you have nothing else to do but hang out on this board, after all.)

And, by the way, yes Ms. Squire is a nice person. 'Heck of a researcher, too.

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

Researcher, 9/9/99 is NOT programmed that way. If you were programming, you would use 090999 OR 990909. Should not cause many problems.

-- (that@is.all), August 18, 1999.

I actually posted the first day I found you guys. I've been a regular of Philip Greenspun's site - photo.net for years. Greenspun.com is on the same server. I was investigating the services he offers for web publishers (I have some side projects besides news:) and stumbled upon the LUSENET bulletin boards. I was delighted to find you all and am impressed by the wealth of information presented h

-- Researcher (tao8@earthlink.com), August 18, 1999.

Researcher,

You think you're impressed now?

Just wait.

What you have discovered is an amazing cross-section of well-educated people (many of them programmers) who have been following this issue for months.

This is THE "Y2k watering hole."

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

Oh, and a P.S. to the above:

Just because many people who post to this forum are well-educated, doesn't mean it doesn't have its share of silly or off-topic posts.

In time, you will learn which posts are worth the effort to read.

As for me, I mostly lurk lately. When something of significance comes along--schedule permitting--I post.

Cheers.

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

Guess what, my boss doesn't think the GPS rollover is a story.

-- Researcher (tao8@earthlink.com), August 19, 1999.

Maybe Patrick Shannon or Scott Johnson are hiring... :-)

R.

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), August 19, 1999.