FOR THE RECORD
Last night a story aired on WOIO 19 News during their 6pm newscast about the trench rescue in Eaton Township. I learned around 3:30pm that WOIO was working on the story and that they were going to be using photos that I had taken at the rescue. When I discovered that the story they were working on was that they believed a fight between the Metro LifeFlight crew and the Firefighters at the scene took place. I contacted WOIO immediately and spoke both with the managing editor and the reporter preparing the story. I was told that the photo was sent to them through an email therefore they could not determine the ownership of the photo so they were going to run with it. I advised them that all they had to do was view my website to confirm ownership. I advised both the managing editor and the reporter that I was NOT granting permission for them to use any of my photos for their story. Both dismissed me and they ran the story and the photos anyway.
A couple of points:
1. Metro LifeFlight advised WOIO that there was not a fight at the scene.
2. Officials in Lorain County advised WOIO that there was no fight between the Metro LifeFlight crew and fire officials.
3. I advised both the managing editor and reporter that I was right there shooting pictures and did not see a fight between the LifeFlight crew and fire officials.
WOIO chose to use time in their 6pm newscast to tell a story about the trench rescue. The story was not how a hundred plus men and women came together one morning and worked together to save one mans life, a man who has a wife and small children. Egos were set aside that morning, territories were not a topic, all the professionals worked in concert and brought Buddy Burton out of that hole alive. That is what the airtime should have been used for, not for an accusation that was received through an email by a person would not even go on camera for the piece.
A couple of points:
1. Metro LifeFlight advised WOIO that there was not a fight at the scene.
2. Officials in Lorain County advised WOIO that there was no fight between the Metro LifeFlight crew and fire officials.
3. I advised both the managing editor and reporter that I was right there shooting pictures and did not see a fight between the LifeFlight crew and fire officials.
WOIO chose to use time in their 6pm newscast to tell a story about the trench rescue. The story was not how a hundred plus men and women came together one morning and worked together to save one mans life, a man who has a wife and small children. Egos were set aside that morning, territories were not a topic, all the professionals worked in concert and brought Buddy Burton out of that hole alive. That is what the airtime should have been used for, not for an accusation that was received through an email by a person would not even go on camera for the piece.
posted by TMC NEWS at 1:46 AM
18 Comments:
Lets be honest though....WOIO is nothing more than an "Inside Edition" type news source. It is the lowest common denominator of Cleveland news. The only reason I continue to occasionally watch that rag is because they simply have some of the hottest female "newscasters" in our area!!!
How can a station take someone elses pictures and use them? To say they don't know who had ownership is crazy. They knew that they didn't own the pictures right? BOYCOTT 19 & 43
woio is clevelands equivelent of that news channel you watch in a hotel when you're out of town, and you can't believe what passes for news and reporters.
the story was a saved life not a still picture left up to interpretation.
As a former professional photographer, I am appalled by WOIO's use of uncredited, non-released photos. As troublesome as it might be, you will be better served by watermarking any photos available online with a copywrite (either in visible text or digitally embedded). Next time you'll be able to sue them.
I have not watched 19 news since they turned to the trashy news style. I will continue the boycott.
I think we should boycott and also contact the people who advertise on their chan.
leave it to 19 news to do that. BOYCOTT
leave it to 19 news to do that. BOYCOTT
I will join in the boycott of 19 and 43 news and I will encourage my friends to as well. I use to watch them now and then to laugh at them because the weather guy is a joke and that little man who screams a lot, wait they all yell, anyway I will not watch them anymore. I am in on the boycott
I will join the boycott. But wait what channel is 19 or 43 on? Oh well I guess I was already boycotting and didnt even know it. Or I'll do one better; why don't I go over there and see if they can find "ownership" of the foot I just shoved up their behind. Haha. Victory is ours.
I had already boycotted Channel 19/Channel 43 as well. Their tactics are horrendous and they only sensationalize. TMC news, are there any ramifications through the legal system that you could utilize to penalize them for utilizing your pictures?
The only thing worse than sensationalizing the news is fabricating the news.
On occasion a young reporter will mess up on a story. Reporters are human just like everbody else.
But, lets be honest when it comes to tv news the standards are so low they encourage reporters to create a story... the truth be damned.
If you want to hurt them don't talk to them. Give exclusive information to people you trust and let WOIO know why they get the official report from the OIC and nothing more.
It's easy to bash reporters, it's almost a sport for us. They aren't all bad and some of them really do their best to tell the story with accuracy and class.
As for 19, don't walk up to my cruiser because I will send you back to Cleveland.
It wasn't that long ago that someone from LCSO almost took one from the scene in cuffs.. nuff said
You should absolutely sue them. You informed them that the photo was your property and they ran it anyway. That is copyright infringment.
Trust me, they will write you a check rather than have the case go forward.
Besides, they don't have very good attorneys, just ask the Browns!
This sucks.
And in one form or another has happened to me (my photos were stolen for use in a political attack ad mailer) and a blogger friend of mine (photo used for attack political TV ad)
I believe, and perhaps someone can correct me if I'm wrong - but digital cameras and photographs have been found to have a unique individual "fingerprints" - so that if one had to, one could match the image up with the camera that took it.
Not sure if this is worth persuing, but my heart goes out to you on this TMC.
The lawsuit idea is a great one. There are laws that protect your work and if you informed them not to use the pictures, they will have no choice but to pay you.
That's the only way to teach them a lesson.
I'll join the boycott too. Anybody got idea on how we can publicize the boycott beyond this site?
This is beyond acceptable. Scott has documented on WoM the abuses of online content by other sources, and now this. Is there anyone out there with legal expertise that could advise us how we can right these wrongs? If something isn't done, some waves made about this, it will only continue. And Channel 19 would be the perfect target to serve up as a sacrifice.
After reading this story I watched 19 news for a couple nights. It amazes me that anyone could watch them on a regular basis. But then people watch jerry springer and alike so I guess this station has viewers. My husband and I talked about this the other night and I said it would be nice if the people at tmc news could get some money and an apology from 19 news. My husband said, and I am afraid he is right, these people feel that they are above everything and everybody and nothing will get them to change or to admit they are wrong. The best we can do is NEVER watch them again and encourage our family and friends to do the same. I too will be sending letters to their advertisers to let them know that as long as they fund that news they will not have me as a customer.
If everybody boycotted WOIO how would anybody know? Could the ratings get any lower?
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