Understanding Violent Weather Dana Rosengard, Ph.D.National Press Foundation Gaylord / OU

Dana Rosengard, Ph.D.

McMahon Centennial Professor

Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication

University of Oklahoma

Understanding Violent Weather Dana Rosengard, Ph.D.National Press Foundation Gaylord / OU

Michelle MuscatelloWPRI-TV/Providence

- news directors now make weather ever-more present in newscasts

- weather is now expanding beyond (just) newscasts

- now we “dissect” storms with technology

Understanding Violent Weather Dana Rosengard, Ph.D.National Press Foundation Gaylord / OU

WPTZ-TV, Plattsburgh, NY / Burlington, VT

- we lead with weather whenever we can

- meteorologists toss to reports (ala anchors)

- all on staff have meteorology degrees and AMS seals

- weather updates during storms

- stations has invested in computers

- meteorologists attend news meetings

Understanding Violent Weather Dana Rosengard, Ph.D.National Press Foundation Gaylord / OU

Cindy FitzgibbonFOX 25 – TV / Boston

- most days weather is not news

- meteorologists have to tell the weather story every day

- weather is like an accordion

- meteorologists need to communicate with newsroom personnel

- meteorologists need to make viewers comfortable

- Weather is the number one reason people watch the news.

Understanding Violent Weather Dana Rosengard, Ph.D.National Press Foundation Gaylord / OU

-proximity

- prominence

- conflict

-consequence

-timeliness

- audio / visual potential

- human interest

Understanding Violent Weather Dana Rosengard, Ph.D.National Press Foundation Gaylord / OU

Because we can’t control it !!!

Arlene

Bret

Cindy

Dennis

Emily Franklin

Gert

Harvey

Irene

Jose

KatrinaLee

MariaNate

Ophelia

PhilippeRita

Stan

Tammy

Vince

Wilma